I got fuelling issues with my M52 E30. E30’s had two different fuel tank setups depending on their age. Pre facelifts had a smaller fuel tank with a ”alifter pump”a inside the tank and an external pump just in front of the nearside rear wheel.
Facelifts had a larger tank with a single? Pump inside the tank.
Mines a pre facelift and my external pump is very loud and whining. When I hit circa 4/5k rpm it just gives up. I also get issues going round corners at lower rpm ”“ even with a full tank!
So, what have other people done with regards to fuelling? I guess the best option is to upgrade to the later tank. But has anyone upgraded the pre facelift external fuel pump? If so what have you used?
M52 Fueling
Moderator: martauto
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Jibberingloon
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 260
- Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:00 pm
- Location: Oxfordshire Baby
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Had the same problem with M50....
The Fuel Pump was fcked!
Changed the fuel pump and solved the problem.
I have the old skool tank with pump and return and sender all in one unit.
The Fuel Pump was fcked!
Changed the fuel pump and solved the problem.
I have the old skool tank with pump and return and sender all in one unit.
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Any of the standard fuel pump set ups should be more than capable of supplying a M52, so, as suggested above, you probably have a duff pump (or filter).
A pressure gauge connected into the supply pipe will confirm.
Facelift cars come with two different sized tanks, both with a single in tank pump, but the difference between the two is far more than one holding a few more litres than the other. The bigger tank is much more sophisticated in the way it works.
A pressure gauge connected into the supply pipe will confirm.
Facelift cars come with two different sized tanks, both with a single in tank pump, but the difference between the two is far more than one holding a few more litres than the other. The bigger tank is much more sophisticated in the way it works.
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SteSE
- Heading for the Naughty Room
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Thanks chaps. Yes I know the pump is on its last legs, it would occasionally do this with the M20 when cornering. What after market pumps would you recommend as real oem has the pump priced at c£300
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
This one should be fine: http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/B ... 7d2&000148
It says that this is an 'in tank' pump, but the pic. is definitely an external one.
Before you invest, check that your lift pump in the tank is working OK. If these fail, it gives symptoms like you describe, and make the external pump very noisy.
It says that this is an 'in tank' pump, but the pic. is definitely an external one.
Before you invest, check that your lift pump in the tank is working OK. If these fail, it gives symptoms like you describe, and make the external pump very noisy.
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Jibberingloon
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 260
- Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:00 pm
- Location: Oxfordshire Baby
- Contact:
Go and by a pump out a scraper....
£20.... if that.
Job done.
£20.... if that.
Job done.
