Fuel leak in engine bay - 325

[PeteE30Tourer]

Evening All,
Been a long while since I was last on here, but after several years in the garage, it’s time to get my 325 cab out again.

Thing is, last time I fired her up in the garage, I could smell fuel and there was a persistent drip of fuel on the intake manifold side of the engine. I’m guessing some seals or pipes have perished. Can anyone recommend which parts I should order from the dealer please?

It’s awkward for me to get access to see where the leak is, so I’d rather just buy parts to replace the most likely culprits and do it all in one go.

Cheers

[DanThe]

"The intake side" does not narrow it down much, but you are best to replace all the fuel hose and clips, you can't go wrong with dealer supplied hose but buying from elsewhere can be very hit and miss so I would advice you contact Cotswold BMW on here

[PeteE30Tourer]

Hello again,
Been looking at this again today and narrowed it down to fuel leaking from the fuel rail between cylinders 4&5. I took a video of it happening and it’s flowing quite a lot. Can’t remember how to post videos on here - can someone help please?

So I got my tools out and took the entire inlet manifold off to get to the fuel rail and injectors. I took all the injectors out, hoping to find a split seal, but it looks like they’re all good.

Considering sending them to Injectortune to be checked (is this still the go-to place for cleaning injectors?).

Any other suggestions??

[boiliebasher]

Hello again,
Been looking at this again today and narrowed it down to fuel leaking from the fuel rail between cylinders 4&5. I took a video of it happening and it’s flowing quite a lot. Can’t remember how to post videos on here - can someone help please?

So I got my tools out and took the entire inlet manifold off to get to the fuel rail and injectors. I took all the injectors out, hoping to find a split seal, but it looks like they’re all good.

Considering sending them to Injectortune to be checked (is this still the go-to place for cleaning injectors?).

Any other suggestions??

By the sounds of it you have a split fuel hose if it's leaking that much petrol. As a matter of course I'd just replace them all anyway. And don't skimp out on cheap fuel line either, been there, done that and with all the ethanol and crap they put it petrol these days it doesn't take long to deteriorate.

Oh and don't bother with injectortune. Total waste of time and money IMHO

[fixedwheelnut]

It will be the two pieces of rubber fuel pipe at either end of the fuel rail, they harden with age and leak, I would recommend changing all the rubber fuel pipes on the car in the engine bay and at the rear by the fuel tank.

Much better to spend a few quid now rather than watch it go up in flames.

The pipes that are probably leaking are probably 13, 15 & 12 on this first diagram that are not shown as available, but in the second diagram of rear hoses I ordered extra hoses of number 9 in the second diagram which have the correct bends in them and just cut them to length, most of the other hoses are straight and can be purchased by the meter and cut to length.


https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=13_0267

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=16_0303

[martauto]

Can’t remember how to post videos on here - can someone help please?

viewtopic.php?f=114&t=277020

This may help you.

Mart.

[PeteE30Tourer]

It will be the two pieces of rubber fuel pipe at either end of the fuel rail, they harden with age and leak, I would recommend changing all the rubber fuel pipes on the car in the engine bay and at the rear by the fuel tank.

Much better to spend a few quid now rather than watch it go up in flames.

The pipes that are probably leaking are probably 13, 15 & 12 on this first diagram that are not shown as available, but in the second diagram of rear hoses I ordered extra hoses of number 9 in the second diagram which have the correct bends in them and just cut them to length, most of the other hoses are straight and can be purchased by the meter and cut to length.


https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=13_0267

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=16_0303

Many thanks for this. I’m going to replace as much as I can on the basis I don’t want to be taking anything apart again!!

[reggid]

Replace hoses and o-rings should be all that’s needed provided the fuel rail hasn’t rusted through (unlikely). Then it’s just a matter of installing correctly (lube o-rings make sure they seat correct and clips can be fitted)

[PeteE30Tourer]

Thanks reggid - what’s the best lube for the seals?