I got a fuel leak for Christmas!

"Clown Shoe Pilot" (csp) 12/25/2014 at 18:54 • Filed to: None

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E36 fuel tanks/pumps/level sender units are made out of plastic that apparently lasts about 6-7 years. My car is a 2001. I had a leak in 2007 (or maybe early 2008) that required dropping the whole tank to replace some parts. That was warranty work, this time it won't be.

Dropping the tank is a major production. You have to remove the whole exhaust system, driveshaft, and complete back axle assembly. This would be a LOT easier with a lift, and I don't have one.

Funktheduck > Clown Shoe Pilot 12/25/2014 at 18:58

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See if anywhere around you rents out garage bays. I need to do the same thing with my truck but it's not as intensive as yours. It's not my primary mode of transport so I can wait for warm weather.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Funktheduck 12/25/2014 at 19:08

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Mine's a weekend car too, I've got a daily that doesn't have a fuel leak and still has 50K miles of warranty coverage :)

Steve in Manhattan > Clown Shoe Pilot 12/25/2014 at 19:20

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Still, dropping the fuel tank (and a few hundred bucks) is better than A FIRE! Like those fires that consume Ferraris, and Lambos, and Dick Van Dyke's Jaguar . And Dick does not deserve that.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Steve in Manhattan 12/25/2014 at 19:22

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Truth. A fire would suck 8 different kinds of ass. Maybe this is the catalyst to build my shop and get a lift :)

Steve in Manhattan > Clown Shoe Pilot 12/25/2014 at 19:43

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When I got my '87 300D I also started dating the assistant service manager. Once a month they had mechanics' night, which meant the mechanics could use the dealership's facilities to fix their own cars. I was let in - nothing like getting your own car up in the air and seeing what's what. Replaced an exhaust hanger, changed out the differential fluid, and I can't remember what else. Good times.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Clown Shoe Pilot 12/25/2014 at 21:22

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Are you sure this requires dropping the fuel tank? My e36(and e30 and e46) all have fuel pump/level senders accessible by pulling up the rear seat and removing the access panel. AFAIK the only reason you need to drop the tank out is if you need to replace a hose that runs over the top of the tank. Its really easy to check, just grab the lower front edge of the rear seat bench and pull upwards kinda hard. They are not actually bolted in, they just have a pair of clips, the access panel should be a roughly round metal plate held on by 3 or 4 bolts on the passenger side of the car, you may have to pull up a flap of sound deadening material to get to it.

Clown Shoe Pilot > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 12/25/2014 at 21:26

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The last time I had this problem, it was the piping that needed to be replaced. I'm aware of the inspection panel behind the passenger seat (Z3 M Coupe, no rear seat) and I'm going to chase that down first. I'd very much prefer not taking the entire back of the car apart.

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Clown Shoe Pilot 12/25/2014 at 21:30

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Are you just able to smell the fuel, or is it visibly leaking below the car?

Clown Shoe Pilot > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 12/25/2014 at 21:37

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smell only

e36Jeff now drives a ZHP > Clown Shoe Pilot 12/25/2014 at 21:40

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There is a strong chance its just the plastic nipple on the top of the fuel pump that has cracked, that's a fairly normal failure method(along with it just stops spinning some day, I've had that one...3 times, once per car). I'd check the access panel first to see if there is any damage/leaking going on before I worry too much about needing to find a place to drop the tank.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Clown Shoe Pilot 12/25/2014 at 21:45

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My leak was a rusted through line, replaced it and the leak was gone. I hope for the best for you, E36 fo life, son.

Clown Shoe Pilot > e36Jeff now drives a ZHP 12/25/2014 at 22:05

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I'm hoping for that. I don't remember all the details, but it MIGHT be that the z3 tank has its pump in a slightly different position and the pump has "extensions" on it to get everything in the right place. Anyway, I'll peel it open in the next several days to take a look.