Fuel pump issue? (topic beaten to death, I know)

[diesel77]

On Tuesday I took delivery of a brand new 2009 335i. As you can all probably relate, I could not wait to get in the car and take it home. The SA told me about the break in period and I have been extremely careful not to rev the engine past 4.5k rpms.

So tonight, after working 60 hours already this week, I decided to take a little spin on some nice back roads around town. It was a blast flying through corners and revving her up to 4.5k (can't imagine what 6-6.5 will be like!). After stopping at a stop sign I threw in first turned right and started off. However she didn't want to go. There was no acceleration and then the "Service Engine Soon" light came on. I flipped out. :eyecrazy

The drive home was three or four miles and she was very shaky below 2k rpm. Above that it was smoother but still no acceleration. When I got her in the garage I checked her out - not that I know what I am looking at - but nothing seemed wrong. After some time I started her back up and let her run for a few minutes. The SES light never came back on, but I am concerned how she might react in the morning. Obviously I am going to call the dealership in the morning, but just wondering if any of you might have some insight. From my research the symptoms sound similar to the failing fuel pumps. But is this even possible after 3 days and 170 miles!? Might this be a record?

Thanks for listening and any insight you may be able to provide. I was so excited to be in the bimmer club, but now...

[KPACOTKA]

If you had fuel pump issue, then your car hesitated to start engine. It doesn't look like your case.

[mryakan]

Probably bad gas.

[diesel77]

Bad gas? That's funny because I haven't put gas in it yet. Ony BMW has.

Well, she seems to be fine today. My CA said it sounded like she went into limp mode and that if there were any more problems to bring it in. Otherwise, he said to just drive it as normal. We'll see...

[Beer Goggles]

When my Pump went it did what you said. It sounded like it blew up then ran like crap. In the morning when the tow truck came it sounded fine with no lights or SES at all (in fact it didn't come on when it happened).

When it was tested the High Pressure test failed.


Take it to the dealer and don't listen to people who don't have HPFP or had the problem. :)

[TeamSlowdotOrg]

Just had the HPFP replaced on wife's car, similar symptoms.

[budman1]

Very likely could be the HPP. Also could be an injector issue. Take it to the dealer and have them pull the codes and diagnose the problem.

[imlostathome]

high pressure fuel pump 100% but i usually see them fail at 15k-25k miles

[mark325]

Not exactly warming if it is the fuel pump, I was under the impression the majority of these failures were on the early builds, but if this turns out to be in fact another fuel pump failure it would appear they have failed to resolve the problem.

[TeaRoy]

I would have them run the code, there will be a record since the SES light came on. My fuel pump went bad and it sounded similar to your problem...though what you experienced could be just bad gas, or something with the timing. I would get the code checked and document that you were there. If it recurrs, then you have a beef that it needs addressed (if it is the HPFP) before you're limp on the side of the road.

[Beer Goggles]

It still runs when the pump goes, it just sounds like you ripped the exhaust off and have an old 4-cylinder in there.

When they tested my pump it didn't go to 50 bar it only when to 35-40 bar, which isn't high enough to run properly.

[Takashi]

Go to the dealership and ask the SA to plug a computer to your car and read the code(s). The dealership might need your car for a day to perform required tests. A code read will be more reliable than listening to other people's experiences since everybody could be wrong.

At the meantime make sure you monitor the car's performance. Check your gas cap to make sure it is tight and there is no water build up near the edges. It is also possible that when the dealership filled up your car water might be introduced into the gas tank. (Oh YES, it's possible: Human being are prone to making errors). Water might be introduced into the gas tank if the technician decides to fill your car up after it is washed.

I am more inching towards bad gas / cylinder mis-fire than fuel pump simply because of the age of the car. Go to the dealership and report the findings if you can.