Drivetrain malfunction - M5POST

Stuartlogan77 · 04-01-2013, 06:22 PM

Had a weird thing happen 2000 miles in. I was down to -2 miles on the fuel. On the old 550 you had about 50 miles beyond zero and I knew I would be close. Just pulled into the gas station and drivetrain malfunction. Switched car off refueled. Started up fine. Got about 200m down the road and it starts to struggle do power. Pull into a car park car stalls. power steerings out. Started it up stalled over and over. Stop start goes crazy starting up and stalls straight away. I think it's a fueling issue. I press on the gas fully and it only gets to 2000 revs for a minute. Slowly creeps up. But engine warning light still on. After about 5 mins I can crawl home 1/4 mile but after getting a tow to come out. 1 hour goes by. Go out to put it on the truck and it starts up fine. Take it for a spin. Works fine although I can swear the steering weight is gone from the steering settings. Now it's supper light steering on all settings.

I hope she starts up fine in the morning and steering is fine.

I think it must be air in the fuel line. Other thoughts? Why the steering issue?

nybimmerfan · 04-02-2013, 09:53 PM

It's really good practice to avoid having the tank empty. Personally, I make it a point to start looking for gas when I hit the 1/2 tank full. Moisture in the air (humidity) can turn into water and water mixed with 10% Ethanol fuel causes even more water to be present as the ethanol molecules bonds more easily to water than to the gasoline. Water present in the tank can cause a lot of problems. Hope this simplified explanation convinces you to make it a point to always fill up soon as possible to prevent water contamination. Good luck!

mainly · 04-06-2013, 05:11 PM

i have the exact same issue after starting mine on an empty tank. now i have to ge it towed to dealer. adding fuel didnt correct the problem

cmhsam · 04-06-2013, 08:10 PM

Just out of curiosity why do you wait until "E" to fill up?

nybimmerfan · 04-06-2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainly

i have the exact same issue after starting mine on an empty tank. now i have to ge it towed to dealer. adding fuel didnt correct the problem

When you already have water clogging the gas line, what makes you think that adding gas will just remove the clog? Also, bear in mind that water is not combustible!

avlnch · 04-07-2013, 12:40 AM

Sounds like air or water in the fuel lines.. a common result from driving with a fully depleted gas tank. Bring the car to BMW and explain how it happened. They will fix the issue, which should be an easy diagnosis.

mainly · 04-07-2013, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nybimmerfan

When you already have water clogging the gas line, what makes you think that adding gas will just remove the clog? Also, bear in mind that water is not combustible!

it hasn't been confirmed what the exact issue is. but thanks, i wasnt aware of that fact about water.

04-01-2013, 06:22 PM	#1
Stuartlogan77 New Member Drives: 2013 BMW M5 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 25 iTrader: (0)	Drivetrain malfunction Had a weird thing happen 2000 miles in. I was down to -2 miles on the fuel. On the old 550 you had about 50 miles beyond zero and I knew I would be close. Just pulled into the gas station and drivetrain malfunction. Switched car off refueled. Started up fine. Got about 200m down the road and it starts to struggle do power. Pull into a car park car stalls. power steerings out. Started it up stalled over and over. Stop start goes crazy starting up and stalls straight away. I think it's a fueling issue. I press on the gas fully and it only gets to 2000 revs for a minute. Slowly creeps up. But engine warning light still on. After about 5 mins I can crawl home 1/4 mile but after getting a tow to come out. 1 hour goes by. Go out to put it on the truck and it starts up fine. Take it for a spin. Works fine although I can swear the steering weight is gone from the steering settings. Now it's supper light steering on all settings. I hope she starts up fine in the morning and steering is fine. I think it must be air in the fuel line. Other thoughts? Why the steering issue?
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04-02-2013, 09:53 PM	#2
nybimmerfan First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 MCB M5 Join Date: May 2012 Location: NY Posts: 348 iTrader: (0)	It's really good practice to avoid having the tank empty. Personally, I make it a point to start looking for gas when I hit the 1/2 tank full. Moisture in the air (humidity) can turn into water and water mixed with 10% Ethanol fuel causes even more water to be present as the ethanol molecules bonds more easily to water than to the gasoline. Water present in the tank can cause a lot of problems. Hope this simplified explanation convinces you to make it a point to always fill up soon as possible to prevent water contamination. Good luck! __________________

04-07-2013, 12:40 AM	#6
avlnch First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 Individual M5 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: South FL Posts: 328 iTrader: (0)	Sounds like air or water in the fuel lines.. a common result from driving with a fully depleted gas tank. Bring the car to BMW and explain how it happened. They will fix the issue, which should be an easy diagnosis. __________________ 2013 BMW INDIVIDUAL ///M5 {Frozen Black/Amaro Brown/Amaro Brown Alcantara/White Contrast Stitching/Piano Black Trim}

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04-06-2013, 05:11 PM	#3
mainly First Lieutenant Drives: F10 M5 imperial blue Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Edmonton alberta, canada. Posts: 310 iTrader: (0)	i have the exact same issue after starting mine on an empty tank. now i have to ge it towed to dealer. adding fuel didnt correct the problem

04-06-2013, 08:10 PM	#4
cmhsam Major Drives: 2013 F10 M5 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,276 iTrader: (0)	Just out of curiosity why do you wait until "E" to fill up?