Fuel Level Sensor Questions

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  • Ryan.
    Noobie
    • Sep 2011
    • 21

    #1

    Fuel Level Sensor Questions

    So I recently purchased a '91 318i, Upon purchasing I filled up the tank and noticed the gauge didn't go above about half way.

    After reading a little I found out that the tank is separated into two sections, each with their own fuel level sensor

    I was looking online for replacements but $120 or whatever they cost is out of my budget right now

    I was wondering if it was possible to pop them open and clean the out or repair possible loose connections, I have searched around the web quite a bit with no results

    If someone could link me to a DIY or just give me a little advice It would be much appreciated


    ALSO Ran out of gas on the highway last night. Now the car runs like crap, im guessing its just sediment clogging the fuel filter. if someone has any insight on cleaning that out I would also much appreciate that

    Thanks guys, look forward to sticking around here for a while
    '91 318i M50NV
    '95 325is Bone Stock
  • carguy101
    E30 Addict
    • Jul 2009
    • 495

    #2
    Fuel filter is under the driverside before the rear subframe, try that and plugs to see if it runs better. Welcome to the boards and M42club has useful info.

    Comment

    • Ryan.
      Noobie
      • Sep 2011
      • 21

      #3
      wait, try what and what plugs ?

      sorry im new to the BMW scene

      EDIT: sry thought you meant fuel pump

      yeah Ill replace the filter asap
      '91 318i M50NV
      '95 325is Bone Stock

      Comment

      • carguy101
        E30 Addict
        • Jul 2009
        • 495

        #4
        Spark plugs, get the NGK's mine runs much better with those than the Bosch's

        Comment

        • Ryan.
          Noobie
          • Sep 2011
          • 21

          #5
          Im pretty sure the plugs are brand new, this is a fresh m50 swap I would hate to think they put old plugs in, I will pull em out and inspect them though

          thanks for the quick responses
          '91 318i M50NV
          '95 325is Bone Stock

          Comment

          • carguy101
            E30 Addict
            • Jul 2009
            • 495

            #6
            Sure thing and I didnt realize you had a swap. Maybe putting that in the first post or title can give you some responses from some swap guys that know more about them. Good luck!

            Comment

            • Ryan.
              Noobie
              • Sep 2011
              • 21

              #7
              Didnt mention it cause I was mainly just asking about the fuel floater

              Another question, Is there a way to tell which sides floater isnt working ?
              '91 318i M50NV
              '95 325is Bone Stock

              Comment

              • dogsbark26
                E30 Addict
                • Nov 2008
                • 533

                #8
                Sometimes, I think, fuel gauge showing only half when tank is full is a result of the instrument cluster being replaced with the wrong fuel gauge (or possibly the wrong coding plug). That is, with a cluster from a car that only had one fuel lever sender.

                You might try removing the back seat bottom (snaps up and out quite easily) and unplugging the sending units, one at a time. You could even try shorting the plugs (not the senders, just the plugs) and turn the car on - not starting the car, just turning it on - and see if the gauge reads full that way. This is assuming the senders show short when they read full, which I really don't know.

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