Great vid btw, I love the ones that are to the point. No loud music, or person that thinks they’re funny, making a vid twice as long and you can’t find the info you need. To each their own, but this is the type of vid I like and it’s very much appreciated!
BMW knows this is a problem, yet they still produce a shoddy plastic regulator cap that eventually cracks and leaks. I did this job on my 2008 335i 2 years ago and yesterday I smelled gas inside my 2010 335i and sure enough it is leaking too. If you have over 120K miles on the e90, you will be doing this job. Thanks BMW. The hardest part for me was the clearances for the tubes and having to fish the tubes from the right to left side and remember how it goes back together. Not too hard if you keep a note of how it should look. Also squeezing the regulator in the hole is only difficult because I was afraid I would bend something because you have to squeeze, push, twist until it goes through. For my 2010, I know I can do the job, but so much work. I'm going to clean the regulator cap, sand it a little and put a ton of JB weld on it and hopefully not have to replace it. Once I watched the video on how to do it, it brought back some nightmares of the first time I did the job. Worst case scenario it doesnt work and I have to do the job later.
I tried JB weld, grinded the plastic, cleaned perfect, JB weld past the microcracks, it worked for about 6 months but just failed. Replacement is the only fix.
Same here. HB weld eventually failed. I had to replace it again. Actually had to replace it twice. First was cheap Chinese part and the hose came apart after a month. Bought right part from fpc euro and hope to never do it again!
thanks so much for this video. just did mine. clips were a bitch to get apart, I almost gave up at some points. thankfully nothing broke. I unplugged the negative on the battery after de-pressurizing the regulator just to avoid any freak accident spark ups. took me an afternoon but got it done. used flathead and hammer to get the caps off each side
@@Dcha138one of the gas line hoses slipped off. Fuel entered the charcoal canister soaking wet, I ended up replacing that as well. Double check all connections are intact before reassemble
You ever hear a surging or a growling sound after you turn the heater or AC off? My 2007 e90 335i makes a intermittent growling sound at idle from somewhere under the hood (driver side) usually after I turn off the AC
So I have a 2011 bmw 328i xdrive and on cold start it takes about 3 seconds before it starts and after that is starts right up. It always has a long crank in the mornings. If I don’t smell any fuel inside the car does this mean it’s not the fuel regulator? I’m really thinking it’s the fuel regulator but again I don’t smell fuel. Car has 149000 miles
I haven't encountered this issue before nor I'm familiar with the engine that much. But i would check with a scanner the fuel rail pressure on cold starts to make sure it's a fuel related issue. Aside from that I would give the throttle body a clean
If you are sure that the fuel pump is working fine, it is not necessary to replace. if you are worried that you might need to replace the fuel pump soon it is a great opportunity to replace it since you have access to the pump.in my case i didn't replace it since i know its still in great condition
Just two symptoms. Fuel gauge stuck at 3/4 all the time (it goes back to 0 when I turn off the car) and gas smell inside suddenly. No leak on top of the regulator or pump. It is a little bit wet, but it looks like dirt and it doesn't smell like fuel. When I'm driving it, it smells less. When I leave it overnight, than tomorrow smells bad. What could it be? If it is sending float unit, I mean, if the float is stuck or bad, it should not have anything to do with smell of gas, right.
So just by disconnecting the electrical on the fuel pump, and attempting to start or starting it and letting it run is sufficient enough to depressurize the fuel system? Thank in advance
If this kind of leak goes on for too long, will it start to leak down the side of the tank? I took my seat off and smelled gas from the regulator; however, underneath the car there is fuel all over the bottom of the tank.
With my 2007 e90 328i sedan, I smell fuel on the (outside only) the driver's side around the rear seat after driving. No visible fuel pooling or dripping on the floor. I'm also currently getting fault code - 2C31 (oxygen sensor control -post catalyst fuel trim system too rich, Bank 1), and the previous scan indicated 2C6B that has not reappeared after clearing. I'm suspecting it's the fuel pressure regulator but have not yet checked under the seat. If that is the case, could it trigger those codes?
I belive the fuel filter is under the driver seat. The small section of fuel lines next to the filter could be leaking. Those lines should always be replaced with the filter. The fuel filter if its the same as the e46 has the fuel regulator integrated in it. Also, there is a vacuum line that connects to the filter from the intake, replace if required. Cracked vacuum lines can cause fuel trim issues.
Thank you for your guidance. So you're thinking the problem may be a cracked line instead of a cracked regulator? That would make sense as I am not experiencing any engine symptoms, such as Reduced fuel economy, Engine hesitation, Black exhaust smoke, Engine surging/misfiring etc. Just trying to correlate the fault code and to potential root cause.
Yeah, I'm guessing a bad line. But the fuel filter/regulator is a service item. So if it wasn't changed in a while would recommend putting a new one as well. Keep in mind the engine fuel trim issue could be unrelated to the leak issue, but best to fix the fuel leak first before moving forward.
I seen a dense gas spot on the grounds I park at 2:30 am wow Lord !! From the driver left rear end of the vehicle has to be the regulator plus mines has some miles who knows when that thing was changed any suggestions to which one to purchase
I opened the right side (fuel pump) because the three hoses connected to fuel pump in 7:13 are part of the fuel regulator. In my case, I did not have to replace my pump since it is still working perfectly.
The hard white plastic cap for the regulator develops hairline cracks over the years from plastic becoming brittle or such. Then the pressure eventually forces gasoline thru those tiny tiny cracks. . Cant just replace the cap cuz its all molded in as part of regulator. Rare bad design from BMW. Youd think they would have egineered a better material by now. Or maybe they are doing planned obselescence which is more common it seems....boo, I was wondering if there is some high tech plastic weld goo that would stand up to gasoline long term? .
If so, it mite be worth unplugging the fuel pump and starting the car till it dies to relieve pressure. Then smear the plastic weld paste on after cleaning surface real good w solvent. Then wait 24 hours b4 hooking up the pump and starting
Great vid btw, I love the ones that are to the point. No loud music, or person that thinks they’re funny, making a vid twice as long and you can’t find the info you need. To each their own, but this is the type of vid I like and it’s very much appreciated!
Thanks man
BMW knows this is a problem, yet they still produce a shoddy plastic regulator cap that eventually cracks and leaks. I did this job on my 2008 335i 2 years ago and yesterday I smelled gas inside my 2010 335i and sure enough it is leaking too. If you have over 120K miles on the e90, you will be doing this job. Thanks BMW. The hardest part for me was the clearances for the tubes and having to fish the tubes from the right to left side and remember how it goes back together. Not too hard if you keep a note of how it should look. Also squeezing the regulator in the hole is only difficult because I was afraid I would bend something because you have to squeeze, push, twist until it goes through. For my 2010, I know I can do the job, but so much work. I'm going to clean the regulator cap, sand it a little and put a ton of JB weld on it and hopefully not have to replace it. Once I watched the video on how to do it, it brought back some nightmares of the first time I did the job. Worst case scenario it doesnt work and I have to do the job later.
I tried JB weld, grinded the plastic, cleaned perfect, JB weld past the microcracks, it worked for about 6 months but just failed. Replacement is the only fix.
Same here. HB weld eventually failed. I had to replace it again. Actually had to replace it twice. First was cheap Chinese part and the hose came apart after a month. Bought right part from fpc euro and hope to never do it again!
maybe marine epoxy would work better
Was your fuel gauge stuck at 3/4?
@@nebojsa1976 no, the gauges measured properly
thanks so much for this video. just did mine. clips were a bitch to get apart, I almost gave up at some points. thankfully nothing broke. I unplugged the negative on the battery after de-pressurizing the regulator just to avoid any freak accident spark ups. took me an afternoon but got it done. used flathead and hammer to get the caps off each side
Does anyone know where I can get the little blue and black tabs for the fuel pump?
I just replaced the pressure regulator due to leaking. But it won’t start. The fuel pump was working fine before so I don’t think it’s the pump
Fuel filter
Same ..what did u do to fix it.?
@@Dcha138one of the gas line hoses slipped off. Fuel entered the charcoal canister soaking wet, I ended up replacing that as well. Double check all connections are intact before reassemble
Should the tank be able to move around 😂. I’m guessing somethings loose
Yeah, you should get that checked 😅
You ever hear a surging or a growling sound after you turn the heater or AC off? My 2007 e90 335i makes a intermittent growling sound at idle from somewhere under the hood (driver side) usually after I turn off the AC
I haven't had a similar issue so far with my car, not sure what the cause could be.
So I have a 2011 bmw 328i xdrive and on cold start it takes about 3 seconds before it starts and after that is starts right up. It always has a long crank in the mornings. If I don’t smell any fuel inside the car does this mean it’s not the fuel regulator? I’m really thinking it’s the fuel regulator but again I don’t smell fuel.
Car has 149000 miles
I haven't encountered this issue before nor I'm familiar with the engine that much. But i would check with a scanner the fuel rail pressure on cold starts to make sure it's a fuel related issue. Aside from that I would give the throttle body a clean
Do you have to replace both or can you just replace the pressure regulator?
If you are sure that the fuel pump is working fine, it is not necessary to replace. if you are worried that you might need to replace the fuel pump soon it is a great opportunity to replace it since you have access to the pump.in my case i didn't replace it since i know its still in great condition
Just two symptoms. Fuel gauge stuck at 3/4 all the time (it goes back to 0 when I turn off the car) and gas smell inside suddenly. No leak on top of the regulator or pump. It is a little bit wet, but it looks like dirt and it doesn't smell like fuel. When I'm driving it, it smells less. When I leave it overnight, than tomorrow smells bad. What could it be? If it is sending float unit, I mean, if the float is stuck or bad, it should not have anything to do with smell of gas, right.
Did you found the issue?
I'm confused, did you remove that fuel line twice?
So just by disconnecting the electrical on the fuel pump, and attempting to start or starting it and letting it run is sufficient enough to depressurize the fuel system? Thank in advance
Yep, should do the trick
Ok thank you also just by adding the 1.3 gallons of fuel at the end is that enough to prime it?
@timothyflores371 not sure about that one. Just don't run on an empty tank
Ok thank you, appreciate the video saved me a bunch of money
Just wanted to say thank you again finally got the job done went really smooth best video out there on how to change the fuel pump regulator
I love the part where you skipped getting the plug in the pressure regulator loose. That step isn't important, is it?
Bought my E90 at 180k so i might as well wait to get a new fuel pump also before i go about doing this.
Not a bad idea 👍
If this kind of leak goes on for too long, will it start to leak down the side of the tank? I took my seat off and smelled gas from the regulator; however, underneath the car there is fuel all over the bottom of the tank.
yes, the pump behind driver seat the plastic is crack a lot, take it apart and check, it will drop on floor if its a big crack
@@SoundChemist I replaced the pressure regulator and now I have no leak! Thank you!
@@tyhenriksen2690was that the only thing you replaced , nothing behind on the right driver side?
With my 2007 e90 328i sedan, I smell fuel on the (outside only) the driver's side around the rear seat after driving. No visible fuel pooling or dripping on the floor. I'm also currently getting fault code - 2C31 (oxygen sensor control -post catalyst fuel trim system too rich, Bank 1), and the previous scan indicated 2C6B that has not reappeared after clearing. I'm suspecting it's the fuel pressure regulator but have not yet checked under the seat. If that is the case, could it trigger those codes?
I belive the fuel filter is under the driver seat. The small section of fuel lines next to the filter could be leaking. Those lines should always be replaced with the filter. The fuel filter if its the same as the e46 has the fuel regulator integrated in it. Also, there is a vacuum line that connects to the filter from the intake, replace if required. Cracked vacuum lines can cause fuel trim issues.
Thank you for your guidance. So you're thinking the problem may be a cracked line instead of a cracked regulator? That would make sense as I am not experiencing any engine symptoms, such as Reduced fuel economy, Engine hesitation, Black exhaust smoke, Engine surging/misfiring etc. Just trying to correlate the fault code and to potential root cause.
Yeah, I'm guessing a bad line. But the fuel filter/regulator is a service item. So if it wasn't changed in a while would recommend putting a new one as well. Keep in mind the engine fuel trim issue could be unrelated to the leak issue, but best to fix the fuel leak first before moving forward.
I seen a dense gas spot on the grounds I park at 2:30 am wow Lord !! From the driver left rear end of the vehicle has to be the regulator plus mines has some miles who knows when that thing was changed any suggestions to which one to purchase
Very common problem with the 3 series E90 😢
All the work is juet replacing the seals? And that will fix the smell?
The fuel regulator is the source of the leak, it was replaced and came with a new seal.
Might as well change it lol
Why did you have to open the right side. Did you also replace the fuel pump? I have the same gas smell issue in my garage.
I opened the right side (fuel pump) because the three hoses connected to fuel pump in 7:13 are part of the fuel regulator. In my case, I did not have to replace my pump since it is still working perfectly.
So what exactly was your problem?????
0:06
The hard white plastic cap for the regulator develops hairline cracks over the years from plastic becoming brittle or such. Then the pressure eventually forces gasoline thru those tiny tiny cracks. . Cant just replace the cap cuz its all molded in as part of regulator. Rare bad design from BMW. Youd think they would have egineered a better material by now. Or maybe they are doing planned obselescence which is more common it seems....boo,
I was wondering if there is some high tech plastic weld goo that would stand up to gasoline long term?
.
If so, it mite be worth unplugging the fuel pump and starting the car till it dies to relieve pressure. Then smear the plastic weld paste on after cleaning surface real good w solvent. Then wait 24 hours b4 hooking up the pump and starting
@@rogerlucas1733 right a agree the end plastic part cracks and yet we still have to replace, im making complaint
BMW has a lot of plastic parts that fail on my son's 330i.@@rogerlucas1733
overly engineered system all to keep all those guts in the tank itself. Thanks CA.
job done but my battery died when i tried to start, i had all doors open and had not drove for 3 days
Good idea to have the small battery jump starters. such situations do often happen when working on cars.
Just an absolute pain in the ass Job what's suppose to be a hr tops turns I to a whole day if you are not patient with this crap