What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

BMW 1 Series ran low on fuel and now won't start

I have a BMW 116i which I purchased this year (2005 reg) with a one lady owner and a full BMW service history. Unfortunately I ran low on petrol recently and as I approached the garage the car started to shudder and died. It now refuses to start and nothing the RAC or my local mechanic can fix the problem. Any ideas?

Asked on 6 January 2015 by Becky Wyatt

Answered by Honest John
I'd guess that the fuel tank low pressure sender pump has been damaged by attempting to pump either the dregs of the tank or no fuel at all to the high pressure injection pump. That's where I'd start, anyway.
Similar questions
My 1 Series engine fires but then resorts to a chugging sound and does not fire up properly. No computer data problems on dash board, fuel all good. Car was towed back to our garage and the mechanic's...
I have a 2014 Ford C-MAX 2.0 litre diesel (163HP) which is starting to show a reluctance to start instantly in the morning when cold (below 10 degrees ambient). The engine needs a few turns before firing...
I have a 2007 Peugeot 207 1.6 HDI, with 83,000 clocked miles. Basically, the longer the car sits unused, the more blue smoke it puts out when it starts and also the harder it is to start (cranks slower...
Related models
Great to drive and superbly built. Wide choice of models, improved from 2007 with Efficient Dynamics. 118d is super economical.
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer