Transfer Pump

[e30Troop]

Hey everyone,

I am new to the forum but have been trying to research this fuel transfer pump for some time. It appears I have a plastic housing transfer pump in my car now, although all my research has led to a very different style pump being in there. I just picked up the car in a non-running condition. I have spark/crank, no fuel from the transfer pump. I am going to post some pics shortly. Also the connector is a 3 pin blade style connector with power and grounds good.

[jalopi]

year/engine?

[e30Troop]

1986 euro 318, S50 swapped. It ran but the fuel pump was SCREAMING, car sat for a week and hasn't been able to start since. I have pics of the pump removed but can't figure out how to upload them

[e30Troop]

Here are the pics

[jlevie]

I have never seen an OE pump that did not have a metal flange. I have to wonder if that is some aftermarket part.

[e30Troop]

Exactly, this is why I'm so confused on the bit. Regardless, I do not want to spend $200 on a transfer pump and $200 on the in-line pump; any suggestions on how to resolve this and not starve the S50?

[e30Troop]

nothing?!

[jlevie]

One possibility would be to replace the transfer and high pressure pump with an in-tank high pressure pump for a late 318is. But you will need to come up with adapters for the delivery line from the pump as the transfer pump has a 10mm? hose and the 318is pump has an 8mm line.

There is nothing wrong with the two pump system, but the high pressure pump will complain if the transfer pump is bad and the fuel level falls below 3/4 tank. A bigger problem, which will kill any high pressure pump in short order is a rusty tank. On car's of this age that is a common problem and requires that the tank be replaced or removed and acid cleaned. Look in the tank with a penlight while stirring the bottom of the tank with a stick.

[FLG]

You can grab a replacement transfer pump from rock auto for 80$ or so, you can also modify a chevy vega pump to work. But without the OE sender the later option isnt viable.

[e30Troop]

Thanks for the input. I am very confused now, that part I removed from the tank thinking it may have been a transfer pump is a VDO level sensor. The main pump is in fact under the vehicle. I'm very confused. Check the pics. When I have the Key on engine off, I should hear a hum from the fuel pump priming the fuel system, correct?

[jlevie]

First of all the car has two fuel pumps. An in-tank transfer pump and an external high pressure pump located under the car just forward of the left rear wheel. The pumps are controlled by the DME and only run when the DME sees timing data from a rotating engine. They do not run with just the ignition on.

[e30Troop]

First of all the car has two fuel pumps. An in-tank transfer pump and an external high pressure pump located under the car just forward of the left rear wheel. The pumps are controlled by the DME and only run when the DME sees timing data from a rotating engine. They do not run with just the ignition on.

Right, I understand, but what I removed from the tank was not a pump, it was just a sending unit. I opened it up as seen in the pics and that is what it was. I removed the pump in front of the left rear wheel and applied power, the pump comes on when I manually jumped the terminals. Only thing I did was replace the torn rubber intake boot, then when I tried to start the car it did not start. I did not unplug anything to replace the boot.

[jlevie]

A little research with realoem.com shows two variants for early Euro 318's. One configuration has just a fuel level sensor in the tank and the the other has a transfer pump & sensor in the tank. See http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...43&hg=16&fg=05

[e30Troop]

A little research with realoem.com shows two variants for early Euro 318's. One configuration has just a fuel level sensor in the tank and the the other has a transfer pump & sensor in the tank. See http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...43&hg=16&fg=05

That's an awesome find, very helpful. Thank you.

[Wanganstyle]

If the pump works then turn it on and measure the psi at the fuel rail.

Obtain a service manual for and test the pump If it flows enough for your engine

If the car has been engine swapped by a potential r3vtard (previous owner) then it's quite possible the pump is just old/tired.

R3vtards skimp on critical things like rubber intake boots and new fuel pumps (for an engine making 2x the power this would be common sense)

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