HELP! Stumbled Died, Now it Won't Restart..

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Surprise that you didn't come upon this article in your many Hours of researching electrical fuel pump failure.

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...-cheryl-knight

or this one

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...stly/index.htm

Of course I read those. The examples of why do not apply to the x5. Think of It this way: it does apply but only when you consider the x5 thinks it has a 2 gallon gas tank literally.

So yes, not a good idea to run the tank below 1/2 a gallon left in the reserve tank (happens about 1.5 gallons below empty).

The x5 exclusively consumes fuel from the "last 2 gallons" well on the right side of the tank. It takes maybe 0.5 gallons to completely cover the fuel pump.

It means that yes, those things mentioned apply but for x5 rather than 1/4 of a tank it's closer to 1/50 th of a tank. Because the x5's tank from the fuel pumps perspective is 2 gallons not 25.

There is absolutely no difference to the engine nor the fuel supply system (when operational) from 10 gal on the gauge to 3 gal on the gauge to -1gal on the gauge (on level ground).

Climbing hills: probably best to have at least
1-2 gallons indicated (right about when the low fuel light comes on).

Not sure the point trying to prove. The whole quarter tank is good philosophy just plain does not apply to the BMW X5. May well apply to the vast majority of cars

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by upallnight

In all my years of driving the X5 I have never been stranded by the side of the road, you, however, have been stranded twice. My X is currently at 158,000 miles with the original fuel pump.



Besides, if I do get stranded there's always AAA.

160,000 miles is only 27mph average based on Midwest expected life of a fuel pump.

My wife's car was used as a kiddie courier and probably has closer to 21 mph average which would make its expected life 130,000 miles.

I was stranded BECAUSE of wife's practice is always filling up at quarter of a tank. That is why my mission is to educate x5 owners so they understand the fuel system

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by Best4x4xFAR

Well, Looks like we are back in business.
It was kind of a pain draining down the fuel pump's well and getting the shavings cleaned out, and the flange on the Delphi pump is just a tiny bit thicker than the OEM pump, so it needed some additional 'persuasion' to seat deep enough for the locking ring to be able engage, but otherwise went pretty smoothly..

I just got my Delphi fuel pump in mail from Rock Auto and opened to see the Delphi box wedged extremely well in with air pillows.
Then I opened the Delphi box and pump was in many pieces. Looked like an Ikea parts box.
There was no packaging to stop the fuel pump/level sender unit from bouncing around everywhere inside that box.
The fuel filter was broken off bottom of pump (it's pressure fit on with a - beige color in pic - plastic nipple on the pump body that presses into a snap ring on the filter) and this nipple was broken off. I'm debating to just gorilla glue the trophy parts together as it would not affect the way the filter works at all. And I've read gorilla glue holds perfectly fine in fuel.
The level sender sits on an arm and then a press cap sits on the arm to avoid the sender pad from coming off... It's quite loose and I worry it could fall off over time.
I can fix all these tiny imperfections (heck I could perhaps use the factory level sender arm and bits) but I just hate that it came this way!
Even if I return it it could be the same way with next fuel pump. So I will probable glue the filter on and Frankenstein the two sender units to one perfect.


Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[andrewwynn]

Wow what a frustrating thing. I've been there done that and got the t-shirt for sure. I typically will repair rather than send back as you pointed out what are the odds packing any better the next time.

The press on caps you can buy locally but option 2 is a snap ring: you can cut a groove in seconds with a Dremel and put on a proper clip rather than the goofy axle nut.



Above is an example how I replaced an axle nut (push on) with a snap ring.

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Above is an example how I replaced an axle nut (push on) with a snap ring.

thats the exact same thinking I'm having all around! thanks for reply

[andrewwynn]

I never liked push on nuts. The other option not as tricky as it seams: cotter key. Drill a hole crosswise, use a washer and cross pin (not actual cotter key, but maybe stainless steel wire and bend like "S")

[andrewwynn]

@clockwork: did you get it patched and installed?

[Clockwork]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

@clockwork: did you get it patched and installed?

I decided to return it. I was thinking what else could be wrong with it. It seems like the Delphi box was missing shipping Styrofoam or something inside to hold the parts in place and I got to thinking what if something else broke inside that I cant see... why chance it. Its not like I need the fuel pump at the moment anyhow.

[jsoto]

Just for the wiki. In the OE, the assembly just sit inside the box, and then there is a small notch/holder where the level arm sits into a slot - thus holding the entire thing from moving around in the box

[Clockwork]

WOW, am I glad I sent that POS back and got Rock Auto to ship another. First Off Thank you Rock Auto for your AMAZING customer Service. So polite and FAST FAST FAST.
I received my new one today and upon opening the Delphi box (which was taped shut this time), it was this time full of green packing paper folded up and the assembly (arm and float were sitting in box to side but wrapped as well) was bubble wrapped a boatload. the assembly looks VERY VERY different than the one I received a week ago today.
it seems likea whole revamped model. Pump sits in a different holder, which is at an angle now. Wiring looks VERY SOLID at the connections and wiring is zip tied to the black fuel hose. All in all a different looking housing/assembly and I couldnt be more pleased with how everything turned out.