Fuel Disappearing

[Grady]

Having embarrassed myself before... Car was empty, never mind the 1/2 full gauge. Last weekend I put 4 gallons in and drove maybe a mile or two with some warm up time. Today I drove maybe 1/2 mile. When I went to restart, nothing. Added another gallon and it started right up. No gas smell, no stains (parking is asphalt so I'd know!).

Wonder where the 4 gallons went???

[mrzigazaga]

Very strange mate...Id be checking and double checking fuel hoses...Metering unit when running...I had mine rebuilt on the 280i and although it was a professional doing the job the ethanol in the fuel was eating away the fuel sealant..He had to use an aircraft grade....Check under the bonnet while its runnings....Very odd...

[Grady]

If it was leaking that much, I think I'd see or smell it. Still fighting with getting power to the WUR plug, but with jumpers, it starts right up and, after it warms up a bit, runs well. Doesn't seem over-fueled or smell rich.

[v8s4me]

If it was leaking that much onto a tarmac drive you'd know by the holes in the drive. You don't need to know how I know this

[Grady]

And the I drove to the station and got about 1/2 a gallon in before it backed up via the filler and splashed out.

[mrzigazaga]

Grady said:

And the I drove to the station and got about 1/2 a gallon in before it backed up via the filler and splashed out.

Sounds like you have the same fuel sender that Delilah had.....She was on 1/4 tank one year whilst stuck in heavy traffic on the way to a Wedgefest. the nearest exit and station were around 20 miles...The gauge was approaching 1/8...I couldn't turn off as it was crawling along...I just turned off...Sat in about 5 minutes worth of due for the petrol and as I pulled up to the pump and turned the ignition off the needle went straight up to 3/4....

[Grady]

This one confuses me. I went to start it and it spun like it was out again, no fire... I'm getting use to that sound.

Went and got a gallon in a tin, unscrewed the fuel cap and fuel bubbled-up out of the fill neck and down the side of the car. And then it started right up. Yesterday was the first day that it has ever done that.

The gauge is frozen at about 1/2 tank.

[v8s4me]

Could it be an air lock? Try leaving the filler cap open and see what happens. Also check all your fuel (flow & return) lines for kinks which might be restricting the flow.

[rev-erend]

Sounds like you have another issue.

[mrzigazaga]

How new is the bulkhead fuel filter?...Also is the rollover valve in the overflow okay?...Could be an air lock.....

[Grady]

The fuel filter is new. I'm thinking some kind of air lock. The tank to pump hoses have been replaced. Everything else is untouched by me.

[v8s4me]

Grady said:

....The fuel filter is new....

Is it the right way around? Easy mistake to make when you're crawling around on your back in poor light.

[billynobrakes]

Funny I filled up the Gredge right to the top drove about 200 miles and it showed empty, I must have the same problem any ideas where the petrol went looked every where no leaks or smell of petrol

[adam quantrill]

My record is I ran out of petrol, stuck the spare gallon in out of the boot, drove 1.5 miles to the petrol station well almost it was about 100 yards short before it ran out again! So I had to fill the can again then drive the rest of the way.... and that was just a 350i.

[Grady]

v8s4me said:

Is it the right way around? Easy mistake to make when you're crawling around on your back in poor light.

99.99% sure it is the correct way, and it's been working for a couple of months as I've been getting the car back on the road.

The only thing I fooled with was the Aux Air valve air hoses - which modulates air. I can't see how that would have an huge impact on the tank end, particularly as the car had been sitting off for a couple of hours.

[SEvans]

Have you checked the vent for the tanks? Cheers Steve