Why can’t I fuel up fast?

Hi everybody, just wondering if anyone else has the same problem as me when filling up? Squeeze the nozzle anymore than half an inch and the auto cut-off cuts in. I have no option but to let the fuel trickle in and at that rate it takes about ten minute just to put 30 odd quid in!! Any ideas?

Also, just attempted to do the brakes on my E34, but when it came to getting the calliper bolts with the allen key heads off, nothing would move them?! Is there a specialist tool i need?

Cheers in advance, Gav

Gav-I get the same fuel filling problem to a lesser extent on my 2 E34's. Some filling stations are worse than others as well, I've noticed.

I try to get round it by moving the fuel filler hose nozzle around a bit and experimenting to see which position gives the least amount of fuel cut-offs when filling.

About your brake calliper allen headed bolts-they're done up quite tightly so the callipers don't fall off.

I use a small allen head adapter set and matching socket that fits into a standard half-inch drive socket wrench/extension bar.

You'll need a good quality allen head adapter set so it doesn't chew up when you give it some torque.

The bolts do come off using the above tools, which you can get from any good car tool shop.

However, they almost certainly WON'T come undone using bog-standard allen keys, which are worse than useless on these bolts

Alex

I think it also depends on the nozzles, some of them are better than others, and some are just faulty in that they are just too sensitive.

Had the fill up problem on my calibra, nightmare! The cause was the little plastic insert that stops you putting 4* in your tank had unclipped and got wedged in the pipe. Not even sure if the BMW has got one but its worth a look.

I read on an American website that oil companies alter the volatility of petrol depending on the season. In winter they make fuel more volatile so it vapourises ok in the cold weather, but this can cause lots of frothing in the filler neck, causing the petrol pump cut-off to work overtime.

Back in the old days of 4-star leaded we had wide nozzle pumps and wide fuel filler necks on cars, so they were quicker to fill, but with unleaded we get small nozzles and thin fuel filler necks, so it's nightmare at times to fill.

Some forecourts are worse than others, and set the cut-outs too sensitive. I've had some stations where you can only trickle fuel in otherwise the cut out goes mental.

One way around it I've found is to withdraw the nozzle a few inches, although you've got to watch the fuel doesn't suddenly come slopping out of the filler neck when the tank is nearly full

What I do is work out how much each quarter of a tankful actually costs, and note the reading on the fuel gauge.

On my E34 it's around £17 per quarter tankful so, if I need to put 3 quarters in I know it'll take around £50. I then put the pump nozzle in the filler neck only slightly, and put in about £40 quickly, and put the last £10 in slowly, inserting the nozzle fully and standing away from the filler neck in case my shoes get a doseful of octane

Alex

Just had a look and i only have a 6 and 8mm one so i'll go shopping tomorrow and buy a 7mm one. Tried loads of different garages but all seem the same.....slow! I'll have a look and see if it's meant to have one of them plastic clips. Cheers for all the help everyone!

Gav

Nigel wrote: I must be the odd one out here, I've never had any problems filling either of the two E34's I've owned. On the subject of tools, halfords get a lot of stick generally, but they do sell very good quality single tools at reasonable cost. May be a good place to get the socket set mounted 7 mm key you need ( its where I got mine).

Tools at Halfords have a life warranty, I have taken back several sockets etc. that I have broken due to mis-use and had them swapped with no problems.

Regarding filling up, depends on the petrol station and how quickly the delivery is, the faster it is, the more problems happen.  Localy the petrol stations are always busy so no real issues, go late at night and it's click click hell!
 

Nigel wrote: I must be the odd one out here, I've never had any problems filling either of the two E34's I've owned. On the subject of tools, halfords get a lot of stick generally, but they do sell very good quality single tools at reasonable cost. May be a good place to get the socket set mounted 7 mm key you need ( its where I got mine).

I've had no problems either. I also got my 7mm socket at halfords 5 years ago and still does the job, no problem. And I've taken plenty of calipers off for brake pad changes

Paul