Car leaking large amount of gas, wont start. I dun goofed.

[tjvan]

Alright so here's the deal. I was doing a the brakes on the rear of my car (1990 325i) and in trying to speed up the process I got careless with my jack placement and fucked something up.

As far as I can tell I placed the jack on the bottom of the gas tank. I say that only because there is a large dent in the bottom of it, but I'm not 100% that that was from me and not something else. What I do know is that every time I try to start my car now, not only will it not start but it also leaks a large amount of gas.

I have tried to located the origin of the leak by following the gas but I can't see a hole anywhere. Gas only leaks from the car when i'm trying to start it. When the car is just sitting no gas leaks out. As far as I can tell the leak is coming from somewhere above the fuel filter.

I was going to try and remove the fuel filter today and see if that might shed some light on the situation but alas shitty Michigan weather has forsaken me again. So instead of sitting in a parking lot in freezing cold rain I turn to you fellows.

So feel free to hurl any ideas, advice, opinions or insults my way.

Thanks

[Mr. Tasty]

This kinda doesn't have anything to do with it, but I would recommend taking the rear seat out, and looking at the pump and the alike. Would rule some stuff out. It seems like you have two, different problems. I couldn't think of a reason why the car would be leaking when you try starting it, unless there is a fuel line, after the pump that is disconnected. Check that first.

[delatlanta1281]

What side did you get careless on? What year is your car?

[lostbeachbum]

From what you say in how the car only leaks fuel when trying to start it means that it cant be the actual tank itself. Please look from the fuel pump to the fuel filter. Could be that you jacked up on a fuel line and when pressurized it starts to leak. Also what side is this leaking coming from?

[10Toes]

Probably not the gas tank if it is only leaking when you are trying to start it. It has to be after the fuel pump and is not making enough pressure to run. Have a friend look for the leak while you are cranking if you can not find it just by looking.

[tjvan]

The car is a 1990. I jacked it up on the rear passenger side and that is where the leak is coming from also. I figured it probably wasn't the tank because if it was there would just be a constant leak.

[george graves]

Do yourself a favor and don't park near any buildings until you get this fixed.

[priapism]

You probably crushed a fuel line. A teammate of mine did that once jacking up the car, it's easy to do.

[TurboJake]

You probably crushed a fuel line. A teammate of mine did that once jacking up the car, it's easy to do.

Or the filter. There's metal lines and the filter right there. Could have easily happened if it's rusty too. Those lines tend to rust out on northern cars.

[jrobie79]

fuel filter is on drivers side tho right?

[Ceeker]

since you aren't able to see the actual leak my guess is that when you jacked the car up and the tank pressed up against the line which runs along the top of the tank. You may have crushed it between the body and the tank. Because it isn't below the tank gravity won't feed to the lowest point causing a leak until you pressurize the system. In any case, if it is that far up. you won't be able to repair it so easily. You'll most likely need to drop the tank to get access to these lines to have enough room to work and to repair it. I am hoping this isn't the case as these tanks are NOT fun to take out. as suggested, remove the inspection plate under the rear seat to see if you get any fuel collecting up top. you will see the partial lines running the length of the tank. this should tell you lots. if this is the case, it will pool up there before it finds it's way down.

what is common? these lines tend to rust especially in northern climates.

[dannyyisntt]

Where in Michigan are you?

Check the lines after the pump to the filter and around the filter area. If those aren't the problem, you'll probably need to drop the tank...my advice: find somebody with a lift.

[autbot318i]

i too have a dent but not leaking. always have to keep above half tank or else i cut off.
it could be that you damaged the plug from teh bottom and its leaking from there.

[tjvan]

Alright so I got down there today and started removing the fuel filter. When I was taking off the hose connected to the filter the metal tube on the back of the filter basically shaped right off in the hose. So I bought a new fuel filter and cut off the part of the hose with the tube still stuck inside (along with a rusted clamp) and went about putting the new one in there.

Afterwards I tried starting it up again and after a few tries it finally got going. It's still leaking a little bit but I think after I adjust one of the hoses and clamps it should be good to go.

Thanks for all the advice and ideas guys.

[Ceeker]

good to hear it was minor.. :-)