Yet another HPFP bites it

[SG Spiff]

I just dropped my car off to get its HPFP replaced. It's got just over 5k miles. It was giving me long cranks on cold starts and sometimes the SES light would come on immediately after one of these cranks. The light would usually go off after a day or two, but it would come on again a couple days later. Other than the long cranks, the car was behaving normally.

The SA said the pump wasn't maintaining pressure while the car was off, letting fuel escape back into the tank, and that's why I was getting long starts. Or something like that. I'm not terribly familiar with how everything works, but this explanation seemed plausible to me. Anyway, the car's supposed to be back in my possession in 4-5 hours.

In the meantime, I've got a 328i xdrive loaner in a particularly horrible color combination. I can see why some people would want to own a 328i, but its just making me appreciate my 135i even more. Maybe if it had the sport package and a manual I would like it more.

Well, that's the whole story. I was aware of potential HPFP problems before I bought my car and I was crossing my fingers that it wouldn't happen to me. I was driving a Toyota before this and never had a single problem. Buying the 135i made me nervous because I figured that, more likely than not, some problem would crop up. And it did. But you know what? If I could do it again, I would still buy this car. It's just that good.

[imoz]

Originally Posted by SG Spiff

I was aware of potential HPFP problems before I bought my car and I was crossing my fingers that it wouldn't happen to me. I was driving a Toyota before this and never had a single problem. Buying the 135i made me nervous because I figured that, more likely than not, some problem would crop up. And it did. But you know what? If I could do it again, I would still buy this car. It's just that good.

My thoughts as well. I was fully aware of the HPFP issue going in, have my fingers crossed. If it happens to me, not a huge deal as the dealer is only 2 blocks from my office. Unless it leaves me stranded in the middle of nowhere with no cell coverage. Then I'll be ummm...temporarily unhappy.

[elfhearse]

curious...what brand premium are you using:
* warehouse (Costco/BJ's), convenience store
or
*Shell V Power, Sunoco, "top tier" brands....

reading posts on the E90 forum about fuel quality effecting the HPFP (?)

[SG Spiff]

I've only filled up using 93 octane from BP.

[smpeck]

I didn't see BP on the list...

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

[1bonna]

Had my first replacement at around 3k miles. As long as its covered under warranty and the HPFP does not go out some where in the boon docks it should be fine.

Hopefully we don't get to replace it every few thousand miles.

[elfhearse]

BP/Amoco is good stuff. Several years ago the toptier gas list was impressive but now I see a local convenience store gas brand listed, and it's average quality, won't run it in any of my vehicles due to poor performance and mileage...so not too impressed anymore with the toptier listings.

Just curious if there was a pattern with gas brands and HPFP failures.
or the mandatory 10% ethanol ....

[scorcherjf]

When you get your fuel pump replaced and the engine software updated, does it list on the work invoice that the software was updated or does it just say fuel pump replaced?

[SG Spiff]

Originally Posted by scorcherjf

When you get your fuel pump replaced and the engine software updated, does it list on the work invoice that the software was updated or does it just say fuel pump replaced?

As far as I know, I didn't get an engine software update.

[SG Spiff]

I just started getting long cranks again and SES light is back on. This pump is a month old, with about 3k miles on it (total mileage ~8500). I'll be calling one of the local dealerships in the next couple days. I was just thinking to myself yesterday how great the car was running. I'm less than pleased.

[romak47]

i hope this common story does not happen to me.. *knocking on wood*

[BTG]

I am service consultant for BMW and my research leads me to poor fuel that causes the HPFP to fail. If you are running BP fuel that maybe why, BP has over 13-15% ethonal which is horrible for your vehicle.

[SG Spiff]

Since I got the last pump I've been using mainly Shell with a couple Valero fills.

I also have the audio problems that some people have been describing. That actually started when I was on the way to the dealership yesterday. I'm not sure how that can possibly be related. Unless the radio runs on gas... Which I'm being told, no, it does not.

[eunosracr]

I have only used Shell V power since day 1 and went through 2 fuel pumps in 23k miles.

[Yes2m3cs]

Originally Posted by eunosracr

I have only used Shell V power since day 1 and went through 2 fuel pumps in 23k miles.

DITTO!

I know how you feel brother, me too...

Brian

[SG Spiff]

For the record, it turned out that my fuel pump did not need replacement. The problem was that the values from the old fuel pump were never reset and so I was getting a fault because of those. And no, I have no idea why it took a month for this problem to happen.

As far as the stereo goes, it was some problem with the software. They reprogrammed it and now it works again. I can't help but think that the problems were somehow related since they happened a day apart, but I have no clue as to how that might be.

So that's that. Good luck to everyone with your maintenance adventures!