Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

[GNP]

Originally Posted by dok47

if your X5 cant start or dies after few seconds check fuel. Gauge might be showing wrong LOL it sounds stupid but i had lots of checking and computer diagnostics with different error codes untill I opened tank to check pumo and found that is dry. never had this issue before and i was sure it must be at least 20 liters little bit off topic but just wanna say never trust gauges it can make u look stupid like i did
Have a nice day

dok47,

My 2001 X5 4.4i has a saddle bag gas tank and there is an extra fuel pump to pump the fuel from one saddle bag to the other.

If that extra pump fails, one of the saddle bags will run dry, while the gas gauge still shows 20 liters, since there is still fuel in the other saddle bag where the gauge is.

So actually, you only have 10 liters left, since the 20 liters is all on one side and the other side is dry. If the 20 liters was half pumped over to the other side, the guage would only show 10 liters left.

Howvere, the primary fuel pump is located in the saddlebag that is dry and thus you can't start the engine, even though you have fuel in the tank on the other side.

As long as you always keep at least a 1/4 tank of gas, you should not have to replace the broken pump, since a 1/4 tank is high enough to spill over the top or the hump in the saddle bags.

I had to replace the fuel filter at the same time that I replaced my broken secondary fuel pump. However, the fuel filter on my 2001 X5 4.4i was not made to be replaced.

So the secret here is that if you run out of gas and the gauge still shows 20 liters or so, just put more fuel it it and you'll be good to go, no need for a tow. However, you still would have to get the gas delivered to your vehicle.