Couldnt pump a full tank of gas, whats the problem?

Tailor Made · 01-10-2009, 10:30 PM

tried to pump gas in my 335i and it couldnt fill up. i had about 30 miles left to go so i figured i needed about 14 or so gallons. I couldnt pump more than 9.5 or so. whats the problem? i bought the car with 14k miles on it. thanks for any help!

balance · 01-10-2009, 10:36 PM

what the..
how did you know you couldn't fill up anymore?
was the gas gauge thing on full? or when you were filling up gas it would keep clicking and stop filling?

never heard of this before

Houman21 · 01-10-2009, 10:38 PM

I had the same problem, I had to re-seat the nozzle like 3 times, never happened again.

xspeedy · 01-10-2009, 10:59 PM

I had this issue on my old E90 330i. It may be a bad baffle between the two halves of the tank. Dealer replaced my tank to resolve.

2kaccordocoupe · 01-10-2009, 11:00 PM

I have 2 gas stations close to me that are on my route to and from work (across the street from each other) each time I try to pump at those station the nozzle keeps on clicking and stops. I have to squeeze it lightly to the point where it trickles out for it to work. I'm not a fan of standing in cold for 20 mins for the tank to fill up.

Any other stations that I have been to have been fine.

335iPaul · 01-10-2009, 11:12 PM

I have had this happen too. Happened just once at a gas station I usually don't visit. Haven't had it happen again.

Spazdoc · 01-10-2009, 11:18 PM

This happened in NJ and the attendant turned the pump handle upside down. Worked just fine until he splashed gas on the rear window.

wj4 · 01-10-2009, 11:21 PM

This issue has constantly happened with me on this car. Sometimes it would stop even though I know it's not full.

TwinPowerF30 · 01-10-2009, 11:40 PM

happens to me sometimes too. just have to find that perfect angle to insert the nozzle.

PaulBailey@ltbmw · 01-10-2009, 11:44 PM

It's happened to me a few times but i think its the gas pump, not the car

BimmerRat · 01-10-2009, 11:54 PM

this happens to me, its always the gas pump..

nasdakboy · 01-10-2009, 11:55 PM

Had this problem as well. Brought it to the dealer and it was some type of faulty valve in the gas tank itself. Pretty common issue I was told. BMW replaced my gas tank. Car had about 900 miles on it.

Mk23 · 01-11-2009, 02:12 AM

Happened to me too (and on my old 04 350z), taking the pump out and putting it back in different ways usually fixes it.

To stray bit off topic, how bad is it for the paint if a few drops of gas get on it? I usually try and wipe it off but I always wonder how much damage it did just being on there for a few seconds.

kyleb350 · 01-11-2009, 02:46 AM

It's the pump, not the car.

Mk23 · 01-11-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyleb350

It's the pump, not the car.

Yeah, it works fine for me at other pumps. Has to be certain pumps.

Houman21 · 01-11-2009, 03:54 AM

I've only experienced the fault with those vacuu-seal nozzles or whatever they're called.

hanmaas · 01-11-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mk335i

Yeah, it works fine for me at other pumps. Has to be certain pumps.

+1, I've had this happen many times at pumps in the US. Never happened to me here with the car in Europe.

xspeedy · 01-11-2009, 09:23 AM

When the tank is near empty, does it fill up at a normal rate at all? Or do you have to trickle it in the whole time? If it fills normally to a specific point (like a half tank) and then shuts off the nozzle, it is probably the baffle. A new tank is in order.

juicedcubed · 01-11-2009, 09:30 AM

happened to me... it depends on the nozzle at each gas station.

bsamoul · 01-23-2009, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mk335i

Happened to me too (and on my old 04 350z), taking the pump out and putting it back in different ways usually fixes it.

To stray bit off topic, how bad is it for the paint if a few drops of gas get on it? I usually try and wipe it off but I always wonder how much damage it did just being on there for a few seconds.

Gas will eat the paint, much like eggs.

eaglesfan83 · 01-23-2009, 04:43 AM

My girl had this happen on her 08 M3. Was a pain in the butt. The dealer ended up replacing the tank and all sending units.

Houman21 · 01-23-2009, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mk335i

Happened to me too (and on my old 04 350z), taking the pump out and putting it back in different ways usually fixes it.

To stray bit off topic, how bad is it for the paint if a few drops of gas get on it? I usually try and wipe it off but I always wonder how much damage it did just being on there for a few seconds.

No damage. You're fine if you wipe it off.

01-10-2009, 10:30 PM	#1
Tailor Made Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Couldnt pump a full tank of gas, whats the problem? tried to pump gas in my 335i and it couldnt fill up. i had about 30 miles left to go so i figured i needed about 14 or so gallons. I couldnt pump more than 9.5 or so. whats the problem? i bought the car with 14k miles on it. thanks for any help!
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01-10-2009, 10:36 PM	#2
balance Colonel 122 Rep 2,090 Posts Drives: F32 435i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OC iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 BMW [0.00]	what the.. how did you know you couldn't fill up anymore? was the gas gauge thing on full? or when you were filling up gas it would keep clicking and stop filling? never heard of this before __________________
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01-10-2009, 10:38 PM	#3
Houman21 Captain 30 Rep 949 Posts Drives: Nothin right now Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: L.A. iTrader: (0)	I had the same problem, I had to re-seat the nozzle like 3 times, never happened again. __________________ 2008 e92 335i Step \| Is Gone - It was fun but not meant to be \| M3 - Cancelled \| 135 Ordered
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01-10-2009, 10:59 PM	#4
xspeedy Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 266 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2005 iTrader: (0)	I had this issue on my old E90 330i. It may be a bad baffle between the two halves of the tank. Dealer replaced my tank to resolve. __________________
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01-10-2009, 11:00 PM	#5
2kaccordocoupe Brigadier General 1274 Rep 4,703 Posts Drives: Former ///M Driver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The 6ix iTrader: (2)	I have 2 gas stations close to me that are on my route to and from work (across the street from each other) each time I try to pump at those station the nozzle keeps on clicking and stops. I have to squeeze it lightly to the point where it trickles out for it to work. I'm not a fan of standing in cold for 20 mins for the tank to fill up. Any other stations that I have been to have been fine.
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01-10-2009, 11:12 PM	#6
335iPaul Colonel 39 Rep 2,213 Posts Drives: 2007 335i SG Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	I have had this happen too. Happened just once at a gas station I usually don't visit. Haven't had it happen again. __________________ Current: 07 335i e90 Previous: 09 Acura TSX PWP Tech Previous: 07 335i e90 with L.E.T. Flash
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01-10-2009, 11:18 PM	#7
Spazdoc Major 42 Rep 1,218 Posts Drives: 2020 C63S, 2001 S4 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	This happened in NJ and the attendant turned the pump handle upside down. Worked just fine until he splashed gas on the rear window.
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01-10-2009, 11:21 PM	#8
wj4 Major General 335 Rep 7,719 Posts Drives: E90 manual 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Burbank, CA iTrader: (8)	This issue has constantly happened with me on this car. Sometimes it would stop even though I know it's not full.
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01-10-2009, 11:40 PM	#9
TwinPowerF30 Captain 38 Rep 643 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada iTrader: (0)	happens to me sometimes too. just have to find that perfect angle to insert the nozzle.
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01-10-2009, 11:44 PM	#10
PaulBailey@ltbmw General 663 Rep 26,878 Posts Drives: 2-325 330 2-335 2-Z4 2-135 X5d Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E90 [7.00] 2011 BMW 335i E92 [7.96]	It's happened to me a few times but i think its the gas pump, not the car
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01-10-2009, 11:54 PM	#11
BimmerRat Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 207 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA iTrader: (0)	this happens to me, its always the gas pump.. __________________ 2007 335i Coupe Jet Black / Black Leather / Aluminum / Steptronic w. Paddles / Premium / Sport / CA / Navigation / Satellite
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01-10-2009, 11:55 PM	#12
nasdakboy Lieutenant 17 Rep 453 Posts Drives: 08' 328i coupe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Had this problem as well. Brought it to the dealer and it was some type of faulty valve in the gas tank itself. Pretty common issue I was told. BMW replaced my gas tank. Car had about 900 miles on it. __________________ 08' E92 328i coupe 07' Audi A4 Quattro S-Line 04' BMW 325Ci
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01-11-2009, 02:12 AM	#13
Mk23 Major 114 Rep 1,148 Posts Drives: 09 E92 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Central Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i Coupe [0.00]	Happened to me too (and on my old 04 350z), taking the pump out and putting it back in different ways usually fixes it. To stray bit off topic, how bad is it for the paint if a few drops of gas get on it? I usually try and wipe it off but I always wonder how much damage it did just being on there for a few seconds. __________________ 09 - 335i E92 / Monaco Blue
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01-11-2009, 02:46 AM	#14
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	It's the pump, not the car.
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01-11-2009, 03:54 AM	#16
Houman21 Captain 30 Rep 949 Posts Drives: Nothin right now Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: L.A. iTrader: (0)	I've only experienced the fault with those vacuu-seal nozzles or whatever they're called. __________________ 2008 e92 335i Step \| Is Gone - It was fun but not meant to be \| M3 - Cancelled \| 135 Ordered
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01-11-2009, 09:23 AM	#18
xspeedy Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 266 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2005 iTrader: (0)	When the tank is near empty, does it fill up at a normal rate at all? Or do you have to trickle it in the whole time? If it fills normally to a specific point (like a half tank) and then shuts off the nozzle, it is probably the baffle. A new tank is in order. __________________
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01-11-2009, 09:30 AM	#19
juicedcubed Phantom at large 35 Rep 1,997 Posts Drives: 2013 e92 m3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Agoura Hills, CA iTrader: (0)	happened to me... it depends on the nozzle at each gas station. __________________ 2008 335i Black Sapphire\| Black Interior\| Navi\| Silver Aluminum Trim \|Tint l BMS intake l JB3 l Riss Racing downpipes \| Miro Staggered Hyper Silver 19 inch CSL Reps \|Nitto 555's *RIP 2011 335i Jet Black\| Red Interior\| Bone Stock *RIP 2013 M3 Space Gray\|Carbon Tint\| Matte Black Eurotek CSL Wheels\| Nokya White Halos\| AFE Stage 2 intake\| AFE Power Pulley\| Reflector Delete\|
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01-23-2009, 04:43 AM	#21
eaglesfan83 FIRE TOEZ!!!!! 83 Rep 1,207 Posts Drives: Pending Order Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Honolulu, HI iTrader: (6) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i Vert [9.34]	My girl had this happen on her 08 M3. Was a pain in the butt. The dealer ended up replacing the tank and all sending units.
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