First BMW...fuel leak.....please help!

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  • Intense
    Wrencher
    • Mar 2006
    • 292
    #1

    First BMW...fuel leak.....please help!

    Hey all,
    I stumbled across an iX locally and couldn't pass up what I thought was a pretty good deal. Turns out, it's not quite the bargain I was hoping for. Nevertheless, it's an iX and I'm happy to finally have one. After years and years of wanting....and owning other AWD cars (Celica All Trac and WRX wagon)

    Anyways, I filled up the tank for the first time since I bought it today and starting noticing a raw fuel smell shortly thereafter. Got home and took a peek under the car, I could definitely see gas dripping from under the car. I'm not sure if it's the gas tank or fuel filler neck that's leaking; but I want to get this taken care of ASAP. The fuel was dripping from the drivers side of the car, which seems to indicate it's not the fuel filler. It's dripping from right around the B-pillar area, next to the drive shaft....if that make any sense. It looks to be the area under the rear seats, which is where I would expect the gas tank to be.

    Assuming it is the tank, how hard is it to replace? I spent most of my $$$ on the car and was planning on using the rest of it on some small repairs. Where can I get a tank and how much should I expect to spend? Lastly, I did a search on here, but I wasn't able to find any write-ups on how to replace the tank. The only suggestion I found was I would have to remove the drive shaft. Will a tank replacement be impossible for a guy who's capable of doing suspension and brake work pretty easily? How long will this take? The X is my daily driver, so I'd like to accomplish this in a weekend, if possible.

    Anyone in the Carolinas area interested in giving me a hand?

    thanks
    mike

    PS: Here are some pics of my new ride....






    _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
    Past: lots of stuff
    Present: e46 m3
    2010 F150 Lariat
    1990 E30 Touring
    1/4 e34 LeMons car

    2004 Malibu 23 LSV
    2000 Odessey Millenia 210
    Tags: None
    • browntown
      No R3VLimiter
      • Jun 2004
      • 3524
      #2
      not sure about bmw's but many cars rust under the bands that hold the gastank to the frame. This causes leaks. I had a ford escort (years ago) that I bought and one day later found this very problem.

        Comment

        • mr.happy
          Advanced Member
          • Oct 2005
          • 113
          #3
          on regular e30's thats where the fuel filter is.check the hoses going in & out of it.

            Comment

            • T.Dot E30
              E30 Addict
              • Mar 2004
              • 536
              #4
              Also if its only when its full, it could be the gasket leaking at the top of the tank where the fuel pump goes.

              Hopefully its not the tank, they are expensive and hard to change, unless do it urself expect to pay $$$ for labour.

                Comment

                • Intense
                  Wrencher
                  • Mar 2006
                  • 292
                  #5
                  Originally posted by mr.happy
                  on regular e30's thats where the fuel filter is.check the hoses going in & out of it.
                  fuel filter....that would be a god send if it were the fuel filter.....

                  but that doesn't explain why it only leaks when the tank is full.....
                  _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
                  Past: lots of stuff
                  Present: e46 m3
                  2010 F150 Lariat
                  1990 E30 Touring
                  1/4 e34 LeMons car

                  2004 Malibu 23 LSV
                  2000 Odessey Millenia 210

                    Comment

                    • Intense
                      Wrencher
                      • Mar 2006
                      • 292
                      #6
                      Originally posted by T.Dot E30
                      Also if its only when its full, it could be the gasket leaking at the top of the tank where the fuel pump goes.

                      Hopefully its not the tank, they are expensive and hard to change, unless do it urself expect to pay $$$ for labour.
                      How can I access the fuel pump??...I'm assuming it's under the rear seat....but I haven't been able to figure out how to get the seat out....

                      Maybe it's time I invested in a Bentley's....
                      _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
                      Past: lots of stuff
                      Present: e46 m3
                      2010 F150 Lariat
                      1990 E30 Touring
                      1/4 e34 LeMons car

                      2004 Malibu 23 LSV
                      2000 Odessey Millenia 210

                        Comment

                        • ///M42 sport
                          No R3VLimiter
                          • Oct 2003
                          • 3952
                          #7
                          IF the fuel filter hoses are bad, it would leak in front of the rear drivers tire. You said the leak was right next to the driving shaft. Thats pretty unusual. The fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank so I don't think its the fuel pump.
                          Renting my rear wheel bearing tool kit. SIR
                          http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c5...ps6debf0b0.jpg

                          Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

                            Comment

                            • Intense
                              Wrencher
                              • Mar 2006
                              • 292
                              #8
                              Originally posted by ///M42 sport
                              IF the fuel filter hoses are bad, it would leak in front of the rear drivers tire. You said the leak was right next to the driving shaft. Thats pretty unusual. The fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank so I don't think its the fuel pump.
                              I should have specified....that's where it was dripping from. I haven't have a chance to get under the car and determine the exact source of the leak.

                              Question: if the gasket around the fule pump is bad....wouldn't the smell inside the car be pretty strong. Right now, the gas smell is stronger outside the car.

                              Also, of all the things mentioned. What are the percentages it's the tank vs. the pump vs. the filter vs. etc?
                              _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
                              Past: lots of stuff
                              Present: e46 m3
                              2010 F150 Lariat
                              1990 E30 Touring
                              1/4 e34 LeMons car

                              2004 Malibu 23 LSV
                              2000 Odessey Millenia 210

                                Comment

                                • PeaveyBassist
                                  No R3VLimiter
                                  • Sep 2004
                                  • 3511
                                  #9
                                  If it only does it when its full, the seam might be breaking on the driver's side. Dropping the tank isnt really that bad. Drop the exhaust and driveshaft. Then undo the filler hose and unplug everything from inside. Undo all the hoses you can get to under the back seat and unplug the pump and all that stuff. The bolts that hold the tank are around the top of it. Not sure exactly how many there are, but they go around the top of the tank. Make sure the tank is as EMPTY as possible because it will weigh a lot. Be ready to get rust dropped in your face as well. Check the fuel filter hoses and stuff first though and make SURE its the tank before you change it. Thats a lot of work to change if it isnt whats leaking.

                                  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.

                                    Comment

                                    • Intense
                                      Wrencher
                                      • Mar 2006
                                      • 292
                                      #10
                                      Originally posted by PeaveyBassist
                                      If it only does it when its full, the seam might be breaking on the driver's side. Dropping the tank isnt really that bad. Drop the exhaust and driveshaft. Then undo the filler hose and unplug everything from inside. Undo all the hoses you can get to under the back seat and unplug the pump and all that stuff. The bolts that hold the tank are around the top of it. Not sure exactly how many there are, but they go around the top of the tank. Make sure the tank is as EMPTY as possible because it will weigh a lot. Be ready to get rust dropped in your face as well. Check the fuel filter hoses and stuff first though and make SURE its the tank before you change it. Thats a lot of work to change if it isnt whats leaking.

                                      Will
                                      So, the bolts that hold the tank in are accessible from inside the car under the rear seat??
                                      _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
                                      Past: lots of stuff
                                      Present: e46 m3
                                      2010 F150 Lariat
                                      1990 E30 Touring
                                      1/4 e34 LeMons car

                                      2004 Malibu 23 LSV
                                      2000 Odessey Millenia 210

                                        Comment

                                        • T.Dot E30
                                          E30 Addict
                                          • Mar 2004
                                          • 536
                                          #11
                                          Originally posted by Intense
                                          So, the bolts that hold the tank in are accessible from inside the car under the rear seat??
                                          Nope, under the car, towards the top of the tank, actually more of the half way point there is a seam where it joins that the tanks bolts to the chassis


                                          The rear seat lower part is the easiest thing in the world to remove, no tools required.

                                          From the front, push it in slightly towards the back and pull up, it pops right off.

                                            Comment

                                            • PeaveyBassist
                                              No R3VLimiter
                                              • Sep 2004
                                              • 3511
                                              #12
                                              Originally posted by T.Dot E30
                                              Nope, under the car, towards the top of the tank, actually more of the half way point there is a seam where it joins that the tanks bolts to the chassis


                                              The rear seat lower part is the easiest thing in the world to remove, no tools required.

                                              From the front, push it in slightly towards the back and pull up, it pops right off.
                                              What he said :) The bolts that hold the tank in are only accessible from under the car. I changed one at work with the boss with a lift and what not. You can probably get it done in one weekend if not just on Saturday.

                                              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.

                                                Comment

                                                • ///M42 sport
                                                  No R3VLimiter
                                                  • Oct 2003
                                                  • 3952
                                                  #13
                                                  its most likely the fuel filter hoses. IN which case its a 10 minute job. Have a fire extenguisher handy.
                                                  Renting my rear wheel bearing tool kit. SIR
                                                  http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c5...ps6debf0b0.jpg

                                                  Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

                                                    Comment

                                                    • Intense
                                                      Wrencher
                                                      • Mar 2006
                                                      • 292
                                                      #14
                                                      Originally posted by ///M42 sport
                                                      its most likely the fuel filter hoses. IN which case its a 10 minute job. Have a fire extenguisher handy.
                                                      lol.....I've done a fuel filter swap on my buddies e46....wasn't too bad. No fire extinguishers required though..lol

                                                      I know it's not the same car, but the drips are definitely 'down wind' of where the fuel filter is located on my buddies e46.

                                                      That still doesn't explain why this problem didn't appear until after I filled that tank up. FWIW, when I bought the car it already had a half tank. Which is why I didn't notice this until I filled the tank...I guess :borg:
                                                      _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
                                                      Past: lots of stuff
                                                      Present: e46 m3
                                                      2010 F150 Lariat
                                                      1990 E30 Touring
                                                      1/4 e34 LeMons car

                                                      2004 Malibu 23 LSV
                                                      2000 Odessey Millenia 210

                                                        Comment

                                                        • redbull 325is
                                                          R3V OG
                                                          • Feb 2004
                                                          • 7471
                                                          #15
                                                          stop bench fixing.. get under the car and look where the leak is 95% chance its just a cracked rubber fuel line



                                                          Julien
                                                          Build Threads:
                                                          Pamela/Bella/Betty/325ix/5-Lug Seta/S60R/Miata ITB/Miata Turbo/Miata VVT/951/325xi-6

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