Heya, first post here and it happens to be about an SES light.
Recently purchased my new 2003 M5 with 56k miles on it for a reasonably good price.
Car is driving fine. I was on the way back home today when my SES light comes on, so i proceed to the local BMW specialist shop. It was late, so he runs the car through the computer and comes up with a Fuel Ventilation Fault. Says it's probably a fuel vapor leak and would look at it tomorrow if i took it in.
I noticed in my email that my account was validated for posting so I decided to post my situation up to see if i could get any answers before i go to sleep.
So, has anyone had this problem before and how big of an issue is it?
This might be as simple as a gas cap not being tight or sealing well. You may want to reset the code (#1 purchase for all new owners should be a Peake reader) and see if it returns.
Heya, first post here and it happens to be about an SES light.
Recently purchased my new 2003 M5 with 56k miles on it for a reasonably good price.
Car is driving fine. I was on the way back home today when my SES light comes on, so i proceed to the local BMW specialist shop. It was late, so he runs the car through the computer and comes up with a Fuel Ventilation Fault. Says it's probably a fuel vapor leak and would look at it tomorrow if i took it in.
I noticed in my email that my account was validated for posting so I decided to post my situation up to see if i could get any answers before i go to sleep.
So, has anyone had this problem before and how big of an issue is it?
Thanks in advance!
Stephen
Could be the fuel breather/ventilation valve, which is buried under the intake plenum. It will not affect the running of the car. I believe there is a writeup here with pictures on how to swap it out. Not a big deal.
Regards,
Jerry
__________________
'01 Black/caramel
Dinan Stage 3 suspension, SS jet coated headers, ESS SC kit, open brake ducts, Hamann front splitters, TEC cupholder, U.S.(Euro style) tilt/slide armrest, 6k HID fogs, 6k super white low beams, V1/Stealth1, dual head LI, 2.65 diff w/40% lockup/2x dynamic, compact spare, Euro trailer hitch, Mocal oil cooler, ACS type rear spoiler, Rogue custom SSK and tranny mounts, ST 355 BBK (fronts), BP sway bar brackets, Bluetooth retrofit
There is an activated carbon filled vent tank attached to the main fuel tank.
Suggest you replace this unit (I paid the equivalent of $80 for a new one).
On my 1998 540i, this unit blocked, causing the fuel tank to build up negative pressure. This tank distortion damaged the fuel pump, causing the car to stop in the middle of no where. Ended up having to replace the fuel pump.
AC vent tank was one of the first items I replaced on my current E39, this also at 50 000miles
This might be as simple as a gas cap not being tight or sealing well. You may want to reset the code (#1 purchase for all new owners should be a Peake reader) and see if it returns.
Happened to me yesterday. I took it by AutoZone and the guy read the code and suggested it could be that. It was.
I felt like a dumbass, but a dumbass that wasn't about to have to spend thousands repairing his beast.
Could be the fuel breather/ventilation valve, which is buried under the intake plenum. It will not affect the running of the car. I believe there is a writeup here with pictures on how to swap it out. Not a big deal.
Regards,
Jerry
All posts on the board suggest it will not effect the running of the car and it is just an irritating light. For that reason I left mine for 4 years as in the UK it only throws a code and does not set off the SES light. I had it done recently though, and it cured a number of random fuelling codes that we'd never got to the bottom of, and made the idle smoother, and made her behave better in traffic. The only conclusion my indie and I could come to was that the failing valve had introduced a small vacuum leak and was letting unmetered air into the engine. I lived with it for 4 years and am kicking myself now.
It functions by venting fuel vapour from the tank into the inlet manifold to allow it to be burned off while the engine is at idle, rather than escaping neat into the atmosphere. This is simply to comply with emissions legislation. The DME opens the valve at idle to allow the vapour to burn, and closes it as you accelerate. I guess it depends whether it fails open or closed as to whether you notice it or not.
Just my tuppence worth, but if it turns out not to be the filler cap then I would always recommend doing it asap now.
As for DIY, after watching my indie's assistant doing it, and seeing how much pain and skin loss was involved, I would recommend paying the half hour labour charge!
Linear Mode
