petrol leak

[sparky1972]

Hi got a 91 316i petrol is leaking from the tank from the hose underneath behind a cross member tried to tighten clip but still dripping the tank looks ok but there is rust where the pipe,connects to the tank.

is the tank knackered and if so how easy to replace help cos my misses is complaing of petrol smell in the house

[sparky1972]

just had a nasty shock a new tank is £300 from bmw looks like the girls goto to go cant afford that so if anyone wants a bmw 316i please pm me (sorry if this against zone rules )

[E30BeemerLad]

It will be gone like this one is

[E30BeemerLad]

just had a nasty shock a new tank is £300 from bmw looks like the girls goto to go cant afford that so if anyone wants a bmw 316i please pm me (sorry if this against zone rules )

Don't go to BMW for a tank as you'll get reamed.

GSF sell them for about £165 now, which is more expensive than they used to be (around £105 before)

[sparky1972]

not had tank out but yep it looks like thats whats happened looking underneth to remove the tank theres the hose and several bolts and presto out comes the tank is that right and obviously the sensor any thing ive missed?

[daimlerman]

Fitting a tank is time consuming rather than difficult,you need to remove the exhaust,heatshields,propshaft etc to get at the thing. Will be best to allow a day for the job if you are a non profesional mechanic.Tank it's self is held by five bolts accessed from under the car,there are also electrical and fuel pipe connections under the two hatches that hide under the rear seat base.Take care to note where pipes and wires go to make re-assembly easier. The tanks fail around the stub pipe where the fuel enters the tank,another leak point is the filler pipe down to the tank,be worth checking just where your leak is before commiting to a new tank.

[318ismith]

My 318is is leaking when I fill it, stopped leaking once in got to c.2/3rds of a tank. I cannot see where its leaking from.

Can the tanks be repaired to avoid an expensive replacement?

[daimlerman]

You will need to spend half a day removing and re-fitting the tank.It takes a very brave or foolish man to attempt a proper,welded repair to a petrol tank.You could try a Frost's 'petrol tank repair kit ' if you must,but after all the time,effort and swearing that goes into removing the bloody thing it just a'nt worth the effort.

[318ismith]

fair point.

Would a leak in the tank cause my pump to buzz as it can't create the pressure or is that a seperate problem??

[asmith88]

probly a seperate problem with the pump

[LeonNewton]

i got a second hand tank of hear a few years back. worked a treat. think i have another spare that dont leek. pm me and ill get back to you after iv checked it out.

[Darragh]

i have exactly the same problem! i though it was the rubber filler hose, but after seeing the pic of the rusty tank im now convinced!
i have a spare tank but its from a saloon. mine is a touring. will this fit??