FUEL PROBLEMS

[cpoindexter]

I have a 1987 e30 325e. The other day I was driving and i eased onto the accelerator and the car just fell on its face like it lost all fuel. I turned off the ignition and it worked fine until a minute later till it did the same thing. Now i cant even drive it on the road. Everytime i get on the gas hard it falls on its face. what should i do?

[Tristo!]

My car does that sometimes, or it'll die at a stop. when a car Dies like that, and it feels like it's not getting any fuel...it's probably not. I'm no mechanic, but I have an 85 318i, and I've had to trouble shoot quite a bit. Have you changed your fuel filter? Try that, then the pump, you can get them on Ebay for cheap if you shop. (I got mine for less then a bill) If it's working off and on, it's definetly a fuel delivery problem, and your best best is to replace the cheapest to the most expensive, or go to a shop and pay for a few hours of Diagnosis. Welcome to the E30 experience :-p

[cpoindexter]

yes i have already replaced the fuel filter. im thinking it is either an injector or the fuel pump. im gonna hook up a fuel pressure gauge and see whats going on. Have u ever heard of like as self safe mode on the cars? i heard that their is a type of mode and it protects against burglary. i guess u just have to hook up to a computer to withdraw from that mode. i dont know

[bmwordrive]

i WOULD CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP BEFORE FILTER. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE

[cpoindexter]

alright. is it true that there is two fuel pumps on the car? on in the tank and another nearby?

[ANDRÜ]

I had similar problems on my 1987 325e. Turns out it was the fuel pump. The pump wasnt bad, it was just clogged with shit. I would say replace the fuel filter, and possible take out the pump and see if anythings wrong. Filter replacement is a must try.

[Tag]

this may help since we did this not long ago to an E30...

First off, there is a fail problem with the sending unit (IE: fuel pump in tank) fails commonly after 100k miles (cost for pump is about 250 USD), it's located under the passenger side rear seat, easy access under a metal plate, if the pump in the sending unit is bad it will make NO sound prior to starting the car in contact mode,

next; if this one is good, there should be a slight smooth buzz sound from the pump in the line under the vehicle (this one you can visually see under car on passenger side in front of rear wheel area)

if both are good check the Fuel inj. relay it's the second one from the back at the driver side of engine in a 3-4 relay cluster, there is a black rectangular plastic cover on them

grab another relay from say ... abs?... and use it to switch and test to see if it's faulty, place back the abs one if your abs works...lol cheers.
Tag

PS: keep track of the damn fuel filters!..lol yeah...change them once a year , please

[cpoindexter]

Originally Posted by Tag

this may help since we did this not long ago to an E30...

First off, there is a fail problem with the sending unit (IE: fuel pump in tank) fails commonly after 100k miles (cost for pump is about 250 USD), it's located under the passenger side rear seat, easy access under a metal plate, if the pump in the sending unit is bad it will make NO sound prior to starting the car in contact mode,

next; if this one is good, there should be a slight smooth buzz sound from the pump in the line under the vehicle (this one you can visually see under car on passenger side in front of rear wheel area)

if both are good check the Fuel inj. relay it's the second one from the back at the driver side of engine in a 3-4 relay cluster, there is a black rectangular plastic cover on them

grab another relay from say ... abs?... and use it to switch and test to see if it's faulty, place back the abs one if your abs works...lol cheers.
Tag

PS: keep track of the damn fuel filters!..lol yeah...change them once a year , please

well it doesnt make any noise until i attempt to start it. no noise is made when i turn the ignition on. i hear buzzing behind the drivers seat but it seems over bearingly loud. i am replacing the fuel pump inside the tank because of a recent incident.

[Tag]

yeah it should be barely noticeable noise so it may be at fault, best of luck.
Tag