X5D - Warning, Use Sup. Fuel Filler with Caution!

[SJCFlyer]

Having put more than 200,000 miles on an '87 300TD, I've filled diesel tanks quite a few times without any issue or need for any different type of "filler extension".

I was a little surprised when my '11 X5d had a clear plastic "jar" in the cargo hold with a black plastic funnel of sorts. It was noted for use "when required for larger diesel filler pumps. Now, I had used truck stops that have some large hoses (but still never had a problem with the 300TD), so I filed it in the back of my mind.

But, Sunday I filled up at an unfamiliar Chevron that was certainly not a truck stop...and I was really surprised when the filler wouldn't fit within the restrictor hole. Okay, no big deal. I'll just put on the supplimental extender and fill it up ~ and I did...

Things were great...then, BAM! The auto off clicked as fuel rocketed out of the extender tube down the side of the X5 (including fender lip, wheel and tire!) and made a puddle two feet across of fuel! WTF!

I guess with that attachment, the regular sensor in the pump doesn't accurately read if the tank is "full" until it's comin' out! This is my only time using it, but I'll never put the lock on the pump when using it again!

[ChuckG]

I have found that some pumps have bent outlets and I can get them to work by turning the handle 90 degrees.

I have never used a truck pump so I have not tried to use extender tube.

Chuck

[GoVols!]

The only times Ive needed it are when the station uses normal gas handles on the diesel pump and the nozzle is too small to open the hatch. I never go to that station again. I have two stations in town that I buy 99% of my fuel from. Both are next door to hospitals and have heavy ambulance traffic, hence, fresh diesel.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by SJCFlyer

Having put more than 200,000 miles on an '87 300TD, I've filled diesel tanks quite a few times without any issue or need for any different type of "filler extension".

I was a little surprised when my '11 X5d had a clear plastic "jar" in the cargo hold with a black plastic funnel of sorts. It was noted for use "when required for larger diesel filler pumps. Now, I had used truck stops that have some large hoses (but still never had a problem with the 300TD), so I filed it in the back of my mind.

But, Sunday I filled up at an unfamiliar Chevron that was certainly not a truck stop...and I was really surprised when the filler wouldn't fit within the restrictor hole. Okay, no big deal. I'll just put on the supplimental extender and fill it up ~ and I did...

Things were great...then, BAM! The auto off clicked as fuel rocketed out of the extender tube down the side of the X5 (including fender lip, wheel and tire!) and made a puddle two feet across of fuel! WTF!

I guess with that attachment, the regular sensor in the pump doesn't accurately read if the tank is "full" until it's comin' out! This is my only time using it, but I'll never put the lock on the pump when using it again!

SO SORRY this happened, BUT.....When I took delivery of my '11 35d about 1.5 months ago, there was a BIG CAUTION, WARNING right on the extender tube and packaging that warns, that the automatic fuel cut off when filling will NOT WORK when using the extender. So, while it sucks this happened...BMW did warn about it

Also, at least here in So. California...Diesel pumps are never the same as gasoline pumps (they are differently sized and always Green!). The 2 Chevrons and 1 Shell station that I have used (the Shell station catering mainly to BIG trucks!)...the pumps both fit perfectly in my 35d as well as the big rigs that I diesel up next to! Makes my 35d feel like a Matchbox car

[SkipSauls]

Originally Posted by GoVols!

The only times Ive needed it are when the station uses normal gas handles on the diesel pump and the nozzle is too small to open the hatch. I never go to that station again. I have two stations in town that I buy 99% of my fuel from. Both are next door to hospitals and have heavy ambulance traffic, hence, fresh diesel.

At all of the stations I've used in Colorado the adapter isn't needed, although one was "bent" and needed to be turned, as described by ChuckG. On a trip through Nebraska a couple of weeks ago the pumps were fine everywhere except for Lexington, where the nozzles at two different stations were either too big or too small. I've seen them being too big when fueling my diesel pickup, but even those could be used so long as you "managed" the high flow rates that some of them have. Being too small wasn't a problem on the truck as it didn't have the door like the X5.

Back to Lexington, the X5 was filled with luggage and the extension was somewhere in the underfloor storage. It's always fun to unload everything when it's 5-10 degrees F and windy! The extension worked well enough, and at least on those pumps the automatic shutoff worked correctly. However, I still managed to get some diesel on my hands and couldn't quite get rid of the smell using the weak soap at a McDonald's.

Ah well, the X5 was getting 25 to 27 mpg, even in the extreme cold and with a headwind, so it wasn't like I had to fill up that often!

[SJCFlyer]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

SO SORRY this happened, BUT.....When I took delivery of my '11 35d about 1.5 months ago, there was a BIG CAUTION, WARNING right on the extender tube and packaging that warns, that the automatic fuel cut off when filling will NOT WORK when using the extender. So, while it sucks this happened...BMW did warn about it

Hmm. I'm pretty dilligent about reading/seeing warnings like that. I didn't see it, but I'm going to check. Thank goodness I wasn't all dress up when it happened!

[SJCFlyer]

Originally Posted by SkipSauls

Back to Lexington, the X5 was filled with luggage and the extension was somewhere in the underfloor storage. It's always fun to unload everything when it's 5-10 degrees F and windy!

I'm assuming all E90s are the same. I "discovered" an additional storage area immediately to the left as your looking in from the tail gate. I houses a bunch of electronics, but in that easily accessible space (which has a deep plastic bin built in) I've got the following to fit with room to spare:

• Gas filler extender in clear plastic jar
• Slime High Capacity Air Pump in case (I swapped out run flats)
• Puncture repair "T" with various size "plugs"
• Jumbo sized can of fix-a-flat type sealent (I've got 20")
• Bottle of spray detailer
• 3 ~ 4 Micro fiber rags

All of it ease easy to get to!
Oh, and I'm waiting on my parts to arrive so that my cargo floor will stay up when I'm loading the cargo hold (too hard to do it 1-handed!). Best $64 I'll have ever spent! (Thanks BMW for the decontenting!)

[alexmish]

I found that the filer adaptor is actually for SMALLER nozzles, not large ones. And I had exactly same experience as you've described.... The auto shutoff should work with the adapter, but I dont trust it and just use to fill up to 7/8 full.

[SJCFlyer]

Hmm. Smaller nozzels through a larger hole -- maybe I'm tired, but my Fisher-Price brain says that shouldn't be a problem. Large nozzel through small hole - that's a quandry. I though about just trying to hold it there...and realized the potential mess from "drinking from a fire hose" -- but kinda got the same result.

You can bet I'll never keep the "auto lock" on the nozzel again (but how are you supposed to know when it's full?

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by SJCFlyer

Hmm. Smaller nozzels through a larger hole -- maybe I'm tired, but my Fisher-Price brain says that shouldn't be a problem.

New BMW diesels feature incorrect fueling protection system — Autoblog Green