Gas Tank Question

[stormspike]

I have a 89 325i and it seems that the fuel tank is not equalizing fuel across the saddle hump. I noticed that the gage is going down faster and it now fills up on 6 gal gas. I opened both hatches and it seems that one side of the tank is a lot fuller than the other side. How does the late E30 equalize the tank? HAs anyone else had this issue? I don't see any transfer pumps, etc on the late diagram of the tank.

Thanks!

[Restoman]

There should be a hard pipe connecting the two on the bottom.

[Jean]

There should be a hard pipe connecting the two on the bottom.

I've seen the pipe you talk about on another car, but my 89 does not have it, nor does my 84 318i.

http://www.briangt.com/gallery/album...3/CIMG2856.jpg

[stormspike]

Yea, its confusing

I thought the gage was wrong and was an issue with the sender util it studdered the other day (was on empty-but I knew it had 6-7 gal in tank). I filled up with 6 gal and it ran great. I then waited until it got near 1/4 again and opened up the access panels on top. The driver side was full and the passenger side with pump was a lot less full. I am hopeing someone can tell me how this tank equalizes the fuel :)

Thanks,

[Mike]

Damn, I just threw out my 89's old tank, due to rust. The replacement is in now. There are lines all over the top of it going to all sorts of crap, including the expansion tank stuff in the RR wheel arch (by the filler neck). I say drop the tank out of the car and have a peak, but drain it first. Its not too hard.

[lordofthewaters]

I thought the saddle tanks were supposed to have the distribution/equalizer line between them for this purpose. Bu if yours doesn't have one I dunno............

[stormspike]

It was working fine and then it started acting up. I'll see if I can get it dropped this weekend and look at it. Has anyone had the transfer line clog or something before?

[Jean]

Let me know how it goes, I am dropping my tank as well next week.

[CorvallisBMW]

I've seen the pipe you talk about on another car, but my 89 does not have it, nor does my 84 318i.

http://www.briangt.com/gallery/album...3/CIMG2856.jpg

Ah-ha! so mine isn't the only one without that line! I figured it was only because it was a convertible, but apparently severl body styles dont have it. So.....How do they transfer the fuel across the hump then?

[Jean]

No clue, it will probably be clear once the tank is out of the car...

[stormspike]

Let me know when you get your tank pulled. You may beat me to it :)