Yay, it's time for a new high pressure fuel pump

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein) 10/19/2016 at 11:36 • Filed to: None

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This is a high pressure fuel pump for BMW N54 and N55 motors. The first several versions of it were junk, and failed early and often. For the N54, BMW extended the HPFP warranty to 120k miles, thanks to a class-action lawsuit. But if you have an N55 like me, sorry, no extra warranty for you!

What’s really irritating about the whole extended warranty or not nonsense, is that it’s quite literally the same HPFP on the N54 and N55 motors. Some of the earlier N55s still were built with the exact same unreliable pump as the N54s. BMW went through several revisions of the part and now they’re generally fine. But the class-action suit only covered the N54 motor, and if your VIN shows as an N55 car, BMW doesn’t warranty the HPFP past the standard powertrain warranty. Doh.

My car started randomly going into limp mode a couple weeks ago and throwing a low fuel rail pressure code. Since then, it’s pretty much going into limp mode every time I drive it. It gives you a scary message that might as well be the DANGER TO MANIFOLD thingie from the original Fast & Furious, and the car is, well, slow. By design.

About every third start or so, it takes longer to crank before turning over. These are classic symptoms of a bad high pressure fuel pump.

I actually have a couple-months-old fuel pressure sensor, that my mechanic is warrantying out just in case, but it’s likely the HPFP causing the issue. So I’m also getting a new HPFP, that I’m paying for, because BMW is all like, “nah man the N55 HPFP is all good we don’t need a warranty on those unless a lawyer makes us bruh.”

At least the new one is a supposedly revised (yet again) version that shouldn’t break. For a while.

E90M3 > Textured Soy Protein 10/19/2016 at 11:40

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High pressure fuel pumps are to the N54/55 as throttle position actuators are to the S65.

Textured Soy Protein > E90M3 10/19/2016 at 11:44

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Cost of doing business for a fun car, I suppose.

I’m looking forward to not having to mess with my car for a while, except for buying snow tires, and maybe also buying MHD when they release it for the N55.

And then I’ll stop messing with it for a while. Until something else breaks.

Tripper > Textured Soy Protein 10/19/2016 at 11:49

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Man you’re having a rough go with that car. How much for a new HPFP?

Textured Soy Protein > Tripper 10/19/2016 at 11:56

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You know, all things considered while it has spent a lot of time in the shop, several of those trips were for upgrades I was doing, and the whole nonsense with getting a new motor paid for a bunch of engine mods so I’m not bothered by it, too much. That said I am hoping that once the HPFP is replaced that I don’t have to see my mechanic for a while. ;) HPFP was about $350 for a BMW remanufactured one. It’s better to get a reman than a new one because it’s the newest version.

Saracen > E90M3 10/19/2016 at 12:44

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M3's are that bad on throttle positionactuators? Dang.

I guess the RS4's carbon buildup issues don’t seem too bad now after all.

E90M3 > Saracen 10/19/2016 at 12:54

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They made them using plastic gears, these gears wear out and you need a new one. I think you can replace the gears with metal ones. I had no idea about the carbon issue on RS4's, looks worse to be honest. At least with the M3, it’s just a part that needs to be swapped.

Saracen > E90M3 10/19/2016 at 13:32

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Ah, I see. Yeah, that’s definitely better.

AM3R shamefully returns > Textured Soy Protein 10/19/2016 at 19:32

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If it makes you feel any better, I looked through the service records of my 335i at BMW and it had 4 HPFP changed while it was in the hands of its first owner. Been super reliable since I got it nearly 20k miles ago *furiously knocks on wood*

LoudmouthOne > Textured Soy Protein 10/20/2016 at 19:47

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Ugh sorry to hear, my late model N54 is “supposedly” good as well. Interesting to note, for the 335is they also try to give you the run around at times because all the bulletins are for 2007-2010 3-series as if they never built the is.

My number 1 cylinder injector is currently less than perfect giving a slight stumble on start up and a black spark plug, fortunately that’s the worst of it at least but annoying that even though I can show them what it is until I have a CEL they can’t do anything.

That being said, mine is at least covered. If I was just buying one injector I’d get it now but with having to buy 3 I’ll just get them to do all 6 for the latest index level.

I haven’t heard of many N55 HPFP issues or many N54's for that matter from late 2009MY onwards, so sorry to hear man. Are there any main issues with the N55? I admit my knowledge is fairly specific to the N54.

Textured Soy Protein > LoudmouthOne 10/21/2016 at 11:20

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From what I understand the main issue with the N55 is the water pump is kind of crap. The HPFP is not as failure-prone as the first couple revisions of the part on the N54, but BMW did a couple more revisions on the later versions of the HPFP. Supposedly the current revision of the HPFP is no longer crappy. There was an issue on the very early N55s with VANOS sprockets failing but there was a recall for that. Otherwise it’s just your usual BMW potential injector and ignition coil issues.

LoudmouthOne > Textured Soy Protein 10/22/2016 at 20:17

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Well the water pump on every BMW since the beginning of time is crap so... haha. For the HPFP yes same I have read as well with the latest index level. I work with BMW as a supppier actually (non powertrain) and I can certainly attest to the fact that rolling index numbers is their version of rolling part numbers. BMW only rolls part numbers for interchangeability affected. I’ve actually replaced my coils and plugs at 30k. Truth be told other than the injectors and HPFP though other than over boosting the engine they are extremely reliable. I just need -12 injectors.

How’s the suspension by the way? I’m waiting until next winter unfortunately, with a wedding late this coming spring and a major house project I’ve tabled major car projects until those are done, I will then have a third bay with a 2 or 4 post though!