Incorrect fuel protection system and (lack of) Australian fuel filler nozzle standard

Beejay · 10-18-2009, 03:51 AM

Interesting problem today as we embarked on a fun drive up Putty Road: Trying to fill our 320d up at the BP on Singleton Rd, Wilberforce, we couldn't insert the diesel fuel nozzle into our tank as the 'incorrect fueling protection system ( http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18964 ) disliked the diameter of the nozzle.

First a bit stumped by the experience, we called up BMW Road Assist thinking something is broken (yes we did read the manual and nothing is in there to even warn us of this). As we waited we examined the opening closer and encountered the mechanism described in the link above.
With the help of a screwdriver we were then able to move the second spring so that the fuel nozzle could operate the first and open the barrier, letting the nozzle insert into the tank - and we were away.

Just wondering if anybody had this kind of experience with a recent BMW diesel. We've been filling up plenty since we got the car in June and this was the first station were we had a problem. There is a workaround, but I'd have thought that a) BMW mentions something in the manual about the IFPS and b) there is a standard for the nozzle size depending on the fuel type.
Cost us half an hour of the day, which still ended up being a beautiful drive up and down one of the best driver roads around Sydney....

JamieA · 10-18-2009, 09:22 AM

I have experienced the same problem at a BP with a Chrysler 300 CRD (ie the one with the Mercedes Diesel, which presumably has similar fuelling hardware to the BMW as they are both Euros). BP is the only place I have had this problem though...

With my heart set on a 330d sometime in the near future, I am interested in the responses of others too.

samchuang33 · 10-18-2009, 05:49 PM

Apparently in europe, they have different nozzel design for different fuel. Therefore making it difficult for u to put petrol in diesel cars and diesel into petrol cars. I think maybe the pump that BP at ur servo is the wrong design nozzle by chance or something. In Australia, there is no standards or guidelines regarding this so petrol stations might put in wrong nozzles without knowing that our BMW have different inlet design that only accept particular types.

That is what my sales rep told me anyway. But my parent still manage to put in unleaded into my diesel X5 before so still need to double check when u fill up. Cost me Fxxken $700 for stealership to take car apart to drain out the unleaded

. Then i found out, aparently, diesel engines can run on a mixture of 25% unleaded and 75% diesel (not 100% on percentage here so don't quote me here) and still be safe to combust normally. So next time, i think i will just get a few empty tanks and drain it out myself.

eff1dude · 10-20-2009, 07:15 PM

I had this exact problem at my local Caltex the first time I went to fill up my 320d. When I pulled up at the diesel pump, I found that the nozzle was hitting the metal flap that prevents you using a normal unleaded pump by mistake.

I got the station attendant to come out - no idea. I rang BMW roadside assistance - no idea. I rang the dealer I had bought it off - they had no idea & said to bring it in to get checked out ! Anyway, turns out that the Caltex had put a normal unleaded pump nozzle on their diesel pump instead of the larger diameter diesel nozzle. The safe fueling system was just doing it's job & stopping me filling it up. Sort of backs up what samchuang33 said, seems like servos can stick any nozzle they like on a dielsel pump.

I've never been back to the original servo, and have never had the problem again at any subsequent servo I've been to.

Hope this helps.

Beejay · 10-20-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eff1dude

I rang BMW roadside assistance - no idea. I rang the dealer I had bought it off - they had no idea & said to bring it in to get checked out !

Yes, we got a call from the dealer where we bought the car two days later and he apparently had no idea this could happen and was happy to learn about it owing to our experience.
BMW Road Assist obviously goes back to the dealer if one engages them for a problem, which is good news. They should also, however, build a knowledge base from the calls they're getting to be able to help out in such instances...

milkchaser · 03-24-2022, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beejay

Interesting problem today as we embarked on a fun drive up Putty Road: Trying to fill our 320d up at the BP on Singleton Rd, Wilberforce, we couldn't insert the diesel fuel nozzle into our tank as the 'incorrect fueling protection system ( http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18964 ) disliked the diameter of the nozzle.

cleanmpg.com redid their website. The correct link to this forum thread is now:
https://www.cleanmpg.com/community/i...threads/18964/

ADEe92 · 03-25-2022, 09:57 PM

Nice to know - never have had the issue, but the diesel nozzle is always bigger than the petrol nozzle.

The other one to watch is you sometimes can’t fill up at hi-flow only pumps as those nozzles are bigger again for trucks and won’t fit. I hadn’t realised there are two sizes of diesel pumps and tried to avoid the queue by going into the diesel truck section of the servo.

10-18-2009, 03:51 AM	#1
Beejay Oil Burner 4 Rep 46 Posts Drives: BMW 320d 2009 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 320d Executive [0.00]	Incorrect fuel protection system and (lack of) Australian fuel filler nozzle standard Interesting problem today as we embarked on a fun drive up Putty Road: Trying to fill our 320d up at the BP on Singleton Rd, Wilberforce, we couldn't insert the diesel fuel nozzle into our tank as the 'incorrect fueling protection system ( http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18964 ) disliked the diameter of the nozzle. First a bit stumped by the experience, we called up BMW Road Assist thinking something is broken (yes we did read the manual and nothing is in there to even warn us of this). As we waited we examined the opening closer and encountered the mechanism described in the link above. With the help of a screwdriver we were then able to move the second spring so that the fuel nozzle could operate the first and open the barrier, letting the nozzle insert into the tank - and we were away. Just wondering if anybody had this kind of experience with a recent BMW diesel. We've been filling up plenty since we got the car in June and this was the first station were we had a problem. There is a workaround, but I'd have thought that a) BMW mentions something in the manual about the IFPS and b) there is a standard for the nozzle size depending on the fuel type. Cost us half an hour of the day, which still ended up being a beautiful drive up and down one of the best driver roads around Sydney.... __________________ BeeJay____________________________________ 320d \| 6sp Auto \| Tasman Green \| Beige Dakota Leather/Burr Walnut \| Memory Mirror & Seats \| Electric Lumbar Support \| Alarm \| Active Cruise \| Adaptive Xenons \| Business Navigation with iDrive \| Hi-Fi with iPod Interface \| Already over 29000 km ! Last edited by Beejay; 10-19-2009 at 07:34 PM.. Reason: Corrected Address of Servo
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10-18-2009, 09:22 AM	#2
JamieA Colonel 93 Rep 2,168 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia iTrader: (0)	I have experienced the same problem at a BP with a Chrysler 300 CRD (ie the one with the Mercedes Diesel, which presumably has similar fuelling hardware to the BMW as they are both Euros). BP is the only place I have had this problem though... With my heart set on a 330d sometime in the near future, I am interested in the responses of others too. __________________ '05 E90 325i \| '06 E90 325i \| '08 E90 325i LCI \| '13 F30 328i M-Sport \| '14 F10 535d M-Sport Current: '19 G01 X3 M40i
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10-18-2009, 05:49 PM	#3
samchuang33 Captain 38 Rep 780 Posts Drives: MY 16 440i & MY20 X7 30d Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane AUS iTrader: (0)	Apparently in europe, they have different nozzel design for different fuel. Therefore making it difficult for u to put petrol in diesel cars and diesel into petrol cars. I think maybe the pump that BP at ur servo is the wrong design nozzle by chance or something. In Australia, there is no standards or guidelines regarding this so petrol stations might put in wrong nozzles without knowing that our BMW have different inlet design that only accept particular types. That is what my sales rep told me anyway. But my parent still manage to put in unleaded into my diesel X5 before so still need to double check when u fill up. Cost me Fxxken $700 for stealership to take car apart to drain out the unleaded. Then i found out, aparently, diesel engines can run on a mixture of 25% unleaded and 75% diesel (not 100% on percentage here so don't quote me here) and still be safe to combust normally. So next time, i think i will just get a few empty tanks and drain it out myself. __________________ 2020 BMW G07 X7 3.0d M Sport 2018 Audi FY Audi SQ5 2016 BMW F36 440i GC M Sport
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10-20-2009, 07:15 PM	#4
eff1dude Enlisted Member 7 Rep 44 Posts Drives: MY17 M3 Competition S/S Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	I had this exact problem at my local Caltex the first time I went to fill up my 320d. When I pulled up at the diesel pump, I found that the nozzle was hitting the metal flap that prevents you using a normal unleaded pump by mistake. I got the station attendant to come out - no idea. I rang BMW roadside assistance - no idea. I rang the dealer I had bought it off - they had no idea & said to bring it in to get checked out ! Anyway, turns out that the Caltex had put a normal unleaded pump nozzle on their diesel pump instead of the larger diameter diesel nozzle. The safe fueling system was just doing it's job & stopping me filling it up. Sort of backs up what samchuang33 said, seems like servos can stick any nozzle they like on a dielsel pump. I've never been back to the original servo, and have never had the problem again at any subsequent servo I've been to. Hope this helps.
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03-25-2022, 09:57 PM	#7
ADEe92 First Lieutenant 253 Rep 316 Posts Drives: e92 320d sport plus edition Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: South Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 320d [0.00] 1988 320i with M30B35 [0.00]	Nice to know - never have had the issue, but the diesel nozzle is always bigger than the petrol nozzle. The other one to watch is you sometimes can’t fill up at hi-flow only pumps as those nozzles are bigger again for trucks and won’t fit. I hadn’t realised there are two sizes of diesel pumps and tried to avoid the queue by going into the diesel truck section of the servo.
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