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Where is this fuel coming from?

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    #1

    Where is this fuel coming from?

    I've got a strange fuel leak I can't seem to track down. It's basically dripping off the front edge of the gas tank, only while the system is running (pressurized). The car is an '87 Cabrio, so it has the in-tank transfer pump as well as the external pump. Judging by the location, I figured it was the line that goes between those 2 pumps, however I pulled it out and it looks pristine, and is not wet.

    Anybody had a leak like this before?
    "I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm."
    -Franklin D. Roosevelt
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    #2
    did you pull the covers from under the seat? It might be a loose fuel line on the pump
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      #3
      :stupid: Either a loose clamp or you have a break in one of the rubber lines. Check in any bends, and around the clamps for holes or wear through from rubbing.

      Sarcasm is a body's natural defense against stupid.
      When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's £3.95 per minute.
      "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch." Jack Nicholson"
      Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

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        #4
        Also check the seals on the fuel pump and the sending unit.
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          #5
          All the connections around the external pump and filter are all dry and secure. Same for the connections at the sending unit. Whatever it is, it can't really be seen, except seeing it drip off the front edge of the tank closer to the driver's side. I don't suspect the tank itself is leaking since it is currently on empty and only leaks while running the pumps. Does anyone know where the return line runs? Does it cross the top of the tank?
          "I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm."
          -Franklin D. Roosevelt

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            #6
            Does anybody have any schematics they could post of what the ealier tanks look like outside of the car? Or any fuel line routing schematics? The ones I see in my manual and those on real oem don't look accurate to me or show me the detail I need to diagnose this thing.
            "I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm."
            -Franklin D. Roosevelt

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              #7
              It be possible that you have a small hole in one of the rubber fuel lines, spraying fuel at the front of your tank. I had that problem, took a little bit of looking around to find the leak.

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                #8
                Could also be the gas tank itself.

                Will
                RIP e30 (brilliantrot '91 325i) 11/17/06 Byebye: 8/21/07
                Welcome e30 (brilliantrot '90 325is) 12/23/06
                DaveCN = Old Man
                My signature picture was taken by ME! Not by anyone else!



                Originally posted by george graves
                If people keep quoting me in their sig, I'm going to burn this motherfucker down.

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by PeaveyBassist
                  Could also be the gas tank itself.

                  Will
                  but only when the system is pressurized?

                  Unlimited Slip Diff's FTW!
                  1972 240z Drift,Scca BSP, Scca ITS Car.

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                    #10
                    No, the gask tank is basically a top and bottom piece put together so it has a seam that runs horizontally all the way around it. Over time the gas tank starts to rust and that seam starts to leak gasoline. Could be when it sloshes around or when its full or something. Does it ever leave a tiny puddle after sitting for a while?

                    Will
                    RIP e30 (brilliantrot '91 325i) 11/17/06 Byebye: 8/21/07
                    Welcome e30 (brilliantrot '90 325is) 12/23/06
                    DaveCN = Old Man
                    My signature picture was taken by ME! Not by anyone else!



                    Originally posted by george graves
                    If people keep quoting me in their sig, I'm going to burn this motherfucker down.

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                      #11
                      I had a hard return line leak that had those symptoms. I just soldered the line. it was the one "built into" the tank, running across the top of it. water seems to want to just sit on top of that area.

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