[jaf30]

Hi all,

I have recently bought a used 330e and love it, although there is one quirk which is driving me nuts!

For some reason the car will only allow me to open the fuel filler door after pressing the aeration button twice. It never seems to work the first time, instead displaying "Preparing for refuelling" on the dash for around 30 seconds before displaying "Fuel tank system" in yellow text.

The iDrive screen text reads "Fuel tank system fault. Possible to continue journey. Release fuel filler manually to refuel."

After the second press, it takes about 7 or 8 seconds and unlocks the door. It does not seem to matter what the fuel level is, it always takes 2 presses of the button to work.

The annoying thing is having to sit in the car and wait for the first attempt to fail before being able to try again.

I have seen other similar threads suggesting a fuel tank pressure sensor failure, but I just find it strange how it always works within 10 seconds on the second try.

I don't hear any sort of whoosh or hiss like a pressure release when I push the button on attempt number 1 or 2.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

[jcdub]

Does it open first time if you where to open the flap before you drive the car (when cold)? If so it would be a faulty pressure sensor in the tank. I had mine replaced under warranty

[jaf30]

How interesting! Just went out to the car and it opened first time - 2 times in a row! I then drove it back and forth in the drive a few times (edrive mode) and it took 2 presses to open the flap. How weird is that?

My car is out of warranty, but I have found a warranty extension on the sensor from BMW North America. I'm not sure if there is such an arrangement here in the UK. I'll have to speak to the dealer and see what they can do.

Appreciate the help!

[jaf30]

Of course the dealer said they'd look into this for me.... No response as of yet!

I think I'll have to give them a nudge.

[Angelosion]

Hey, are you pressing the button and letting go, or holding it until the message "refueling possible" appears?

When I got the car I was instructed to hold the button until the confirmation message is displayed that refueling is possible.

Hope this helps.

[jaf30]

I just press the button and wait, pressing the button does show the car is "Preparing for refueling" on the dash. The message stays there until the error comes up.

I'll have to try holding the button and see what happens. The car is currently having the alloys refurbed so I won't have it back for a while.

[Angelosion]

Yeah, try holding it untill the refueling is ready message appears, as I said it was the way I was instructed to do it from the BMW dealer, as I understand the petrol tank is sealed so the petrol doesnt go bad if you run the car in ev mode only for a long period of time.
Hope it solves the issue. Let me know if it does!

[jaf30]

I figured this thread would probably be the best to reply and ask on as you're all 330e owners. If you could take a look at my other post below, it would be extremely helpful. Thanks

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1867621

[jaf30]

For anyone else facing this issue, I think I've managed to fix it with ISTA diagnostics.

The tank sensor was reading 40 millibar over the actual outside pressure, meaning it would throw the fault. After running the calibration, the sensor reads correctly within tolerance and will now unlock the tank almost instantly.

Hate to think how much the main dealer would've charged for this!

[oscar8u]

Originally Posted by jaf30

For anyone else facing this issue, I think I've managed to fix it with ISTA diagnostics.

The tank sensor was reading 40 millibar over the actual outside pressure, meaning it would throw the fault. After running the calibration, the sensor reads correctly within tolerance and will now unlock the tank almost instantly.

Hate to think how much the main dealer would've charged for this!

Same issue with my 330e 2016 and you are corect this is covered as part of an extended warranty in North America but not the UK.

Paid dealership to diagnose even though I already knew what the problem was using ISTA but they were not taking my word for it. Showed them the techncial service bulletin from BMWNA and that it was covered over there and why not in the UK. They got back to me and said it will cost £310 to replace the fuel tank pressure sensor, not going to offer any goodwill because of the age of the car.

Doesn't make sense to me considering they are offering upto 10 year/150k mileage, whichever comes first, extended warranty in North America but my 2016 90k mileage car is too old in the UK.

Thanks for mentioning the calibration part. I might give that a go tonight.

[jaf30]

Certainly better than paying the dealer - mine is still working perfectly so far. Time will tell whether it starts to drift out of calibration again.