External fuel pump and no transfer pump?

[afterglow]

I have an 87 320i (Japan version) which has an external fuel pump. The pump is starting to die so I was planning to install a Walbro in place of the in-tank transfer pump and get rid of the external pump. It turns out that my car doesn't have a transfer pump:




All this time I thought an external pump automatically means an in-tank transfer pump as well. Guess not.

What's my best plan of attack considering I'm planning on swapping in an M30B35 soon? The easiest way seems to be to swap out the external pump but I'm wondering if it'll be okay without the transfer pump. There doesn't seem to be an easy way to install an internal pump.

[101]

That sure looks like an internal pump to me.

In your pictures you've pulled out the sending unit (three wire plug). Now disconnect those hoses and the two wire plug and turn the assembly about 1/8 turn and pull it out of the tank and see what it is. I'm not an expert on Japanese versions, but my internal pump on my late model looks exactly like that.

[Andy.B]

Yeah, the piece the fuel level sender bolts into IS the low pressure lift pump.

[reelizmpro]

Pull the whole unit out, not just the level sender.

[pandaboo911]

You have 2 hoses going in. Feed and return. If it were a late model high pressure pump there'd only be one hose.

Twist the whole thing, get a screw driver one of the tabs and smack it to break it loose. I don't recall if you twist clockwise or counter clockwise

[vpilarrt]

Late model US 318is has 2 lines. Return dumps right onto the top of the pump.

[TobyB]

Yeah, unscrew the whole 'sender' unit and see what you find.

and put some sho3s on!

hee

t