NP5 (Newbie post number 5 -- prelude to my '91-95 5er E34 search.)

Right now I'm in the midst of paying for my mistake of carelessly
mucking up what was supposed to be a simple job. My 1987 Volvo 740
would stall when the tank got below 1/4 and I made a turn. Usually
this is a sign of a failing in-tank fuel pump, intermediate hose on
the in-tank sender sucking air, or maybe a clogged in-tank filter.

While removing my in-tank sender last night, I broke some soldered
wires that connected inside the unit, so rather than attempt a
dangerous repair, I am going to pay $75 for a replacement at the parts
yard.

BMW question: Would a '91-95 E34 525i have an in-tank fuel pump and/or
sender? If so, after 10X,XXX miles I would assume it might need
attention. Just curious what the fuel filtration system / pump system
is on these cars?

Thanks!

Jamie

"JamieB" <jamiebabineaux (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

The main fuel pump is located in the tank with the fuel level sender.
It's a question of leave it alone until it goes wrong. Then fix it.
If it is working as it should, no maintenance is required.
Mike.

On Mar 30, 3:54 pm, "Mike G" <met... (AT) lycos (DOT) co.uk> wrote:
Understood. Is the sender usually accessible, like via an access point
in the trunk?

JamieB wrote:
Yes.

No. But if it fails it can be a PITA to get to. Some cars require
cutting the carpeting to access the hatch above the fuel tank(s).

Just curious what the fuel filtration system / pump system
Filter is external.


--
-Fred W

"JamieB" <jamiebabineaux (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

I have a '94 525i SE E34. I'm fairly sure on mine it's accessed via a cover
in the boot, but on some BMW's the cover is under the back seat squab.
In my car it's never given any trouble, so I can't be certain without
checking, of where it's fitted.
Once the cover is removed, it's a simple job to remove the fuel tank sender
and pump unit.
Mike.

On 30 Mar 2007 12:49:55 -0700, "JamieB" <jamiebabineaux (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:


Check it yourself here

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do...one=ECE&arch=0


Sir Hugh of Bognor

The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!

Hugh Gundersen
hsg (AT) h-gee (DOT) co.uk
Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK

On Mar 30, 5:10 pm, h... (AT) h-gee (DOT) co.uk wrote:
Thanks!

The link made me go through the drill, but here is an image of a 1994
E34 M50 525i fuel sender. Looks pretty standard:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...0247613&size=o

Also, there are sometimes 2 filters and 2 pumps on cars. For my 1987
Volvo the fuel tank pump is the "pre-pump" with a sock filter. It
sends fuel to the main pump and main filter under the car.

That's mainly why I was curious of this setup.

Jamie

On Mar 30, 5:10 pm, h... (AT) h-gee (DOT) co.uk wrote:
Thanks!

The link made me go through the drill, but here is an image of a 1994
E34 M50 525i fuel sender. Looks pretty standard:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...0247613&size=o

Also, there are sometimes 2 filters and 2 pumps on cars. For my 1987
Volvo the fuel tank pump is the "pre-pump" with a sock filter. It
sends fuel to the main pump and main filter under the car.

That's mainly why I was curious of this setup.

Jamie

"JamieB" <jamiebabineaux (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote in message

Earlier E34's have a similar system. 2 pumps. A transfer pump in the tank
with the sender, and a main pump in te fuel line..
Mike.

On Mar 30, 10:02 pm, "JamieB" <jamiebabine... (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Sometimes (quite often?) the senders fail because a wire comes loose
or the contacts get dirty but they're easy to fix. Very often there
are two senders in each half of the tank.

Now quit asking questions and go buy one!