Fuel Tank Removal - Is that a brake pipe?

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BigDave1
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Post Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:22 pm

I am indebted to the Zone's regulars - donation on its way!!. Being a DIY smart-ar$e but not a devout mechanic I have used the Zone's brilliant Search facility extensively to tackle this busy job - excellent help and advice for all the tricky bits and I'm now ready to remove the fuel tank. My car is a '88 325i Sport. To the point: I have disconnected the pipes to the fuel filter and the one into the side of the tank. I have removed the fuel filter too. What's now stopping me from dropping the tank is that two pipes have been routed up through the metal lip of the tank, just above the fuel filter housing, and one looks suspiciously like a brake pipe. I'm really not keen to disconnect it but it seems I have no choice. Confusingly, no-one else has mentioned this as a problem in any fuel tank removal related thread, so clearly I'm being a bit over-cautious. Can someone talk me through this last part of the job?
B7
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Post Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:50 pm

Would need a photo to confirm but I would say you are looking at the supply fuel line (to the filter) and the fuel breather.
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BigDave1
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Post Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:00 pm

That makes sense! I'll disconnect it gently tomorrow and see what seeps out. I'll also take a picture if it turns out to be brake fluid. Thanks for replying. BD1
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Brianmoooore
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Post Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:09 pm

E30 brake line runs up and above the fuel tank, but doesn't interfere with its removal in any way.
However, if the brake pipe has been replaced on the cheap, it may no longer follow the original route, and could possibly impede removing the tank.
All that needs to be removed on the standard set up are the two fuel pipes at the bottom front of the tank on the LH side, the level sender plug under the LH inspection cover in the rear seat base, the sender plug, pump plug and the two breather pipes under the RH cover.