E53 3.0d - Diesel tank not venting

X-ray Lima · #1 01-10-2016, 09:10 PM

So I thought my sender unit was stuffed due to inaccurate gauge readings (lh sender was reading full when full (55 ltrs) but getting no lower than 33.8 ltrs regardless of how much fuel was in that side of the tank.

Replaced that sender (original part was smashed at the pivot) and all good for one tank. Refilled and now it's playing the same game (this time stopping at 38.2 ltrs).

Pulled the sender, it's smashed at the pivot - again.

The only reason I can compute is that the tank is pressurising and collapsing in on the sender unit, breaking it.

Now, my question is, which part is responsible for controlling venting to the charcoal cannister? I've had a look at the OEM diagrams and it's not clear to me.

Is there a vent, or is the cannister itself stuffed??

Any suggestions??

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g300d · #2 01-10-2016, 11:14 PM

Not familiar with the diesels, but the gassers with emission have a tank vent valve that is controlled by the DME IIRC.

It is located at the rear driver side wheel well under the fender liner.

There would be a code though if this were the problem. Have you checked for any codes?

X-ray Lima · #3 01-10-2016, 11:31 PM

It's not thrown on the CEL but have not checked for codes as yet.

I don't have a dedicated code reader but the OBC in the dash cluster can deliver OBD codes so will check that.

Only problem with those codes in my experience is that they don't seem to correlate with any known scanner codes.

Will suss it out tonight and see if anyone can interpret what I find.

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g300d · #4 01-11-2016, 01:35 AM

Yup that would probably help.

How are you able to display codes from the cluster btw?

X-ray Lima · #5 01-11-2016, 01:53 AM

Follow these instructions and there's a wealth of info available.......

http://www.ronstultz.com/knowledge/Documents/BMW%20X5/BMW%20X5%20-%20Access%20the%20Hidden%20Onboard%20Computer%20(O BC)%20Functions.htm

You'll need to cut and paste it. I tried to link it but it wouldn't play the game.

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g300d · #6 01-11-2016, 02:48 AM

Cant open from that with copy paste but I went to the site and looked for it.

I am familiar with the OBC checks but could not find any section on displaying OBD codes through the cluster.

X-ray Lima · #7 01-11-2016, 03:45 AM

Yeah, it's an odd one. I've spent quite a while pawing over the OBC data and on my vehicle (test 15 from memory) at times it displays "ODB - (and then a code)".

Not sure why the doco doesn't detail that but mine does it.

The problem of course being that none of the displayed codes actually correlate to anything I've ever found. After a reset using a scanner they disappear however so I am confident they are diagnostic codes of some description.

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g300d · #8 01-11-2016, 05:36 AM

Hmm, will look at mine too then, thanks!

Anyway, so just post up any codes if have them, might be a clue to your problem there.

wpoll · #9 01-11-2016, 06:40 AM

The URL had an extra space in it - try this: -

BMW X5 - Access the Hidden Onboard Computer (OBC) Functions.

I don't see any OBD info. there. Same info. as I've I've read elsewhere....

RenoHuskerDu · #10 01-11-2016, 09:15 AM

I see that you live in Oz. You might want to join the xdrivers.uk forum as it's stronger on diesel info. The 3.0d was not sold in North America (NA) to my knowledge and this forum is a bit NA-centric.

I will visit my indy mech in a few days and ask him what he thinks of your question.

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