2001 BMW 3 Series Fuel System

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE PASSENGER-SIDE FUEL TANK RETAINING STRAP BRACKET BROKE FROM THE FLOOR PAN OF THE CAR. IT WAS NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR TO ME IF IT WAS STRUCK BY SOMETHING ON THE ROAD OR IF THE WELDS JUST FAILED, HOWEVER I DO KNOW THAT I DIDN'T HIT A POTHOLE OR OTHER ROAD IRREGULARITY. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM ON ~2001 BMW 3-SERIES COUPES AND IT APPEARS THAT IT IS FAILING WELDS. *TR

DROVE THROUGH A PARKING LOT EARLIER TODAY WHEN I HEARD SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE SCRAPING METAL COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR. PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE PASSENGER SIDE GAS TANK STRAP HANGING DOWN TOUCHING THE GROUND. *TR

FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT BEHIND DRIVER'S SEAT LEAKING FUEL IN A STREAM ONLY WHEN TANK IS FULL. WHEN VIEWED FROM THE TOP, THERE IS AN ENCLOSED PLASTIC COLUMN, APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF AN INCH IN DIAMETER THAT IS LEAKING AT A "SEAM" THROUGH PINHOLES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF YET IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/13/11*LJ UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 01/04/2012 *LN *TR