2002 3.0 X5 engine stops while driving

[80stech]

The right side shouldn't be dropping so I would not be confident about having it fixed.

[andrewwynn]

When left is less than 27, right should be about 1.4. Every car can a different baseline you'll only know when driving steady speed on level road.

It's weird that it shows an implausible number at first but i suspect the key was on at some point with the right side disassembled to put that starting number into memory.

The right side holds exactly 5L of fuel when the left side is lower than the driveshaft hump.

[80stech]

It only takes a few minutes to pull the pump on the right side and then you can have a look at how much fuel is there, if the syphon jet lines and the relief valve are still in place (things can get out of place when pulling on them while working on the other side) and check the connector if there is any problems.

You can tip the seat ahead instead of putting it over the back, might be a bit easier Also like you found out on the other side, be careful when putting the pump back in that the foot goes into the right place, the pump can have a tendency to swing outward and miss.

[kfm]

I got a bunch of stuff going, so didn't get to work on the car today.

I am pretty sure everything is original, since we are the first owner :-)

Yesterday I dropped by a store as part of my testing, coming ut seeing the car in setting sun light, so very pretty it still is. Remembering someone asked to post a pic, so put it on my avatar since I can't seem to get the embedding pic working...

[kfm]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

When left is less than 27, right should be about 1.4. Every car can a different baseline you'll only know when driving steady speed on level road.

It's weird that it shows an implausible number at first but i suspect the key was on at some point with the right side disassembled to put that starting number into memory.

The right side holds exactly 5L of fuel when the left side is lower than the driveshaft hump.

My right side consistently settled down to 3.0-3.1L right now. This seems consistent with "The right side holds exactly 5L of fuel when the left side is lower than the driveshaft hump." Why do you think it should be 1.4L?

I won't get much time to work on it again, so will drive it when I can to get the total close to empty and see if it is still Ok.

[andrewwynn]

Every car can be different, for me that was 1.4L both our E53.

There was 3.6L below the lowest level of the float. (Weighed the remaining gas with a gram scale and did the math to measure). That's how i arrived at the 5.0 number.

I'm not sure the range of normal but most who have given input into the gas tank threads have also said they get similar baseline number.

It would not take much angle difference to change that baseline and i believe you had values lower on the right side before the fix. (Which means the method still applies; you just have a different baseline)

Just monitor test six while watching the left tank drop it should be able to go to zero before the right side drops below the baseline.

If right drops to zero you have to get gas asap. Even with the siphon jet fixed, an aged fuel pump can make for a weak siphon and you can't get all the fuel out of the left tank.

Odds are you're good for now.

Just need to confirm you can get left tank to zero (you will still have 5L of fuel). It's safest to have a Jerry can of fuel with you on the down to zero test but if you are near gas stations it's not necessary you should have 10-15 mile range when the left hits zero.

If right starts dropping before left hits zero then get gas right away. Sign of issue still remains on siphon or the pump itself is weak and doesn't produce enough volume to run the siphon all the way down.

I'm curious about your 3.05 ± .05 reading and suspect the float arm got slightly bent from factory when doing right tank exam. I think i discovered you can pull the float all the way up to remove the whole unit but the first time or three i did it, i pulled the pump out and let the float follow behind, it wasn't smooth.

[kfm]

Finally, I got to drive the car to drain it all the way down to near empty with left side down to 1.3 liter while right side still at 3.1. I supposed it does not take much deviation in the float lever to get a 1.5l difference. The car has never had its right tank opened up, so it must came from factory that way. Any ways at least I can say now the problem is fixed.

Thanks to everyone's help!

[andrewwynn]

Your right side baseline is 3.1. Everybody can have a different value. That's great you got it fixed that's what's xo for


–awr–

Using Tapatalk VIP on iPhone

[kfm]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

...That's great you got it fixed that's what's xo for

Yep! Thanks again!

[cn90]

Glad you got it fixed.

However, I still follow my own trick...

1. In town, fuel tank can be down to 1/4 to 1/8.

2. Long distance driving: I keep fuel above 1/4 at all time.
Not worth the headache...