AndyRob

Hi everyone

When filling my petrol 545i I find when I get to about 3/4 full the forecourt pump cut-off prevents hardly any more petrol to be added.

Presumably there's bubbling/gurgling/frothing once a certain level is reached but I am wondering if this is a design feature, a fault or what?

Andy

John@Motorcepts

did u try another petrol station?

AndyRob

I know what you mean - a problem with the pump/nozzle - but it happens at all petrol stations (filling stations).

The fact that yours was the only reply suggests that this is a problem unique to my car so perhaps I have a twisted filler pipe or something.

Andy

Bama214

There was actually a Service Bulletin issued for fuel tank filling problems -- it's SI B 16 02 05. Excerpt below:

SUBJECT
Fuel Tank Difficult to Refuel


MODEL
E60 (5 Series) All Models, E63 and E64 (6 Series)

Vehicles produced from 07/04/2004 up to 11/18/2004


SITUATION
The customer complains the fuel tank is difficult to refuel which causes the fuel filler nozzle to shut off repeatedly.

CAUSE
This failure is due to a defective service valve located in the top of fuel tank. The service valve cannot be replaced separately since it is plastic welded to the tank itself.

PROCEDURE

Replace the fuel tank.

If raw fuel is found in the DMTL pump during tank replacement, also replace the DMTL pump and carbon canister at the same time.

Important Note:

When installing the new fuel tank, it is very critical that the hose from the top of the fuel tank to the DMTL does not get kinked, twisted or crushed. Please pay special attention to the placement of the hose when installing the new fuel tank.

Good Luck!

Rudy

And in case you wanted to know if the "Good Luck!" part was contained in the actual service bulletin, here's the full copy...

sib_16_02_05_Fuel_Tank_Difficult_to_Refuel.pdf
Keep in mind that this bulletin was issued for North America and since you mention "petrol", I assume you're across the pond. That doesn't mean there isn't a corresponding bulletin out there for the UK, etc. I'm just letting you know that it may be an issue if you simply give the service advisor a copy of this one (or give him the number) since he may claim it's not valid...

My bet is that you'll still be in good shape if your car was manufactured between 7/4/2004 and 11/18/2004 (the dates on the bulletin.)

Good luck! <-- not part of the bulletin

AndyRob

Many thanks for that, Rudy. I was beginning to think I had banana fingers and couldn't control the pump nozzle properly.


Andy

PS Was/is there a difference between petroleum and gasoline?

Rudy

No. It's a USA/rest of world thing...