Fuel Rail - Fuel Line Routing (Pre 05/88 production)

[KIRIEIW]

As some know, the pre 05/88 production e30's (I'm talking about the 2.5L models here so 325i, 325iS) have a different style fuel injector harness along with a different fuel rail. The fuel feed line nipple on the fuel rail is closest to the firewall, while 6/88 e30's have the fuel feed line nipple next to the fuel pressure regulator.


My question.. How the hell was this routed from the factory. I'll post a picture of my car, it doesn't appear to be routed properly. Is the fuel line supposed to exit between cylinder 3/4 on the intake manifold? Does the line truly wrap all the way around the intake manifold just like my car is now?



Thanks in advance.




IMG_0006 by Kevin O'Brien, on Flickr


IMG_9979 by Kevin O'Brien, on Flickr

[Tinkerer007]

Mine is run back between the firewall and intake manifold.
Like this:
https://www.google.com/search?q=bmw+...gx1yiT6-yh8ENM

But mine goes under the throttle cables.

[roguetoaster]

There is no way that is supposed to be on top of the VC, probably supposed to go under the IM, but if it's a soft line you can route in any way you feel is safe. Your routing looks more like an ETA with a cold start injector.

[KIRIEIW]

There is no way that is supposed to be on top of the VC, probably supposed to go under the IM, but if it's a soft line you can route in any way you feel is safe. Your routing looks more like an ETA with a cold start injector.

It's how I bought the car haven't touched it yet.. Obviously shouldn't be on top of the valve cover. Just interested how the factory ran the fuel line so I can return back to stock. Only three options that I can see,



1. Ran along the injector harness and completely around the intake manifold, how it is now but trim the hose shorter so it doesn't rest on the valve cover.

2. Ran along side the injector harness and go underneath the intake manifold by the bitch tube, between Cyl 3 and Cyl 4.

3. Ran along the firewall/ starter area and connect it directly into the fuel feed line.

[KIRIEIW]

Think I'm going to route the line underneath the manifold between cyl 3 and 4 by the bitch tube. Been looking at a ton of BaT listings and all the hoses curve toward the front of the engine, not towards the firewall (so I can rule out option 3). I'm not able to see the fuel feed line along side the fuel pressure regulator in any pics, which is telling me it must go underneath the manifold by the bitch tube.


Can the fuel line be ran any way that works? Sure. But I'd like route it the "right" way..


Best video I've found so far..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rkfvfpiZUc

[roguetoaster]

The "right" way is really where it's in no real danger of rub through, heat, or rotational abrasion, and has the shortest practical run. I think under intake with some sort of clip, or a cut piece of fuel line over the actual line + zip ties or a clamp should do the trick. OTOH, since fuel line should be replaced every once in a while you could just go for safe + easily serviceable.

Although I do understand your desire to understand the factory arrangement it should be remembered that BMW thought that multiple dampers, multiple pumps in lieu of a crossover, and heat exchangers that run through an AC line were sensible for fuel line routing. So, I would totally second guess them on this one.