Gushing Gasoline...

[TobyB]

I'm sorry to say it, but that o- ring won't let a gusher out.
Just a splasher.

One of your pressure hoses is leaking- which on this car (I think, unless the 318's way different)
is the one that says V Fuel on it.

But the hose clamp on the return line looks loose- might just be the pic, but if it's way loose, the return line sees a lot of flow, so that could do it too. As could any break on
top of the tank, and the fuel will run across the top...

sorry. Have you tried pulling up on the nuts with needlenose pliers while turning? Or better,
needlenose vice grips? Sometimes that works.

hth

t

[Threehz]

Needle nose, water pumps, pressure from below, nothing will make those nuts catch the threading and unscrew...

Well I know it's coming from where the fuel pump enters the gas tank. I know this because I watched as it poured out, cleaned it up with a towel and watched as it continued to pour out from that same spot.

I checked the fuel return line and it's very tight, as are all the others lines, and they show no signs of leakage.

Thanks for all the input. Tomorrow I'll seal the fuel pump properly, and then I'll know if any lines are leaking.

[TobyB]

Huh- that's odd. Maybe the 318 part does something different once it's in the tank...

How about drilling the nuts off- you know, where you take a small diameter
drill and drill thorugh the nut parallel to the bolt?
It would take a while, and be messy, but have a reduced chance of sparking...

t

[Threehz]

Yeah so I appeared to fix it again, but today halfway to school I lost power hardcore, had to grumble off the side of the road.. It's not leaking but I think the seal isn't perfect.

The drilling sounds like a good idea, except the heat and possible sparking... Fuuuuuuuuh. I was also thinking of just using large cutter, but it'll be hard to not fuck up the threads of the screw part...

Just got home from being towed. I think I coulda driven but I don't want to stress her out.

Maybe I knocked some shit in the gas tank and the fuel filter is just plugged now cause there seems to be no leaking..

Exhaust smells kinda fuely, what does that indicate?

[DaveSmed]

Sounds like a completely separate problem unless a vent line got flattened somehow. (or was full of spiders and it didn't matter till now) Try to get it to happen again and open up the gas cap.


I had your leaking problem, it really will only leak after you fill it. But boy, it'll leak like a pressure line blew. You probably had the issue as it was for awhile, but the warmer weather is exacerbating it.

[Threehz]

Yeah the heat is definitely not helping, we've been hitting 104 and 105 degrees out lately.

It's weird because the seal I made for the fuel pump is rock tight and doesn't appear to have any cracks or leaks...

Now this might start going off topic but.. What are rough idle on hot start (rises falls rises falls) then levels out, exhaust smells fuely, and strange power loss, symptomatic of?

I'm putting a new fuel filter in today just to rule that out.

[HarryPotter]

Did you even try what kershaw said? Looks like that's what's leaking.

[Threehz]

The braided return hose?

That wasn't leaking and now that I fixed the fuel pump seal, nothing in that area is leaking so far so I think that hose is ok.

I replaced the fuel filter this morning, took her for a test drive, no issues, no leaks. I'll be surprised if this was the needed fix but we'll see.

[hamilton325i]

Now this might start going off topic but.. What are rough idle on hot start (rises falls rises falls) then levels out, exhaust smells fuely, and strange power loss, symptomatic of?

This sounds like a rich condition to me. Have you pulled your plugs recently to see what kind of shape they are in?

[Threehz]

Did the valve cover gasket about a month and a half ago and I put brand new plugs in as well. Any other ideas?

[hamilton325i]

There are lots of options :) I'm trying to iron out a rich condition on my 89 325i and its proving to be really annoying.

Any idea how old your O2 sensor is? I would test it to make sure you are getting proper readings based on the specifications in ye old Bentley manual.

[Threehz]

PO said he had recently replaced the O2 sensor, not sure when or what condition the replacement was in.

I am however pretty sure my fuel pump is going out, but I ordered a new one today, when that comes in it'll rule out one more option.

I do have a 1222 CEL light that comes and goes, it's been coming on recently whenever my fuel pump starts suffering.

I'll check out the O2 sensor if it's easy to pull