I know that there is not much in the way of divergence between two and four door E30's, but does there happen to be a difference with respect to fuel tank capacities between them? I did read the thread in the FAQ concerning Fuel Tank differences, which elaborated on the difference between pre and post 87 model year cars. My car is a 1990 325i sedan, now on fill up, it only accepts somewhere in the neighborhood of 12.5 gallons. Shouldn't my tank capacity be closer to 16 gallons?
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Is the tank dented? Yes you should have a 63L or 16.3 gallons -
16.6 gallons actually, but yes if it's only taking 12 gallons, something's up. Wasn't a drug car or something? Check for dents definately.
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its probly because your tank isnt as empty as you think it isYour signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.
Originally posted by TimKninjaComment
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Could not attest for the dents or the drugs, I just picked this car up in October of 06. Even though the car was qualified as not being in an accident by carfax I already know differently, there is a little bit of bondo in the rear which would indicate a rear collision. I would assume that either the dent presumption is true or an incorrect fuel tank was installed in replacement. Trust me, I know that that the current tank only holds 12+ gallons and that the fuel gauge is reading accurately (I ran out of gas a few weeks ago). I just wanted to confirm that my tank capacity should be 16 gallons for a sedan. Thanks.Comment
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My 4door ETA only holds 12 gallons..weird
I'm averaging 130-150 miles per tank now... it used to be 250-300 a few months ago
there is a dent in the tank I think, but that can't account for 4 gallons can it??Comment
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^also curious about that as well. Wondering to what extent a dent would affect tank capacity. Hard to imagine a dent contributing to an absence of 4 gallons of tank presence.Comment
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it it was in a wreck the wrong tank may have been replace with the wrong tank. Although I dont know if they are interchangeableThe American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money. -Alexis de TocquevilleOriginally posted by Fusion
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Still the older tanks were 14.3 gallons. Still two gallons missing somewhere......
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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Just to clear up facts, since people seem to be questioning facts:
e30's produced up to and including 09/1987 (and ALL M3's) use a 55 liter tank. e30's produced after 9/1987 use a 63 liter tank. There are no exceptions based on 2 or 4 door, etc.
15 Liters = 14.52 Gallons
16.3 Liters = 16.632 Gallons
Now, if you emptied your tank, and filled it up with 12.5 gallons, there is something wrong with physics. The tank holds 16.632 gallons. 12.5 will not fill it when it is empty.
A few things to check:
Maybe it was not empty because your pump was not in a position to get all of the fuel out.
Pipe connecting the 2 sides is clogged.
Faulty pump.
Something inside the tank taking up volume.
Maybe you did not have it filled as much you thought you did (faulty gas station reading, car not level, etc...).
Your tank is dented. Bad.
Or, as the only other possibility, you have a tank from another BMW, an after market (incorrectly sized) tank, or one from another car all together, in your car.
You will not be able to know until you drain the tank from both the crossover pipe and the drain plug, check for objects in the tank, and refill on level surface using a known accurate source.Comment
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^That pretty much answers everything and more. Thank you sir.Comment
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If you press the "1000" and "1" on the obc at the same time the obc will display the amount of fuel remaining in the tank in liters. 12.5 gallons is about 47 liters.
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My situation does not include a 13 button OBC, so I guess I will not be able to utilize that trick.Originally posted by iCleaks View Post
A follow up question to JGood's post: If there were an issue with either the fuel pump or a clog in any of the lines wouldn't there be a noticeable change in engine performance and or efficiency?Comment
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don't forget that approxmately 2 gallons of your tank is for the "reserve", the "normal" fill up of the 63 liter tank is about 14.5 gallons.
supposedly to fill up the reserve you have to top off the tank several times, but I'm not really sure on that part. I normally just fill it until the pump shuts off by itself, to 14.5 gallons (I always run my cars to the light) and leave it at that.Comment
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Also did not know that. Mental note made. Thanks Nando.Originally posted by nando View PostComment
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