Rusty fuel tank cause exterior fuel pump whining, any other concern beyond pump?

[ForcedFirebird]

The fuel filters are a concern, as I just got them rebuilt. I only have driven the car maybe 150 miles since the noise started in the pump, hopefully the injectors are fine

Easy to check with the magnifying glass. The filters should be white with black plastic cages, and a gold/silver top retention ring - if they are brown in the filter area, good chance there's some clogging. They are very easy to change yourself. Kits are sold online with the removal tool for pennies.

EDIT: https://www.amazon.com/Injector-Bask...441170802&th=1

[ForcedFirebird]

Genius! Good to know

Actually, I stand corrected. Late model has in/out same end, just was reminded why. The long fuel injector plug rail requires the in/out same end, or the inlet fouls the plug rail. We notched the plastic cover to clear the inlet.

Experience. Testing a fresh race car chassis, I kept running into fuel starvation issues. The car had all the same tricks as our other car, but it made for a very bad day at the track. Near the end of the day, we had been cleaning injectors, cleaning filters, the tank was new and we couldn't figure out where the rust was coming from. Another e30 at the track wrecked his car, he lent me his injectors (with fuel rail still attached) and the issues went away. Studied the rail, and realized the inside was literally flaking off and wreaking havoc. After that, we always used the rails with in/out on both ends. Just keep in mind the late model injector harness with the c191 plug will not clear the early rail without modification.

[packratbimmer]

Sounds like you have an early fuel rail with the in and out on the same end. They tend to get rusted inside with the 6-12% ethanol in today's fuel. The later models have one fuel pump and the in/out are on opposing ends of the fuel rail. With the early rails, you get sediment built up in the injector filters.

Genius! Good to know

[roguetoaster]

Can't confirm if it will fit the new tank, but that's what they look like. $10 each is quite steep, and a good substitute might be a firewall grommet in the correct size, whatever it happens to be.

[IS300E30]

I located this rubber grommet for the fuel tank, my car however is a 7/87, it doesn't seem this sku coordinates with my month/year, it seems it is for the later and larger fuel tank

Attached is from RealOEM and here is it for sale:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...180152#fitment

[roguetoaster]

The isolators are rubber donuts that sit between the tank and the body mounts for the bolts, the PN may not be in every part diagram, or even any diagram, so search around, pretty sure someone found it before.

For evap lines you need the one larger line, which might be 13mm internal, perhaps 1.3 meters long, and the other lines can be replaced with standard 8mm or 5/16" fuel line with new clamps. None of the evap lines need to be rated for any real pressure, just fuel/ethanol resistant.

[IS300E30]

The two aftermarket brands of tank are probably exactly the same component. Just as the Bosch fuel pump could just be a branded version of the two or three different parts that exist for this application.

Just keep in mind, OE type stuff is sometimes exactly the same as the much lower price point stuff with a different name on it.

Be absolutely certain that the tank is painted with some more robust coating prior to installation, and be sure that the mounting isolators are replaced with new if available, or some decent non stock substitute. Also, don't forget those evap lines, since this is the best time to address them.

Can you provide me the part numbers for the mounting isolators that you are mentioning? Also, the Evap lines. I will be ordering everything tonight.

[IS300E30]

Sounds like you have an early fuel rail with the in and out on the same end. They tend to get rusted inside with the 6-12% ethanol in today's fuel. The later models have one fuel pump and the in/out are on opposing ends of the fuel rail. With the early rails, you get sediment built up in the injector filters.

The fuel filters are a concern, as I just got them rebuilt. I only have driven the car maybe 150 miles since the noise started in the pump, hopefully the injectors are fine

[ForcedFirebird]

The two aftermarket brands of tank are probably exactly the same component. Just as the Bosch fuel pump could just be a branded version of the two or three different parts that exist for this application.

Just keep in mind, OE type stuff is sometimes exactly the same as the much lower price point stuff with a different name on it.

Be absolutely certain that the tank is painted with some more robust coating prior to installation, and be sure that the mounting isolators are replaced with new if available, or some decent non stock substitute. Also, don't forget those evap lines, since this is the best time to address them.

I have installed dozens of aftermarket tanks, all late models (typical race car wants more capacity), Spectra brand is adequate and costs about $290 today's money.

[ForcedFirebird]

Sounds like you have an early fuel rail with the in and out on the same end. They tend to get rusted inside with the 6-12% ethanol in today's fuel. The later models have one fuel pump and the in/out are on opposing ends of the fuel rail. With the early rails, you get sediment built up in the injector filters.

[roguetoaster]

The two aftermarket brands of tank are probably exactly the same component. Just as the Bosch fuel pump could just be a branded version of the two or three different parts that exist for this application.

Just keep in mind, OE type stuff is sometimes exactly the same as the much lower price point stuff with a different name on it.

Be absolutely certain that the tank is painted with some more robust coating prior to installation, and be sure that the mounting isolators are replaced with new if available, or some decent non stock substitute. Also, don't forget those evap lines, since this is the best time to address them.

[IS300E30]

My BMW mechanic confirmed very slight signs of rust in the tank.

I am now going to change the tank, the fuel filter, and the fuel pump..... I always go OEM brands, but I just simply cannot justify the BMW tank for over $1,300 while the aftermarkets are in the $200 range.

I am going to buy the following:

Fuel Filter: Mann Fuel Pump: Bosch 69418

The tank I am struggling with. I am looking at either the Spectra Premium or the Dorman. It seems we have some positive reviews on here for the Spectra, but nothing for the slightly more expensive Dorman.

[ADEN]

Sometimes whining indicates high back pressue on the pump.
Check the system from the pump to the engine bay and check FPR sometimes clogged return line cause high pressure in the system.

How is your fuel consumption?

[roguetoaster]

I assume the filter comes first then the fuel pump? So, most likely the rust ripped a hole through the filter and then got to the pump and that why my pump is whining?

My memory is hazy on external pump E30s, but I think the filter is after the pump in the supply line. Is there some type of coarse filter in the pump, probably.

[IS300E30]

Fuel filters do a great job, until they get clogged, and then the media can tear, allowing debris forward. However, if the car runs well you are probably fine.

You can add a second filter in the engine bay area, depending on your E30 config.

Also remember, a whiny pump isn't necessarily going to die anytime soon, and you can clean them out if you think it has junk inside.

I do second the new fuel hard lines if you can do so. Further, be sure to get material to rebuild your evaporative lines from the tank to the expansion tank near the fuel filler while you replace your tank. The fuel filler neck/hose may also be sensible to replace.

I assume the filter comes first then the fuel pump? So, most likely the rust ripped a hole through the filter and then got to the pump and that why my pump is whining?