When I'm filling up my 128i, it stops pumping before the tank is full

[1HungryMan]

Last two fillups, the gas pumps clicks "full" but then the guage tells me it's only half or three quarters full. Anyone know what this is?? It's really strange and obviously a problem!

Thanks!

[jmexx]

And as you drive, does the meter go up?

Also, are you inserting the nozzle all the way in? I noticed on my last couple of cars, I needed to bring it out just a bit so it wouldn't stop filling up randomly.

[1HungryMan]

Originally Posted by jmexx

And as you drive, does the meter go up?

Also, are you inserting the nozzle all the way in? I noticed on my last couple of cars, I needed to bring it out just a bit so it wouldn't stop filling up randomly.

No, meter stays the same. Don't know if it's the position of the nozzle. :iono:

[wtiger127]

Hey, I had that too. One time I just ended trusting the pump and I was short on the tank. So do 1 of 2 things, 1. Start using another pump at the station or pick another station 2. Pull out the nosel just a little and see it fill-up easier. Also, the problem am having is that am always wanting to round-up to the nearest quarter 41.25 / 41.50 ect whenever am filling up. Problem is I always end up spilling gas because the auto-stop for the pump doesn't function well whenever you use option #2 above. So, just be carefull and no smoking or cell phone as you fill up. best of luck!

[busyguy8]

my 335 does the same thing. sometimes it'll do it after adding just a couple of gallons..

[marsgirl73]

That happened in my last car (wasn't a BMW). The dealer told me that there was something going on with the fueling system and replaced a few parts.

[m7ammed]

There is nothing wrong with the car, usually you just have to put in fuel at a slower rate for this not to happen.

[mtla4]

Mine does the same thing Ive figured that the needle doesnt go all the way up and small gas tank

[Oregon]

Could be an iffy vapor recovery system feedback loop in the pump itself. Happens to me all the time as the pump I like to use is an older unit.

[1HungryMan]

Well I tried pulling the pump out a bit and it worked (this time). Thanks jmexx.

All the differing replies here have left me a bit confused though

[Mic]

Originally Posted by 1HungryMan

Well I tried pulling the pump out a bit and it worked (this time). Thanks jmexx.

All the differing replies here have left me a bit confused though

If it's one like that :



Do it everytime you took this particular pump or gaz station or try somewhere else if you do not want to do this each time. The problem is not your car it's the gaz pump nozzle (some of them are realy ''sensitive'' to ''splask back'' in the pipe coming from your tank and then stop) Trust me I own gaz station many year I know what i'm talking about

(oh...before someone else bring the point, yes the way the pipe is bent between the tank and the filling cap can be a problem and cause this ''spalsh back'' but most of the time it's the nozzle )

And if it's one like that :



It may be caused by pressure in the tank... when pressure in the tank from the fuel rushing in gets to great and cant escape thru the venting system the nozzle clicks off

[instantexpert]

The other possibility (not this case, apparently) is that the fuel level transmitter has failed. This happened in my E46 328i several years ago. I had a full tank but the level reading was much much lower.

[EspressoBoy]

LOL what else will we talk about???,

Remember that the type of tank used in the 1 is designed to only let you add about another 3/4 litre (1.5 cups) and it is going to overfill. Germans say full, they mean FULL!

My old Corolla I would add like 4 times that. But I too had to replace some parts. I was told not to "overfill". So, I guess the advice given here is all accurate.

• Slow the fill when you know it's near the full mark. (if you know that pump will pop before it's full)
• If you nozzle is the older style, do not push it in all the way, leave it out a bit, but not too far.
• Pay attention to filling, this is not your old Corolla! LOL

BTW just wondering... I too have overfllled... What is the advice once you spill it down the car? Should we take the windshield squeegee and wip it off? Let it dry? Take your hands and splash it with the dirty water they have us use for the windshield? Keep a cup handy, go to the washroom and rince? LOL Scream and have a hissyfit right there? I know, I know...too much Espresso...speaking about that...I have a name for Squeak's Chinchilla...

Squeegee!

LOL and if he pisses you off...

Washmit!

EspressoBoy

[AlienDNA]

Originally Posted by EspressoBoy

Remember that the type of tank used in the 1 is designed to only let you add about another 3/4 litre (1.5 cups) and it is going to overfill. Germans say full, they mean FULL!

Indeed. I filled my 135 for the first time yesterday and when it got to full, it was full. With the Miata, I can get another 8 litres in the tank after it first thinks it's full.

And, yes HungryMan, I had to play with the nozzle angle to get it to pump at all at first (Sunoco @ Vic Park & Gordon Baker). That's fairly common and is actually a giant PITA with the second generation Miatas because they're especially finicky

[Mad Dragon]

If you suspect a fuel level sender (there are 2), take it to the dealership. If one isn't working, the instrument cluster will store a fault.

[tnawab]

Originally Posted by EspressoBoy

BTW just wondering... I too have overfllled... What is the advice once you spill it down the car? Should we take the windshield squeegee and wip it off? Let it dry? Take your hands and splash it with the dirty water they have us use for the windshield? Keep a cup handy, go to the washroom and rince? LOL Scream and have a hissyfit right there?

I just take my lighter and set it on fire to burn it off..





.....joking

[PhAzE]

My old car and my 135i have had the same problem with premature clicking. What I do is rotate the pump slightly counter-clockwise and it should stop the early clicking. I figured that the angle of the fuel filler cap thing is angled a bit. I could be wrong but this method works for me.

[1HungryMan]

Thanks guys for all the comments. Really appreciate it.

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

With my M Roadster this is my procedure:
1) insert fuel nozzle
2) back out 1/2 cm
3) tilt nozzle to the left 45 degrees
4) stand back and enjoy the smell

Then it fills all the way. If not, clickity-click-click.

[Back in Black]

I have the same issues - I do exactly what Addict above mentions...

BUT I have to say, Shell pumps work pretty good. I CAN'T use Esso pumps at all... They constantly shut off as soon as I start pumping even on an empty tank. Pulling the nozzle out a bit does nothing... It is so annoying I refuse to even try and fill up at Esso on Mt. Pleasant near Davisville...

Out of curiosity Hungry Man, which gas company are you using?

[pdxlager]

Got my first tank of gas (in the US) today and had the same thing happen. Click Click Click. They tried to give me a receipt at 6 gallons but the car was empty when I drove up to the pump.

Unfortunately I'm in Oregon and they won't let us pump our own gas. I have a feeling I'll be getting out of my car and educating the attendant every few weeks or so.

(Drove 1,400 miles in Europe and except for one station in Munich pumped my own gas, this wasn't an issue once.)