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URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
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thrty8street
Posts: 599
Joined: Feb 21, 2011 1:13 AM
Location: Maryland

URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by thrty8street »

Does anyone have experience with a URO Fuel Level Sending Unit? The OEM unit is over $400.

Image

https://eeuroparts.com/product/uro/16121153050

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-fu ... 21153050-1
thrty8street
Posts: 599
Joined: Feb 21, 2011 1:13 AM
Location: Maryland

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by thrty8street »

Should I be the guinea pig and test this thing out?

I am planning on putting in a new in-tank fuel pump and this is one of those "while I'm in there" type of scenarios. My fuel level gauge has always been wonky so I figure this will fix it. Although, I have read that cleaning the stock fuel level unit with some alcohol will clean off some debris that may cause it to get stuck. I just want to avoid having to go back and forth chasing an issue if I can fix it on the first try.

Any suggestions?
Last edited by thrty8street on Jul 19, 2023 4:06 PM, edited 2 times in total.
turbodan
Posts: 9246
Joined: Jan 09, 2007 10:19 PM

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by turbodan »

It might be alright. If the price is worth a gamble, might be worth a shot. I'm sure it won't match the original in terms of quality and longevity, I've never had one fail. A good used one should be easy to come by, that's probably the best way to go unless people are trying to wring a bunch of money out of them.
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by LarryM »

OP: Just wondering if you tried out the URO unit, and what your experience was.

Pretty sure my fuel level sending unit has failed too, and am trying to decide which way to go: used or new replacement. As you noted, new OE ones are pricey.
austin8753
Posts: 1498
Joined: May 16, 2010 1:37 AM
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by austin8753 »

i'd go with a used unit before i bought a URO unit.
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by LarryM »

Yes, URO doesn't have a great rep. My inclination is always to go new OEM, but if I were to find a known-good used one I'd consider it.
gwb72tii
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Joined: Sep 21, 2021 4:58 PM
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by gwb72tii »

LarryM wrote: Dec 12, 2024 12:43 AM Yes, URO doesn't have a great rep. My inclination is always to go new OEM, but if I were to find a known-good used one I'd consider it.
I have heard of the bad rep for URO for years, way before buying an e28. When my tii was rear ended, forcing repairs and an eventual complete resto, I had to use various URO parts as a lot of OEM parts aren’t available. I have to say I’m pretty happy with the parts, mostly things like door weatherstripping and various rubber bits. I recently bought and installed a trunk seal from URO for my e28, and it fits perfectly. Hard to imagine the factory piece would be better.

I have no reason to defend URO, other than I haven’t had issues with their parts so far.
thrty8street
Posts: 599
Joined: Feb 21, 2011 1:13 AM
Location: Maryland

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by thrty8street »

LarryM wrote: Dec 11, 2024 8:06 PM OP: Just wondering if you tried out the URO unit, and what your experience was.

Pretty sure my fuel level sending unit has failed too, and am trying to decide which way to go: used or new replacement. As you noted, new OE ones are pricey.
I did not try the URO unit. The URO unit it currently priced at 135 - I almost feel like I should take one for the team just to try it out. I will update this thread if I go this route.

Are you having issues with your fuel gauge?
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by LarryM »

thrty8street wrote: Dec 12, 2024 10:56 AM
LarryM wrote: Dec 11, 2024 8:06 PM OP: Just wondering if you tried out the URO unit, and what your experience was.

Pretty sure my fuel level sending unit has failed too, and am trying to decide which way to go: used or new replacement. As you noted, new OE ones are pricey.
I did not try the URO unit. The URO unit it currently priced at 135 - I almost feel like I should take one for the team just to try it out. I will update this thread if I go this route.

Are you having issues with your fuel gauge?
Since I purchased my car over 10 years ago my fuel gauge has never registered over 3/4 full, even just after a fill up. It’s a minor annoyance but something I’ve always wanted to take care of; other work on the car took priority.

There are some used sending units on eBay with asking prices of ~$150 but in the end I’ll probably just go with new. Hopefully they aren’t being outsourced to China like some other parts are now.
austin8753
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Location: Portland, Oregon, USA

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by austin8753 »

they are 100% made in China, but then again, the Continental/Siemens/VDO stuff is also all made in China today. i've ran a few of their fuel pumps over the years with no success. they work for about a year; i would imagine a fuel level sender having about the same length of longevity.
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by LarryM »

^^^ Thanks for pointing that out. After my experience with multiple Chinese-made heater valves and other parts over the years, no more.
I'll shop for used.
K-jetFTW
Posts: 16
Joined: Aug 24, 2021 3:33 PM
Location: The Northland

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by K-jetFTW »

Confirmed, I installed the URO sender with a new in tank pump. Both proudly assembled in China, both work fine so far 6 months on.  

The main concern for me was whether these 2 units together were going to form a good seal.  No issues so far with a full tank.

Any questions lmk.
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by LarryM »

Did you notice any apparent differences in quality between the  OE and URO components? 
K-jetFTW
Posts: 16
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Location: The Northland

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by K-jetFTW »

IIRC the unit itself seemed a bit lighter weight wise. Mostly I was suspicious of the new gasket, seemed less pliable. Other than that, nothing stood out.

It all went together as 2 factory units would, no seepage at the seals. It came with all needed nuts, washers, gasket. I'm expecting the el-cheapo pump itself to quit first, but for now that's ok too.
Mike W.
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Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by Mike W. »

Oddly no final resolution, but there was a thread on First Fives a while ago about just replacing the wire inside the sending unit. And apparently the right wire was sourced.

https://www.firstfives.org/phpBB-3.2.1/ ... hp?p=29996
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by LarryM »

^^^ Too bad there were no updates on that thread. I found that wire on Amazon and I'd be willing to try repairing my existing sending unit if it actually resolves the issue.
K-jetFTW
Posts: 16
Joined: Aug 24, 2021 3:33 PM
Location: The Northland

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by K-jetFTW »

My original sender still worked fine. However, the level of corrosion present had eaten the pot metal of the top plate to half its size, and also eaten into the dead pump. 3 of the senders mounting holes were gone, and it was sealed with orange gasket maker. Obviously all new parts were in order.

I'm glad I got it done, I figure these new parts are several degrees less dangerous. I suspect others have uncovered that type of corrosion under that trunk plate....
URO Support
Posts: 1
Joined: Jan 30, 2025 7:43 PM
Location: Simi Valley, CA

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by URO Support »

Hi everyone, we sell quite a few of Fuel Tank Sending Unit 16 14 1 152 266 annually, which is covered by our two-year, unlimited mileage warranty.  If anyone tries one and has any issues (please let us know via our website), we'll certainly be happy to get you taken care of with a warranty replacement.  Hope that helps!

Tags: 16141152266, 16121153050, 16 12 1 153 050
turbodan
Posts: 9246
Joined: Jan 09, 2007 10:19 PM

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by turbodan »

If yall are willing to stand behind your products and maintain a presence in the community, it goes a long way.  Most aftermarket suppliers give zero shits, so we certainly appreciate it.
LarryM
Posts: 1249
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: URO Fuel Level Sending Unit?

Post by LarryM »

Appreciate URO Support chiming in.
I had made the decision to purchase a new BMW sending unit, which arrived a few days ago. It’s made by VDO with a BMW part number on it, and I was pleasantly surprised to see it was indeed “Made in Germany”. I installed it today and well, it works. For the first time in the 10+ years I’ve owned my car, the fuel gauge registers on the “full” mark (rather than 3/4 full) after a complete fill up. 
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