Runnin out of gas early

[Nexlevmm]

Hi guys,

I just recently did the tune up, and replaced the ignition coil on cylinder 8 because it was misfiring. Lately the car has been running out of gas way before im near Empty. Id still have at least 40 miles in range and it stutters to a hault. Any idea what could be wrong? Car is a 97 iL with 106k on the clock. Any help is appreciated.

[IcemanBHE]

You mean other than not having enough gas?

That is about the WORST thing you can do to a FI car.

I suggest you DONT get below a 1/4 tank, and NEVER run it long after the low indication comes on. That means drive IMMEDIATELY and get gas.

And stop betting your life on the damn range calculation, unless you want to be run over on the highway.

[EisnerRacing]

The mph and range on the on board computer is for factory injectors and factory tune.
I'm assuming it is FI
my e36 says I get 39 mph and about 1/4 tank says I have 120 miles left lol

wrong wrong wrong do not believe the obc unless it's all stock

[Actros617]

I'd suggest you stop letting your car run low on fuel. Its bad for the fuel pump (pump not lubed by fuel) and the engine (lean burn pre-detonation) that range is no very accurate is just a rough approximate

[EisnerRacing]

I e also heard and have proved it
early bmws with the newer style of fuel systems with return lines not using a pressurized gas tank
run badly on less than a 1/4 tank . The miles you get from full to 1/2 is more than 1/2 to empty
I don't let my car get below 1/4 and the others are right 1/4 of gas swishing around the fuel pump can't get a full feed with out sucking bubbles or air around corners

[psjr]

Unlock the cluster and see if you have fuel left in one side more than the other.

[Nexlevmm]

Wow thanks for all the negative feedback. I didnt think running to the corner store after the light came on was a bad thing. -.-

For the record. I dont run my car til empty. I always fill up accordingly. Now based on my usual fill up time my car is acting funny. Can anyone give me any real feedback as to why im running out early. Not some halfassed "fill up earlier comment.

[Mayorchuck]

Did you even try a half-assed Google search? There are tons of threads on this.

[SirReal63]

Wow thanks for all the negative feedback. I didnt think running to the corner store after the light came on was a bad thing. -.-

For the record. I dont run my car til empty. I always fill up accordingly. Now based on my usual fill up time my car is acting funny. Can anyone give me any real feedback as to why im running out early. Not some halfassed "fill up earlier comment.


Hi guys,

I just recently did the tune up, and replaced the ignition coil on cylinder 8 because it was misfiring. Lately the car has been running out of gas way before im near Empty. Id still have at least 40 miles in range and it stutters to a hault. Any idea what could be wrong? Car is a 97 iL with 106k on the clock. Any help is appreciated.

Relax. Your phrasing makes it sound like this a usual occurrence for you, "lately" implies more than once. The advice you were given was meant to let you know not to let the tank get that low, and why. PSJR gave you the clue to what you need to look at first.

[Qsilver7]

As psjr suggested in his post a minute or two before your last one...unlock your OBC and run TEST 6...it will reveal what the 2 fuel level sensors are reading.

Each level sensor will read their half of the tank...which is seen in screen 1 of TEST 6...the left side goes to "0" liters" first, then the 2nd level sensor...the 3rd number in screen 1 is the approx liters of fuel left in the tank. Although the tank goes down equally on both sides...(not left to right) as some presume from reading the level sensor info...when there's approx 2 gallons left, the LOW FUEL warning light is illuminated to indicate that the reserve level is reached.

If for some reason, one of the fuel level sensors is acting up...it could be the cause of your incorrect fuel amount...so unlock your OBC and run the TEST to confirm.

Screen 2 of TEST 6 also will let you know if both sensors are reading OK or if the system is afoul (PHASE 1 means both fuel level sensors is OK)


http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Test%206%20Fuel%20Tank%20Level%20Sensors%20High%20 Cluster.jpg

TEST 6 (screen 1) verifies that approx 2.8 liters of fuel from left sensor + 35.2 liters of fuel from right sensor is approx equal to half a tank of fuel consumed...note position of needle on fuel gauge confirms TEST 6's data.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/OBC%20TEST%206%20-%20remaining%20fuel%20in%20tank.JPG


TEST 6 (screen 2)
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/OBC%20TEST%206%20-%20Remaining%20Fuel%20in%20Tank%201.jpg


Instructions on how to UNLOCK the cluster (OBC)...and a brief description of TEST 6:


http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2537/1861/31340930099_large.jpg

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2537/1861/31340930097_large.jpg

[007008]

Or... If you have the 80 liter tank, when the low fuel light comes on, you have 9 liters left. Fill the tank. If you put in 71 liters your gauge is correct and you have a pickup problem, if you put in more like 76 or 77 you have a gauge problem. Less than 71 then the gas isn't transferring over.

[Jamesbond740il]

Your tank is either collapsed, or your transfer pump is bad, my guess would be a crushed/collapsed tank.

[IcemanBHE]

Relax. Your phrasing makes it sound like this a usual occurrence for you, "lately" implies more than once. The advice you were given was meant to let you know not to let the tank get that low, and why. PSJR gave you the clue to what you need to look at first.

Agreed.


Lately the car has been running out of gas way before im near Empty.

Thats about all I read. :)

[wastedincome]

I'm betting you have a decent dent in your tank/s