318 is Fuel Leak

Post Sat May 06, 2006 11:06 am

For some time now I have smelt fuel when starting the 318is - the smell seems to disapear after a short time.

On looking under the bonnet this morning just after the car was started I noticed a small drip coming from the metal fuel pipe where it curves and disapears behind the inlet manifold. Obviously its not the metal fuel pipe itself leaking so I guess its whatever it is attached to that I can't see behind the inlet manifold.

Does anyone know wher this pipe goes and what is the likely cause of the leak? Also - is it gonna be a big job to replace? It looks like the inlet manifold might have to come off to get to it.

Cheers

Robin

Post Sat May 06, 2006 11:16 am

I have a different engine, but it probably goes to the fuel rail/ injectors.
and is probably a loose jubalee clip or perished fuel hose.

Post Sat May 06, 2006 12:39 pm

There are two short lengths of hose which join the metal pipes to the fuel rail which, due to the heat so close to the engine, perish and crack much more rapidly. You will need to take off at least the upper part of the intake manifold to access them, and if you do I'd recommend new gaskets for the manifold and throttle body, and check the condition of any other hoses while you're there.

Post Sat May 06, 2006 12:48 pm

Thanks - I had a feeling it was gonna be that. Do you know if they are they just ordinary bits of injection hose? The stealer wants about Ã‚£7 each for them!!!

Thanks

Robin

Post Sat May 06, 2006 1:51 pm

I used standard fuel hose cut to size. More info in this thread:
http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... ic&t=28698

Post Sat May 06, 2006 3:52 pm

A common fault this one

mite as well replace the feed and return pipes while your there.

And clean the injectors with carb cleaner for good measure

both my Is' have had this fault,!

Post Sat May 06, 2006 4:05 pm

i've done this job on a few iS's including mine and Duffs17' (fellow zoner)

it is a very 'fiddly' job, but if yours is leaking this badly then it definately needs to be done!!!

if you want, i could do it for you? where abouts do you live?

Post Sat May 06, 2006 4:10 pm

Mine has the identical problem too!
Ive already got some new pipe,so was going to replace them all while im at it.

Ive bought new inlet manifold gaskets from the dealers as well,because im going to take off the full manifold and paint it Black to match the rocker cover too and remove the TB heater plate while im at it!

Post Sat May 06, 2006 4:26 pm

eko wrote:Mine has the identical problem too!
Ive already got some new pipe,so was going to replace them all while im at it.

Ive bought new inlet manifold gaskets from the dealers as well,because im going to take off the full manifold and paint it Black to match the rocker cover too and remove the TB heater plate while im at it!

This is exaclty what i did. With the top half of the manifold off it really is a doddle!

Post Sat May 06, 2006 4:28 pm

Dan im going to take the whole manifold off,paint it Black,or is this a bit tooooo involved?
Ive bought engine-inlet and then top-bottom inlet gaskets ready!

Post Sat May 06, 2006 4:29 pm

eko wrote:Dan im going to take the whole manifold off,paint it Black,or is this a bit tooooo involved?
Ive bought engine-inlet and then top-bottom inlet gaskets ready!

Both top and bottom halves? i wouldnt bother with the second bit you can hardly see it can you?

Post Sat May 06, 2006 4:32 pm

Just assumed thats what everyone did

So you would say dont bother?

Post Sat May 06, 2006 4:39 pm

eko wrote:Just assumed thats what everyone did

So you would say dont bother?

I wouldnt. dont think many people have just do the top half mate imo

Post Sat May 06, 2006 4:42 pm

Ok - thanks everyone - looks like a job for next W/E then. I think I will use fuel hose from a motor factor as for some reason BMW ones sem to be stupidly priced.

Thanks to Stuart for the offer to do it for me but I think I will do it myself - I hope I don't regret it

Post Sat May 06, 2006 4:47 pm

OK fella, best of luck!

let me know if you come unstuck, and i'll throw you some advice...

Post Sat May 06, 2006 9:30 pm

Yep had to do this on mine too

It's not Ã‚£7 each for the hose, just order one part and you get a big length of it (waaaay more than you need) and then cut a couple of bits off it

Get a new gasket for the upper part of the inlet manifold, shouldnt need the other ones unless you're going to do more work while there

Its all pretty easy apart from re-attaching the cooling hoses to the throttle body heating plates which are total bastards to get to reach. Though if you remove the throttle body (and put a new gasket in there while at it) then they may be somewhat easier to reconnect

Post Sat May 06, 2006 10:18 pm

martinclan wrote:. I think I will use fuel hose from a motor factor as for some reason BMW ones sem to be stupidly priced.

Three years ago I replaced the 15 year old engine end rubber fuel hoses on my wifes 325 touring with motor factor hose because they looked a bit cracked. Earlier this year I replaced them again because fuel at 45 PSI was squirting over the engine bay!
You get what you pay for.

Post Sun May 07, 2006 4:42 pm

Brianmoooore wrote: You get what you pay for.

definately!!!

Post Sun May 14, 2006 9:58 pm

All sorted. The only tricky bit was getting the water pipes to the throttle body back on. Much easier if you seperate the manifold and throttle body first. If anyone else does this job I would suggest you also buy replacements for the crankcrase breather hoses that are under the manifold. Mine were shot (quick repair using heat shrink tubing) and I shall have to have it all to bits again in the not to distant future to replace these. For anyone interested you can see a couple of pictures here http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/martinclan/318ispictures.htm