Affiliate link disclosure – The BMW Repair Guide uses affiliate links in their site. For more information on affiliate links, please click here.
Repair Summary
This article gives detailed instructions on replacing the fuel leak detection pump and charcoal filter in BMW E9x vehicles. Even though we used a 2011 335i to perform this repair, this article can be applied to any 2007-2013 3 series vehicles with minor modifications to the repair steps.
See all vehicles this article applies to
E90 3 Series M3
E90 3 Series 318d
E90 3 Series 335i
E90 3 Series 335xi
E90 3 Series 335d
E90 3 Series 330xd
E90 3 Series 330xi
E90 3 Series 330i
E90 3 Series 330d
E90 3 Series 328xi
E90 3 Series 328i
E90 3 Series 325xi
E90 3 Series 325i
E90 3 Series 323i
E90 3 Series 325d
E90 3 Series 320i
E90 3 Series 320si
E90 3 Series 320d
E90 3 Series 318i
E90 3 Series 316i
E90N 3 Series M3 CRT
E90N 3 Series 318i
E90N 3 Series M3
E90N 3 Series 335xi
E90N 3 Series 335i
E90N 3 Series 335d
E90N 3 Series 330xd
E90N 3 Series 330xi
E90N 3 Series 330i
E90N 3 Series 328xi
E90N 3 Series 330d
E90N 3 Series 328i
E90N 3 Series 325d
E90N 3 Series 325i
E90N 3 Series 325xi
E90N 3 Series 323i
E90N 3 Series 320xd
E90N 3 Series 320i
E90N 3 Series 320d ed
E90N 3 Series 320d
E90N 3 Series 318d
E90N 3 Series 316i
E90N 3 Series 316d
Replacing the fuel leak detection pump and charcoal filter in your 2007-2013 3 series is a simple repair that can save you a very expensive trip to the dealership.
The BMW E90 fuel leak detection pump is an important part of your vehicle's emissions system. As its name implies, its sole function is detect a vapor leak in the fuel system that would allow gas fumes to escape and contaminate the atmosphere. The BMW E90 fuel detection pump achieves this by temporarily pressurizing the fuel system with air. The fuel leak detection pump monitors this air pressure - if it drops even slightly, it notifies the engine control module (ECU) there is a vapor leak in the fuel system activating the Service Engine Light (SEL) and displaying a fault code on a diagnostic scanner.
The charcoal filter in 2007-2013 3 series vehicles is also an important part of the emissions system and is located adjacent to the leak detection pump. The filter traps and stores any fuel vapor in the system until it can be returned back to the engine for combustion (also known as "purging"). Since the charcoal filter and leak detection pump work in tandem with each other, both should be replaced together.
The symptoms that the fuel leak detection pump in your BMW E90 is failing are clear and concise - a Service Engine Light will appear in the instrument cluster followed by one of the following fault codes on a diagnostic scanner: P2400,P2401 or P2402.
The good news is replacing the BMW E90 fuel leak detection pump and charcoal canister in your 2007-2013 is very straightforward. They are both located under the rear left bumper which is easily accessed by removing just a few screws. We suggest using a floor jack to lift the rear of the vehicle to make the job go smoother. We give full step-by-step instructions including a video, exploded parts diagram, and parts links below for your convenience.
If the video does not appear below, please click here to view
View the video version of this repair.
View the detailed parts diagram for this repair.
Includes detailed part diagrams, part numbers and links to purchase all of the required components needed to complete this repair.
Section 1 - Removing the BMW E90 fuel leak detection pump and charcoal filter
The fuel leak detection pump and the charcoal filter (canister) is located underneath the rear left bumper in all 2007-2013 3 series vehicles. Performing this repair with the vehicle on the ground is extremely difficult and should be avoided - simply lifting the rear of the vehicle with a floor jack will allow the repair to go smoothly.- Raise the rear of the vehicle so the underside of the rear left bumper can be easily accessed.
- Using an 8mm socket wrench, remove the screws securing the lower bumper cover to the body of the vehicle. Remove the bumper cover.
- The fuel leak detection pump and charcoal canister can now be easily accessed.
- Remove the inner and outer vent lines from the charcoal canister. These can often be very difficult to remove - we suggest using slip joint pliers and a flat blade screwdriver as shown below to carefully pry them off.
- Remove the vent line from the leak detection pump.
- Unplug the fuel leak detection pump.
- Using a 10mm socket wrench, remove the two mounting bolts anchoring the charcoal filter to the body of the vehicle. Remove the charcoal filter/fuel leak detection pump from the vehicle.
- The fuel leak detection pump can be separated from the charcoal filter by removing the three torx screws from its mounting bracket and pulling the pump free.
BMW E90 Fuel Leak Detection Pump and Charcoal Filter Replacement Finsished
