Knowing when to replace the old fuel pump

[gabylonfive]

Bit of a silly question, but where is it? Sounds like it’s under the hood on the passenger side, but I can’t be sure.

the pump is located under the rear bench, passenger side. easy diy.

[old///MFanatic]

Bit of a silly question, but where is it? Sounds like it’s under the hood on the passenger side, but I can’t be sure.

Nah it’s under the back bench. On the back right side(USA passenger’s). Pull up the rear bench. It’s held in by a circular metal ring and dips down into the tank. There’s many DIYs out on how to do it. Tapping the securing ring/plate to unscrew it and fitting new gasket are the hardest part. Follow the tricks in the DIYs and it’s not even an hr job.

[Shonky]

Now I just replace my pump every two years. While the factory pumps have good performance, they have not been reliable for me.

That seems very excessive

[BCEXP]

That seems very excessive

Sounds excessive but I've been stranded twice because of failed pumps. Spending $400 every two years for peace of mind doesn't bother me.

[01SG]

YUP! Happened to me twice. Now I just replace my pump every two years. While the factory pumps have good performance, they have not been reliable for me.

There is clearly something else wrong with your car causing the pump to fail, to create symptoms that make you think the pump is the problem, or with the installation if you have had to replace multiple pumps. They can easily last ten or twenty years. I'm quite sure I still have the original on mine. I think I had to replace it on my 540 after fifteen years and hundreds of thousands of miles.

[Shonky]

Sounds excessive but I've been stranded twice because of failed pumps. Spending $400 every two years for peace of mind doesn't bother me.

As above I think you have something else wrong that's killing your pumps.

[LSB4Me]

Nah it’s under the back bench. On the back right side(USA passenger’s). Pull up the rear bench. It’s held in by a circular metal ring and dips down into the tank. There’s many DIYs out on how to do it. Tapping the securing ring/plate to unscrew it and fitting new gasket are the hardest part. Follow the tricks in the DIYs and it’s not even an hr job.

Thanks—watched a few videos on the swap. Seems like an easy diy. My pump is orignal, so 20 years old. Probably time for a new one.

[ac427]

Thanks—watched a few videos on the swap. Seems like an easy diy. My pump is orignal, so 20 years old. Probably time for a new one.

It is an easy job. I've done it a couple of times. Just make sure you have a new rubber seal for the top of the pump (under the blue bit). If you are going with an OEM replacement it will come with a new seal.

Have a bit of rag handy for any excess fuel as you disconnect the fuel line.

[1bluemcm]

Much bigger PITA job on a M coupe, benefits to having a rear seat. Not hard, just a pain, comes out from underneath, best if the tank is empty.

[speedster]

Got a random check engine light and red battery light yesterday after I started the car. Had just driven it fine 10 mins earlier with no lights. Code for additive fuel trim 1 - limit reached. Figured this maybe related to the fuel pump since battery and alternator are good. I do get occasional hesitation on startup. Also probably a good idea to replace the pump anyway given that it's original and 19 years old. Is FCP the best place to buy it? I notice the price has gone up to $535 from a couple years ago. Is there anything else I need to buy other than the pump kit? I notice it says this is the right side fuel pump. Is there a different left pump I need? Thanks!

[sapote]

Got a random check engine light and red battery light yesterday after I started the car. Had just driven it fine 10 mins earlier with no lights. Code for additive fuel trim 1 - limit reached. Figured this maybe related to the fuel pump since battery and alternator are good. I do get occasional hesitation on startup. Also probably a good idea to replace the pump anyway given that it's original and 19 years old. Is FCP the best place to buy it? I notice the price has gone up to $535 from a couple years ago. Is there anything else I need to buy other than the pump kit? I notice it says this is the right side fuel pump. Is there a different left pump I need? Thanks!

If the fuel gauge showing 1/2 tank or less, then I would use the dash hidden display to read L and R tank remain volume and L should be near zero, if not then dying pump. Inpa also can read the tanks.

Only one pump into the R tank.

[Irhase46m3]

Does anyone happen to know the part number for the fuel level sensor sitting on the side of the pump?

[ac427]

Does anyone happen to know the part number for the fuel level sensor sitting on the side of the pump?

If you mean the fuel pump level sensor, it is part of the pump, so a new pump would have to be purchased.

The fuel level sensor for the other (non-pump) side is available but once again you need the whole unit as below:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/en/showparts?id=BL91-EUR-05-2006-E46-BMW-M3&diagId=16_0373

[Irhase46m3]

If you mean the fuel pump level sensor, it is part of the pump, so a new pump would have to be purchased.

The fuel level sensor for the other (non-pump) side is available but once again you need the whole unit as below:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/en/showp...diagId=16_0373

This is not what i meant, i meant the actual sensor on the pump itself that is soldered with two cables, my pump is perfectly fine, however the sensor itself has a lot of wear where the two contacts meet (the metal side of the floatation rod and the PCB board) - was hoping of just swapping it out as opposed to replacing the whole pump. Could always buy a cheap one on amazon, and swap out the sensor i suppose..

[ac427]

This is not what i meant, i meant the actual sensor on the pump itself that is soldered with two cables, my pump is perfectly fine, however the sensor itself has a lot of wear where the two contacts meet (the metal side of the floatation rod and the PCB board) - was hoping of just swapping it out as opposed to replacing the whole pump. Could always buy a cheap one on amazon, and swap out the sensor i suppose..

Well in that case, no it isn't available.

It might cheaper to get a level sensor assembly from the left hand tank.