Unofficialbmw.com

[luv_my_318]

okay, so my gas tank is full of this stuff thats grimy and rusty colored. how do i take off the tank? no wonder both of my fuel pumps blew out, they were stuffed with this hard grime from the tank. so i sucked out half the gas now i want to take off this tank and clean it. what do i clean it with? also the secondary tank is full of water so i have to take that out also. how?
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1985 318i

[Smithy]

I have replaced my fuel tank as my old one had started to leak.

To put it bluntly, its a nightmare of a job.
You will need to remove the rear exhaust pipe, heat shields, and the prop shaft. Then unbolt the tank.
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[idanity]

i never heard of anyone (other than smithy) replacing it (Daleremoved one and installed a racing fuel cell-nice).

but would you want to chance in cleaning it, or just replace it w/a warrantied one ?

if it IS rust, it will only get worse.
w/a new tank, you can rest easy
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..........

[bluefury]

I had to drop a gas tank and replace it too, not fun. Drop the catback (buy new gaskets), empty the tank, remove heatshields, drop driveshaft (replace guibo or get the driveshaft rebuilt if its vibrating, might as well), remove filler neck hose and other fuel line hoses, then support the tank on a jack while you loosen the bolts taht hold it up (6 or 8 I think, wear googles lots of dust and dirt). I paid about a $100 or so for a good used tank from Zionsville Auto.
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Eric
04 GTO
02 Impala LS Sport
91 750iL
86 325e -- SOLD
85 325e M50 and auto to manual transmission conversion... it's alive and DAMN is it quick!! Coming soon.. Euro Bumpers!

[85-325e]

I did my gas tank. I sloshed it with aircraft stuff, but in retrospect, I wish I had just replaced it. At that time, about 2 years ago, the replacement tank with shipping was about $140 total. Now it's doubled.

For what it's worth... the While I Was In There turned out to be:

New stainless steel brake lines
new sub-frame bushings
new trailing arm bushings
new rear shock mounts
new used replacement springs and spring pads,both upper and lower
several differentials
new rubber filler thingy
new gas lines
new sway bar links and sway bar bushings...
and a few other parts I just can't remember!
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Cosmo - 1985 BMW 325e, Single Owner, 265,000+ ORIGINAL miles and still going strong! But now on the East Coast and the salt air corrosion is eating my beautiful car alive...

[Whitdog]

Replaced my tank a few months ago. Pain in the butt since you have to drop the driveshaft and exhaust. I found a new tank on eBay for $199. It is about $350 at Bavauto. I have not had any problems with it. Of course, I cannot remember the name of the place. I recommend that you get a friend to help (tank is light, but bulky), safety glasses and new gas line from the tank to the external pump since you cannot reach the top of the tank once it is installed. (I have an 84 325e) If it is your first time, plan on four hours to get it done. Be careful taking out the sending unit and internal pump. You have to take them apart before they will come out of your old tank. There are three or four small bolts on top to the tank that hold the unit. Undo those and pull the sending unit straight up and it will come out.

Also, be careful with the S tube in the bottom of the tank that connects both halfs. I twisted mine getting if of the old tank and had to get one of a pull-a-part car.

Good Luck

Whitdog

84 325e
76 Fiat 124
02 F150 4x4
04 Accord
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Indiana Hoosier who likes European rides

[bluefury]

Oh yeah, use new orings for the sender and pump too.
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Eric
04 GTO
02 Impala LS Sport
91 750iL
86 325e -- SOLD
85 325e M50 and auto to manual transmission conversion... it's alive and DAMN is it quick!! Coming soon.. Euro Bumpers!