What is this pipe.

[VIe30]

So I just snagged another e30 89' 325i and went to fuel up and on my way home the car immediately started to smell like fuel was flowing inside with me. Strong fumes. Got home and pulled out the rear seat and found this pipe (pic attached) was completely corroded. My 84' 325e doesn't have it unless it was replaced but this one does. It seems like a vent for the tank but its steel. Anyone know what it is and how to replace or repair. I was thinking about cutting it out and running a rubber fuel hose.

Any suggestions would help.

Thanks



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[rmdashrf]

its a conduit for the fuel vent/expansion tank lines.

[101]

That pipe contains the three hoses for the fuel tank vapor system. They run from the top of the fuel tank through that pipe and behind the right rear shock absorber and up to the filler neck and fuel expansion tank.

I had to remove the hoses and cut the rusted section out. I used a piece of plastic swimming pool hose that I got from Lowe's as the replacement.

Most likely, that protection plate that covers the hoses as they go around the shock absorber is rusted as well. I also found that the larger of the three hoses (the cloth braided one) was deteriorated and leaking on two of my cars.

Clean everything up, replace the braided hose and short lengths of rubber hose as necessary (use fuel rated hose), grind away the rust and treat the metal, and your fuel smell should go away.

[VIe30]

Thanks I'll take a look and try that. The metal pipe is completely toast. Barely even a pipe anymore. Rotted straight through the resr seat. When it goes through the rear backrest wall does it exit directly to the wheel well or does it run through the trunk. I didn't pull out the carpet to check as yet.

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[rmdashrf]

it runs through the trunk around the base of the rear shock tower.

[TobyB]

And what's probably stinking are the vapor lines that run through it-
in particular, there's a steel 'Y' near the filler that rusts through if you look at it...

t

[VIe30]

And what's probably stinking are the vapor lines that run through it-
in particular, there's a steel 'Y' near the filler that rusts through if you look at it...

t

Thanks ill check it out also

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[barbierij]

it took me a long time to find it "again" but here is the Y pipe that ruts and leaks.

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/34222/Distribution-Piece-Fuel-Tank-16131178752/

as seen here:



found my original post

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=4396728&postcount=8

[cory58]

it took me a long time to find it "again" but here is the Y pipe that ruts and leaks.

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/34222/Distribution-Piece-Fuel-Tank-16131178752/

Sweet! I thought this part was NLA from BMW. Have you ordered it recently?

Cory

[cory58]

it runs through the trunk around the base of the rear shock tower.

On my Touring, the vent tubes come out into the wheel well (not through the trunk) and then run behind the protective plate that routes them behind the shock. I thought the configuration was the same on all body styles, but could be wrong.

Cory

[cory58]

I had to remove the hoses and cut the rusted section out. I used a piece of plastic swimming pool hose that I got from Lowe's as the replacement.

The pipe on my Touring is rusted the same way. How did you seal the opening in the wheel well?

Cory

[barbierij]

Cory, I bought it about three years ago


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[cory58]

Cory, I bought it about three years ago

Thanks. I'll give it a try and post results.

[VIe30]

So I plan to do the pipe this Saturday. Does anyone know the size fuel hoses and length o need because I hate getting into the middle of a repair and having to run to store. Thanks

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[VIe30]

All fixed. That conduit pipe is toast. Have to order the guard plate for the wheel well area. Found out after fixing the threaded hose in the pipe, it ended up being the main fill jose was cracked. Previous owner didnt put the plate back over the fuel level sender section so the smell was coming back into the car. All good now. Thanks for the help.

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