Fuel sending unit?

[Guest]

Hey, there are a couple of problems with my 1988 325is and was wondering if it could possibly be the fuel sending unit.

1. the gas gauge doesnt work. it will move up to the 1/2 point but thats it. it wont go up more, nor does it really move down.
2. the fuel economy gauge only works half the time.
3. i normally fill up after ~200 miles (321km) (and the tank tops off at 9-10 gallons, ~36 Liters). if i drive more, the engine sometimes starts to sputtering erractically; the rpms drop and shoot up, and the engine just sounds horrible. (it will run fine, then go through a small time of struggling to even keep power, then fix itself, and its repeated like a mile later), are these symptoms of running out of gas? or does the car just normally die quietly when you're out of gas...
4. when i near the ~180 mile (289km) mark, a whining noise appears form the rear driver side of the car. and it is LOUD. (think "EEEEEEEEEEEE" that i can hear with windows closed, over the exhaust, and radio).

I've been told that it could be the fuel pump, but it was just replaced in August, and mechanics from 2 different shops say it is fine. So since the fuel gauge is problematic, could it be the fuel sending unit? I know it's in charge of the gauges, but what about the inability to drive a full 16 gallons or the whining noise?

[andyp]

i had a problem like this not long ago with the gauge reading half a tank even when empty and after changing the sender unit with no difference, it turned out to be the clocks even then i had to try two sets as the first set i changed to the gauge did not move at all,

[Guest]

The clocks? like time clock?

What could account for the noises and the other issues though? I was thinking maybe I need to change the fuel filter?

[hogweed]

We call the rev counter and speedo clocks here mate!

[johnl320]

it wouldnt hurt to change the fuel filter and see what happens