Yet Another HPFP Failure

[Maine1]

I was just starting to think that I would somehow avoid the high pressure fuel pump problem, but that bubble burst today. I've read enough posts by others to know exactly what I was running into. Normally my car starts instantly, but tonight it cranked quickly for 3 or 4 seconds before starting. I started thinking to myself, this is not a good sign. Then it started stunbling and the yellow engine light came on. I managed to drive it 5 miles home but it felt like I had about 50 HP available. It would also stall occasionally and the service engine soon light came on for a brief appearance.
My car is a May build with 10,400 miles on it. Off to the dealer we go tomorrow. I'm just glad it didn't decide to go when I was out on a road trip somewhere - that would suck.

[Lexington]

Rats. I was hoping the blue water 135s were immune from this problem. Wish BMW would just do a recall and fix them all. Failures can occur at
inopportune times and places.

[N54tt]

mine went last week!!!! i have a june08 build and the HPFP finally crapped out!!!

[scorcherjf]

I don't think they can do a recall because even their 09 135/335's have fuel pump failures!

How many miles were you at N54tt? I have a july 08 build date so I'm a bit nervous...

[Haywood]

I just had mine replaced at 7500 miles. I have 3/08 build.

[JasonCSU]

I'm beginning to think this is inevitable now. Mine is a 4/08 build with 6800 miles and so far so good.

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by Lexington

Rats. I was hoping the blue water 135s were immune from this problem. Wish BMW would just do a recall and fix them all. Failures can occur at inopportune times and places.

To have a formal recall.. they need a new pump design that's actually better than the existing one.

[Maine1]

It is confirmed now - just got a new pump installed today part # 13-51-7-592-881. I'm hoping this new part is better than the old one, but I've been hearing some comments that even the newer ones may be failing! With the new part the car is really zippy again. Now that I look back on it, I was finding that lately the performance seemed to be slipping a little from what I remembered early on. It now feels like a new car again.

[Jimmydean]

Does this only happen with 135's or does it happen with 128's too?

[Maine1]

I'm pretty sure that only the 135's have the high pressure fuel injection.

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by Maine1

It is confirmed now - just got a new pump installed today part # 13-51-7-592-881. I'm hoping this new part is better than the old one, but I've been hearing some comments that even the newer ones may be failing! With the new part the car is really zippy again. Now that I look back on it, I was finding that lately the performance seemed to be slipping a little from what I remembered early on. It now feels like a new car again.

Agreed. With the nice cool weather, it feels alot quicker.

[nszzya]

I have a 01/09 build with 730 miles. This morning, I was heading to work (highway driving at around 80 mph) and noticed the SES light on. I checked the computer and there were no other indicators. The check control detail did not indicate any problem. I noticed a vibration which felt a bit like a flat tire, but only on acceleration. I assume my HPFP is going/gone. Is this the most likely cause? I haven't seen a post with a failure at such low mileage and on an '09.

[arok]

To I have a strong enough case to bring to the dealer if my car on first start of the day takes 4-8 cranks? I would hate to go to limp mode before bringing it in... Anyone pre-emptively bring it in?

[Lexington]

Originally Posted by crzy4135i

To have a formal recall.. they need a new pump design that's actually better than the existing one.

Thought the new replacement pump was performing much better and had resolved most of the issue.

[BlackjackMulligan]

Originally Posted by Maine1

With the new part the car is really zippy again. Now that I look back on it, I was finding that lately the performance seemed to be slipping a little from what I remembered early on. It now feels like a new car again.

Nice, mine feels quicker after the fix as well. Thought it might have just been imagining it.

Originally Posted by nszzya

I have a 01/09 build with 730 miles. This morning, I was heading to work (highway driving at around 80 mph) and noticed the SES light on. I checked the computer and there were no other indicators. The check control detail did not indicate any problem. I noticed a vibration which felt a bit like a flat tire, but only on acceleration. I assume my HPFP is going/gone. Is this the most likely cause? I haven't seen a post with a failure at such low mileage and on an '09.

Mine is an '09 (Dec 08 build) and the HPFP went at 1700 miles.

Originally Posted by Lexington

Thought the new replacement pump was performing much better and had resolved most of the issue.

Seems like in some cases, such as mine and perhaps the one above, that the new ones are failing even faster than the old!

[nszzya]

I'm about 25 highway miles from the dealer after having experienced HPFP failure symptoms this morning (described a few posts above). I'm leaning towards having Roadside Assistance bring it in. Would anyone risk driving it to the dealer?

[stovesax08]

I'm wondering what percentage of these fuel pumps actually fail...I know there have been some polls but those are obviously skewed because most of the people that vote are taking the effort because it failed. I know that we have 3 n54's in the family and none of the fuel pumps have failed...yet. One has around 4k, another around 10k, and another around 47k. The lower mileages are 135s with the 47k being a 2007 335xi with probably 90% highway miles.

[InsaneSkippy]

Originally Posted by nszzya

I'm about 25 highway miles from the dealer after having experienced HPFP failure symptoms this morning (described a few posts above). I'm leaning towards having Roadside Assistance bring it in. Would anyone risk driving it to the dealer?

I'm in the same situation you're in (roughly 20-25 HW miles from dealer) I'm planning on just having Roadside Assistance take it.

My pump hasn't gone YET, but is a may 2008 build with just over 8k miles. It's inevitable though, so I figured I'd plan ahead lol

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by nszzya

I'm about 25 highway miles from the dealer after having experienced HPFP failure symptoms this morning (described a few posts above). I'm leaning towards having Roadside Assistance bring it in. Would anyone risk driving it to the dealer?

I drove mine to the dealership and it was about 30 miles away. I was told that it just goes into limp mode and you would have had to drive pretty far before it broke down.

[BlackjackMulligan]

Originally Posted by Haywood

I drove mine to the dealership and it was about 30 miles away. I was told that it just goes into limp mode and you would have had to drive pretty far before it broke down.

+1

Had a "reduced power" warning but it made it without issue. I was sure to ask the SA prior to driving it there if it would cause any damage and he assured me it would not.

[nszzya]

Originally Posted by BlackjackMulligan

+1

Had a "reduced power" warning but it made it without issue. I was sure to ask the SA prior to driving it there if it would cause any damage and he assured me it would not.

Thanks for all the reassurances. I'm going to drive it in. Thankfully, the dealer has the 881 part in stock and is open for service on Saturday! Then again, maybe it's something else.

[Maine1]

Good luck, and let us know if it was the pump. I'm already getting concerned that these new pumps aren't going to last any longer than the old ones did.