check engine light after running out of gas

mdoughty · 09-18-2011, 01:09 PM

anyone ever got a cel after running the car empty for increased emissions? could i have burned up the o2 sensor?

FStop7 · 09-18-2011, 01:29 PM

could be fuel pump

KASM3 · 09-18-2011, 02:22 PM

Fuel pump!

mdoughty · 09-18-2011, 02:37 PM

the car is running fine, i would think the fuel pump would cause a noticeable condition. the error reads increased emissions ...

JeremyR · 09-18-2011, 03:39 PM

I got a CEL for increased emissions, and when I took it in they said it misfired on all 8 cylinders. Asked if I ran out of gas (I didnt) because that would cause it. In the end, they told me that it was starved of fuel momentarily for some reason, and the CEL comes on as a precaution for them to give it a look.

mdoughty · 09-18-2011, 03:45 PM

yeah that sounds like what happened to me, i didn't run it bone dry before i turned it off but it did hiccup. i just took it out and put it in m mode and ran it through the gears hard and there aren't any performance issues whatsoever

Edjay · 09-18-2011, 04:23 PM

more than likely mis fire code and or lean code. I really don't recommend running low on fuel. Fuel pump can run dry and cause damages.

CCLSVTM3 · 09-18-2011, 07:20 PM

Never happened to me but a few months ago while at Long Beach BMW, I was getting oil changed and started talking to another M3 owner who brought his car in for service. He told me he ran out of gas and now CEL is on. While we were talking, the service guy came over and told him that his car was fixed. The service guy said it happens sometimes when people run out of gas and all they needed to do was clear the code. I asked the service guy why that happens and he said that it is bad to run these cars on empty and that sometimes parts get damaged. The service guy said never try to drive your car around on less then 1/4 tank of gas. So before all the comments start, I am only repeating what the service tech at Long Beach BMW said, not me!!!!

Justin(OKC) · 09-18-2011, 07:56 PM

If you give it a few days, the code may resolve itself. I wouldn't get too worked up over it yet. Can't remember exactly, but I think 10 cycles it will clear if the problem really doesn't exist anymore.

J08M3 · 09-18-2011, 08:06 PM

Uhhh...... How did you run out of gas??? Is the gauge broken???

mdoughty · 09-19-2011, 12:14 PM

no its not broken, stupid is as stupid does

CrazyIvan · 09-19-2011, 12:24 PM

I usually run my car until it reads about 40-50 mile range before I fill up again. Never had an issue

Doctor J · 09-19-2011, 01:02 PM

You can run your car for at least 10 more miles after it says "----" on the miles left to empty meter.

Ask me how I know

stevenross · 09-20-2011, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J08M3

Uhhh...... How did you run out of gas??? Is the gauge broken???

i got stuck once and had 3 miles left on the gauge and was pissing in my pants as i couldnt wait to get to a gas station.. i am sure i am not the only one that toyed with the gas gauge..

S

Ateam · 09-20-2011, 10:09 PM

Geez if you use 1/4 tank as "empty" then you are basically at the gas station every 2nd day, or atleast I am

I literally put in 3 full tanks a week with mixing race gas. By far my largest expense monthly is my gas bill for this damn car!

besiktas · 09-20-2011, 10:14 PM

do you have a pic of the fuel gauge, i wonder how far we can push it before we actually run out of gas

mdoughty · 09-20-2011, 10:31 PM

i always think the next gas station is gonna be cheaper...i've gone 10 miles after seeing ..., i about ran out of gas in death valley once in august.

midwest 340xi 6sp · 09-20-2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by besiktas

do you have a pic of the fuel gauge, i wonder how far we can push it before we actually run out of gas

Reminds me of a Seinfeld episode. With Kramer seeing how far he can go on "E"

09-18-2011, 01:09 PM	#1
mdoughty Private First Class 10 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2014 Alpine White M5 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: raleigh, nc iTrader: (2)	check engine light after running out of gas anyone ever got a cel after running the car empty for increased emissions? could i have burned up the o2 sensor?
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09-18-2011, 01:29 PM	#2
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	could be fuel pump __________________ My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racelap/
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09-18-2011, 02:22 PM	#3
KASM3 Lieutenant 160 Rep 466 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Fuel pump!
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09-18-2011, 02:37 PM	#4
mdoughty Private First Class 10 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2014 Alpine White M5 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: raleigh, nc iTrader: (2)	the car is running fine, i would think the fuel pump would cause a noticeable condition. the error reads increased emissions ...
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09-18-2011, 03:39 PM	#5
JeremyR Private First Class 7 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I got a CEL for increased emissions, and when I took it in they said it misfired on all 8 cylinders. Asked if I ran out of gas (I didnt) because that would cause it. In the end, they told me that it was starved of fuel momentarily for some reason, and the CEL comes on as a precaution for them to give it a look. __________________ 2011 Jet Black E90 M3
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09-18-2011, 03:45 PM	#6
mdoughty Private First Class 10 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2014 Alpine White M5 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: raleigh, nc iTrader: (2)	yeah that sounds like what happened to me, i didn't run it bone dry before i turned it off but it did hiccup. i just took it out and put it in m mode and ran it through the gears hard and there aren't any performance issues whatsoever
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09-18-2011, 04:23 PM	#7
Edjay First Lieutenant 4 Rep 350 Posts Drives: 08 E90 AW, 76 2002 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sacoftomatoes Ca iTrader: (0)	more than likely mis fire code and or lean code. I really don't recommend running low on fuel. Fuel pump can run dry and cause damages.
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09-18-2011, 07:20 PM	#8
CCLSVTM3 Lieutenant 36 Rep 523 Posts Drives: Interlagos blue E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Burbank, CA iTrader: (1)	Never happened to me but a few months ago while at Long Beach BMW, I was getting oil changed and started talking to another M3 owner who brought his car in for service. He told me he ran out of gas and now CEL is on. While we were talking, the service guy came over and told him that his car was fixed. The service guy said it happens sometimes when people run out of gas and all they needed to do was clear the code. I asked the service guy why that happens and he said that it is bad to run these cars on empty and that sometimes parts get damaged. The service guy said never try to drive your car around on less then 1/4 tank of gas. So before all the comments start, I am only repeating what the service tech at Long Beach BMW said, not me!!!! __________________ BMC filter, OEM Exh Mod, ESS Direct Flash tune, flat black kidney grills, color painted front reflectors, LUX Angel eyes, -2012 SVT Raptor 4 dr -09 E90 M3
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09-18-2011, 07:56 PM	#9
Justin(OKC) Major 77 Rep 1,376 Posts Drives: 1988 M3, 1990 M3, 1998 M3/4 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK iTrader: (7) Garage List 1998 BMW M3/4 [10.00] 2011 BMW M3 Sedan [9.28] 1988 BMW M3 [9.40] 1990 BMW M3 [10.00] 2008 BMW 135i - sold [0.00] 2003 BMW M3 - sold [0.00]	If you give it a few days, the code may resolve itself. I wouldn't get too worked up over it yet. Can't remember exactly, but I think 10 cycles it will clear if the problem really doesn't exist anymore. __________________ 1988 BMW M3 - Hennarot/Black 1990 BMW M3 racecar - Diamond Schwarz/Black 1998 BMW M3 - Alpine White/Mulberry 2011 BMW 328i racecar - LeMans Blue/Black
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09-18-2011, 08:06 PM	#10
J08M3 Major General 285 Rep 6,007 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE Join Date: May 2008 Location: NEW YORK iTrader: (8)	Uhhh...... How did you run out of gas??? Is the gauge broken??? __________________
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09-19-2011, 12:14 PM	#11
mdoughty Private First Class 10 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2014 Alpine White M5 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: raleigh, nc iTrader: (2)	no its not broken, stupid is as stupid does
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09-19-2011, 12:24 PM	#12
CrazyIvan Lieutenant 29 Rep 488 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	I usually run my car until it reads about 40-50 mile range before I fill up again. Never had an issue __________________
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09-19-2011, 01:02 PM	#13
Doctor J Captain 33 Rep 741 Posts Drives: 2010 E93 M3 DCT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vancouver BC iTrader: (0)	You can run your car for at least 10 more miles after it says "----" on the miles left to empty meter. Ask me how I know __________________ 2010 BMW M3 vert with DCT & Akra (sold) 2012 Porsche 911 Turbo S
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09-20-2011, 10:09 PM	#15
Ateam Banned 88 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Geez if you use 1/4 tank as "empty" then you are basically at the gas station every 2nd day, or atleast I am I literally put in 3 full tanks a week with mixing race gas. By far my largest expense monthly is my gas bill for this damn car!
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09-20-2011, 10:14 PM	#16
besiktas Ultimate Driver for the Ultimate Driving Machine 146 Rep 1,146 Posts Drives: BMW M3 E92 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	do you have a pic of the fuel gauge, i wonder how far we can push it before we actually run out of gas __________________ BMW M3 E92 - Silverstone II BPM Sport Stage II Tune + Test Pipes, GTS DCT Tune
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09-20-2011, 10:31 PM	#17
mdoughty Private First Class 10 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2014 Alpine White M5 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: raleigh, nc iTrader: (2)	i always think the next gas station is gonna be cheaper...i've gone 10 miles after seeing ..., i about ran out of gas in death valley once in august.
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