If you own your BMW for long enough, there’s a good chance you may eventually find yourself dealing with a fuel pump problem. Unfortunately, BMW high-pressure fuel pump malfunctions and failures are a common issue.
As a BMW owner, you’ll want to understand the top reasons for a fuel pump failure, what you can do about it, and how you can avoid it. The following guide will explain everything you need to know.
Signs of BMW High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
BMWs use pressure to inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber. The high-pressure fuel pump is the component that compresses the fuel to increase the pressure. Without it, your vehicle’s engine cannot run efficiently.
If your BMW fuel pump light comes on, this is an obvious sign that you have a problem. In addition, when the high-pressure fuel pump begins to fail, you’ll typically notice signs like:
- Delayed engine starting
- High engine temperatures
- Poor gas mileage
- Vehicle stalling
- Low fuel pressure gauge readings
- Losing power when accelerating or going uphill
- Jerking while accelerating
- Engine surging
- Sputtering or hesitation when accelerating between 2,000 and 4,000 RPM
If you notice any of these issues, you’ll want to address it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could run into some serious problems. A BMW high-pressure fuel pump failure can cause significant performance issues. When the fuel pump fails completely, the engine won’t get any fuel and your BMW won’t run at all.
Top Reasons for High-Pressure Fuel Pump Fails
Knowing what causes a high-pressure fuel pump to malfunction can help you avoid having to deal with this problem. Here’s a look at some of the top reasons that BMW high-pressure fuel pumps fail.
1. Poor quality oil or lack of oil changes
One of the best ways to avoid problems with your high-pressure oil pump is to make sure you change your oil regularly and use manufacturer-recommended oil types. Otherwise, poor-quality oil may cause unnecessary wear and tear on your fuel pump.
Failing to change your oil as needed can also increase friction between the lobes and the camshaft. This will cause the pump to produce less pressure and can also wear the part out faster than normal.
2. Injector pump leaks
The high pressure created by the fuel injection can lead to leaks. This can create a carbon build-up that will eventually interfere with your engine’s functionality. This is a common problem associated with BMW 335i fuel pump failures as well as high-pressure fuel pump failures on many other models.
3. Solenoid failure
The solenoid controls the high-pressure fuel pump’s volume by changing the port location in the pump. When it starts to fail, the pressure inside the fuel pump is lowered. This can then cause the pump to fail.
BMW Fuel Pump Recalls
While any of the issues above can cause a BMW high-pressure fuel pump to fail, this problem has also been associated with manufacturer recalls. In August of 2021, BMW announced a recall of more than 11,200 vehicles produced with high-pressure Bosch fuel pumps that are likely to fail. This includes:
- 2014-2016 BMW 535d
- 2014-2016 BMW 535d xDrive
- 2014-2018 BMW 328d
- 2014-2018 BMW 328d xDrive
- 2014-2018 BMW X5 xDrive35d
- 2015 BMW 740Ld xDrive
- 2015-2017 BMW X3 xDrive28d
This BMW 5 series fuel pump recall and recalls on other models will give owners the option to bring their vehicles back to the dealership for a high-pressure pump replacement.
This isn’t the first time BMW has had to deal with fuel pump issues. In 2014, the company issued voluntary safety recalls on approximately 136,188 vehicles ranging from the 2007 to 2012 model years. This included the BMW F10 fuel pump recall and recalls on a variety of other 5-series and 6-series BMWs.
What to Do if Your High-Pressure Fuel Pump Fails
If you’re having problems with your BMW high-pressure fuel pump, your best bet is to have it replaced. This leads to the next obvious question – “How much is a fuel pump for a BMW?”
The answer varies depending on the model year. For example, the cost to fix 2008 BMW 535i fuel pump problems may be much different than what you’ll pay for a BMW X5 high-pressure fuel pump replacement.
In most cases, this is not an inexpensive fix. On average, the cost to replace a BMW fuel pump is around $3,000. However, continuing to drive your vehicle once the fuel pump starts to fail can cause serious performance problems.
Eventually, your fuel pump won’t work at all, your car won’t run, and you’ll end up stranded. Don’t let this happen to you! If your fuel pump warning light comes on or you notice any of the problems mentioned above, do yourself a favor and bring your BMW to an experienced mechanic.
Trust The Haus for Your BMW’s Mechanical Issues
If you’re having a problem with your BMW high-pressure fuel pump or any other mechanical issues, you need an experienced BMW mechanic to take care of the problem. The experts at The Haus can handle all of your BMW repair needs so you won’t have to worry about performance issues or the possibility of getting stranded. Contact us today to schedule a VIP appointment with one of our skilled BMW mechanics.