Engine Malfunction #2 Cause Found?

[London Lad]

Although amusing, maybe the forum is better off without all the duff information ?

[Thunder22]

So much love.... I don't feel worthy



Eh, who am I kidding, you're all just lining up for a cut of the $10k

[Penguin]

For reference, this is the original post in this thread:

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Engine Malfunction #2 Cause Found?
Started my 35d today with 39 miles until empty showing on the onboard (gas station was closed last night) at 10:30 when I left work.

Started down a steep 10% hill, and all of the sudden "Engine Malfunction, Reduced Power" warning comes on.

This is the second time this has happened. However, the last time it happened I had a FULL TANK of Diesel fuel.

However, when it happened last, it was after parking it on a 10% hill, for about 30-mins., then coming out and starting it.

To me, this appears to be a fuel pump issue. I have 4,000 miles on my 35d and live in the Bay Area where 10% hills are commonplace.

There does not appear to be any type of failure with the fuel pump, as it should either work or not work, in my opinion. But, it appears that the manner by which the fuel pump is placed is not adequate to siphon fuel under certain circumstances.

Or, there's a true issue with the pump, but it's remarkably odd and I'm 100% it's confined to the fuel pump.

I understand it taking place with a near empty tank, but with a full tank?

Luckily, I limped to the gas station, at about 3 miles per hour (literally), filled it with 20-gallons and was on my way with no further issue. I was entirely confident the vehicle would start fine with fuel.

So what's the deal? There were 2.5 gallons of fuel left, but does anyone know I'm guessing there's a gallon tied up in the fuel delivery system at any given time, which would have left 1.5 gallons left.

Still, that's quite a bit and a 10% hill is just not that uncommon, in many parts of the world.

Any thoughts? Similar circumstances on hills, etc.? Has this taken place with anyone on a flat surface with a full tank of fuel?
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The Google cache works well....

[Michelle]

HAHA! SWEET!!!

Originally Posted by Penguin

For reference, this is the original post in this thread:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine Malfunction #2 Cause Found?
Started my 35d today with 39 miles until empty showing on the onboard (gas station was closed last night) at 10:30 when I left work.

Started down a steep 10% hill, and all of the sudden "Engine Malfunction, Reduced Power" warning comes on.

This is the second time this has happened. However, the last time it happened I had a FULL TANK of Diesel fuel.

However, when it happened last, it was after parking it on a 10% hill, for about 30-mins., then coming out and starting it.

To me, this appears to be a fuel pump issue. I have 4,000 miles on my 35d and live in the Bay Area where 10% hills are commonplace.

There does not appear to be any type of failure with the fuel pump, as it should either work or not work, in my opinion. But, it appears that the manner by which the fuel pump is placed is not adequate to siphon fuel under certain circumstances.

Or, there's a true issue with the pump, but it's remarkably odd and I'm 100% it's confined to the fuel pump.

I understand it taking place with a near empty tank, but with a full tank?

Luckily, I limped to the gas station, at about 3 miles per hour (literally), filled it with 20-gallons and was on my way with no further issue. I was entirely confident the vehicle would start fine with fuel.

So what's the deal? There were 2.5 gallons of fuel left, but does anyone know I'm guessing there's a gallon tied up in the fuel delivery system at any given time, which would have left 1.5 gallons left.

Still, that's quite a bit and a 10% hill is just not that uncommon, in many parts of the world.

Any thoughts? Similar circumstances on hills, etc.? Has this taken place with anyone on a flat surface with a full tank of fuel?
-------------------------------------------------------------------

The Google cache works well....

[quackbury]

He's BAAAACK! New X5, new (likely) imaginary issues, new diatribes:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...lp-needed.html

[mysweetx5]

happened to me twice the same way, while going up a little hill...engine cut-off while my dashboard cluster showing me that the gas range in the tank were approximatively: 35 miles ahead left to go. So, if the gas left in the tank were about: 35 miles ahead to go, what would be the reason for the engine to ran out of gas that quick???

The caused of this symptom: fuel pump and fuel filter.
I've replaced my fuel filter only, every since I never experience this crap

(01 X5 4.4i)

[dieselpres]

I have a similar problem with my 2011 x5 though with 34000 miles. I get a reduced power display however when I slow down it goes off. Had it to the dealer with no luck.

I would like to make a comment about fuel temp and cooling. I own and operate a fuel injection (Bosch Authorized) and vehicle repair business for the past 28 years. Since the change to common rail diesel systems fuel temperature is a big issue. BMW, Ford, GM really does not matter. They all use almost identical Bosch fuel systems. With pressures in excess of 30000 psi now days the fuel get very hot very fast. Many vehicles including all the new domestic diesel have "fuel cooler" on them. The Dmax has what looks like a little trans cooler on the frame by the tank. The diesel fuel is used for cooling, while it is not a good heat transfer agent it still is used to take heat away from the injectors and pump system.

There are some people that like to as I term it run on the top half of the tank and those that run on the bottom half all the time. We see way more problems with the fuel system on customers vehicle if they are the "bottom half" kind of guys. 10 to 18 gallons for fuel will absorb and dissipate way more heat than 4 or 5 gallons. It also takes much longer to heat up 10 to 18 than 4 or 5. We have had vehicles in our shop in the middle of summer with a 1/4 tank of fuel on the guage that you cannot hold your hand on the bottom of the tank because it is so hot.

I am not a chemist but I think diesel fuel tends to break down and oxidize when it gets to a certain temp. We have seen this in high hp ag engine used in harvesters. Actual fuel breakdown when an refinery missed putting in a temperature stabalizer additive. Over 200000 worth of damage fuel systems from 2 semi loads of "defective" fuel. Turned to a brown sludge.

Anyway I started a new post on the "reduced power" display. Would appreciate any help out there.

Thanks

[Ekshah]

Originally Posted by ABMW

Started my 35d today with 39 miles until empty showing on the onboard (gas station was closed last night) at 10:30 when I left work.

Started down a steep 10% hill, and all of the sudden "Engine Malfunction, Reduced Power" warning comes on.

This is the second time this has happened. However, the last time it happened I had a FULL TANK of Diesel fuel.

However, when it happened last, it was after parking it on a 10% hill, for about 30-mins., then coming out and starting it.

To me, this appears to be a fuel pump issue. I have 4,000 miles on my 35d and live in the Bay Area where 10% hills are commonplace.

There does not appear to be any type of failure with the fuel pump, as it should either work or not work, in my opinion. But, it appears that the manner by which the fuel pump is placed is not adequate to siphon fuel under certain circumstances.

Or, there's a true issue with the pump, but it's remarkably odd and I'm 100% it's confined to the fuel pump.

I understand it taking place with a near empty tank, but with a full tank?

Luckily, I limped to the gas station, at about 3 miles per hour (literally), filled it with 20-gallons and was on my way with no further issue. I was entirely confident the vehicle would start fine with fuel.

So what's the deal? There were 2.5 gallons of fuel left, but does anyone know I'm guessing there's a gallon tied up in the fuel delivery system at any given time, which would have left 1.5 gallons left.

Still, that's quite a bit and a 10% hill is just not that uncommon, in many parts of the world.

Any thoughts? Similar circumstances on hills, etc.? Has this taken place with anyone on a flat surface with a full tank of fuel?

Strangest thing on my 2009 x5 4.8i - engine malfunction..blah blah..
Car starts vibrating in p.
Read online, opened and closed the gas cap. Done. Haven't seen it yet.
Will keep y'all posted..