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160-8
I Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump
4 Disconnect harness connector from tank sending unit by
sliding connection lock to release connector.
Connect voltmeter between fuel pump terminals on
connector.
NOTE-
Fuel pump power (+) is supplied through the white/blue wire
Ground
(-) is supplied by the brown wire.
With jumper wire connected in place of fuel pump relay as
described above, check for battery voltage at fuel pump
harness connector terminals.
If voltage and ground are present, fuel pump is probably
faulty. If there is no voltage, check wiring between fuel pump
and relay.
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.- -
Fuel Tank and Fuel purnpl
Fuel pump power consumption, testing
To achieve accurate test results, the battery voltage at the
fuel pump connector should be
12.6 volts. Charge the battery
as necessary.
A higher than normal power consumption may indicate a
worn fuel pump, which may cause intermittent fuel starvation
due to pump overheating and seizure. The only remedy is
pump replacement.
A lower than normal power consumption
may indicate a blockage. Be sure to check that the return line
and the pump pickup are not obstructed before replacing the
pump.
- Expose right side access cover:
Peel forward lip of carpet.
Release rubber grommet from center of access cover insu-
lation.
Peel back insulation at perforations to expose fuel tank ac-
cess cover.
Remove right side cover to expose electrical harness con-
nector.
Disconnect harness connector from tank sending unit by slid-
ing lock back. Lift off connector.
Test fuel pump for current draw by attaching digital ammeter
between pump and harness (terminal
2, whitelblue wire) and
connect a jumper wire between pump and harness (terminal
1, brown wire) as shown.
CAUTION-
Do not allow the test leads to short to ground.
NOTE-
See 600 Electrical Systern-General for information on elec-
trical tests
using a digital multirneter.
Run pump as described in Operating fuel pump for tests.
- Compare ammeter reading with specification listed in ac-
companying table.
Fuel
pump current
Current consumption (average) 9.5 amps
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.-
I Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump
- Expose right side access cover:
Peel forward lip of carpet.
Release rubber grommet from center of access cover insu-
lation.
Peel back insulation at
perforations to expose fuel tank ac-
cess cover.
Remove right side cover to expose electrical harness con-
nector.
WARNING -
Fuel may be spilled. Do not smolce or work near heaters or
other fire hazards.
When disconnecting fuel hose, wrap shop rag around
end of hose to prevent spray of fuel under pressure.
Remove
tank sending unit:
Release electrical harness by sliding lock back, then lifting
off connector.
a Disconnect hose (arrow).
Unscrew threaded collar from fuel
pumpifuel level sender.
NOTE-
BMW special spanner 16 1 020 should be used to remove
and install the threaded collar. Damage to the collar may re-
sult if the special tool is not used.
Slowly withdraw assembly from tank, allowing fuel to drain
off. If necessary, push level sender arm toward sending
unit to facilitate removal.
CAUTION-
Do not bend fuel level sender arm.
To remove fuel pump, press locking tabs (arrows) towards
pump body.
Lifl out pump, using care not to damage hoses.
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.- .
Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump
- To reinstall:
Use new sealing ring at tank collar.
* Align tab of sending unit with matching recess in opening
of tank.
Be sure that fuel line connections point in same direction
as they came out.
Reconnect harness connector and hose.
Fill tank and check for leaks by running engine.
Install access cover and its mounting fasteners.
CAUTIOI\C
After finishing repairs but before starting engine, be sure
there is at least
5 liters (1.5 gallons) of fuel in the tank. The
NOTE-
It is common practice to replace the fuel filter when the fuel
pump
unit is replaced. See 020 Maintenance.
Tightening torque
Tank collar locking ring to tank 35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
Fuel level sender (left side),
removing and installing
The procedure for removing and replacing the left side fuel
level sender is
simllar to that used for the r~ght side. There is
no fuel pump on the left side.
- Remove rear seat lower cushion by lifting off catches at front.
- Expose left side access cover:
- Peel forward lip of carpet.
Release rubber grommet from center of access cover
insulation.
Peel back insulation at
perforations to expose fuel tank
access cover.
Remove cover to expose electrical harness connector.
WARNING-
Fuel may be spilled. Do not smoke or work near heaters or
other fire hazards.
When disconnecting fuel hose, wrap shop rag around
end of hose to prevent spray of fuel under pressure.
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/ ~uel Tank and Fuel Pump
4 Remove tank sending unit:
Disconnect electrical harness connector.
Disconnect hose (arrow).
- Unscrew threaded collar from fuel level sender.
NOTE-
BMW special spanner 16 1 020 should be used to remove
and install the threaded collar. Damage to the collar may
result if the special tool is not used.
Slowly withdraw assembly from tank, allowing fuel to drain
off. If necessary, push level sender arm toward sending
unit to facilitate removal.
CA UTIOW-
Do not bend fuel level sender arm.
4 Once level sensor unit has been lifted partially out of tank,
disconnect tank siphon hose by pressing tabs (arrows).
- Installation is reverse of removal
Attach tank siphon hose to sender unit firmly.
Use new sealing ring at tank collar.
. Be sure that fuel sender float points in same direction as
during removal.
- Reconnect harness connector.
Fill tank and
check for leaks by running engine.
CAUTION-
After finishing repairs but before starting engine, be sure
there is at least
5 liters (1.5gallons) of fuel in tan/(. The fuel
pump will be damaged if run without fuel.
Tightening
torque
Tank collar loclting rlng to tanlt 35 Nm (26 lb-ft) -
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7 .- A Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump
Siphon pump, removing and installing
The fuel compensating siphon pump equalizes fuel level
between the two fuel tank lobes.
- Drain fuel tank as described later,
WARNING -
Fuel may be spilled. Do not smoke or work near heaters or
other fire hazards.
- Remove left and right fuel level sensors and fuel pump as
described earlier.
4 Once left side level sensor unit has been lifted partially out
of tank, disconnect tank siphon hose by pressing tabs
(arrows).
- The tank lobe siphon pump is held to baffle in bottom of right
tank lobe. Release retainer and lift out pump.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Attach siphon pump to right side baffle.
Attach tank siphon hose to left sender unit firmly.
Use new sealing ring at tank collars
Be sure that fuel sender floats point in same direction as
during removal.
Reconnect harness connectors.
. Before starting engine, fill fuel tank with at least 5 liters
(1.5 gallons) of fuel.
Check for
leaks by running engine.
Afler finishing repairs but before starting engine, be sure
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--
I Fuel Tank and Fuel Pump
The plastic fuel tank is mounted underneath the center of the
car (underneath the rear seat). Mounted in the fuel tank are
the fuel pump and fuel level sending units. Connecting lines
for the evaporative emission control system and expansion
tank are also attached to the tank.
Fuel
tank capacity for E39 models
Tank capacity
70 liters (18.5 gal)
Reserve capacity
8 liters (2.1 gal)
Fuel tank, draining
Drain fuel tank into a safe storage unit using an approved fuel
pumping device.
WARNING-
# Before removing tank, be sure that all hot components,
such as the exhaust system, are completely cooled down.
Fuel may be spilled. Do not smoke or
work near heat-
ers or other fire hazards.
- Start engine and allow to run 10 - 15 seconds to fill fuel com-
pensating siphon assembly. This will allow both lobes of fuel
tank to he drawn off through fuel filler pipe,
- Disconnect negative cable from battery.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the batteg read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 General Warnings and Cau-
tions.
- Remove fuel tank filler cap
- Slide suction hose into filler neck about 130 cm (51 in.), twist-
ing as necessary. Withdraw fuel into storage unit.
- Monitor fuel level reduction in both lobes:
- Remove rear seat cushion and access both fuel tank send-
er harness connectors.
Use multimeter to measure resistance at both senders,
Resistance should drop as fuel level drops.
- If siphoning mechanism is faulty, drain left tank lobe sepa-
rately by removing sender cover and pumping fuel directly
out of left lobe.
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Fuel Tank and Fuel pump/
- Remove suction hose from tank filler neck carefully to avoid
damaging filler neck baffle plate.
CAUTION-
After finishing repairs but before starling engine, be sure
there is at least
5 liters (1.5 gallons) of fuel in tanlc. The fuel
pump will be damaged if run without fuel.
Fuel tank, removing and installing
- Remove fuel tank filler cap and drain tank as described
earlier.
- Disconnect negative cable from battery.
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battea read the battery discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Cautions and
Warnings.
- Remove rear seat bottom cushion. Peel forward lip of carpet
from beneath seat cushion and carefully peel back insulation
to expose fuel tank access cover on left and right sides. Re-
move covers.
Disconnect right side supply hose and
electr~cal harness
connector (arrows).
D~sconnect left side return hose and electrical harness
connector.
Working inside car, disconnect parking
bralte cable ends
from parking brake lever. See
340 Brakes.
Lift car and support safely.
Make sure the car is stable and
we/ supported at all times.
Use a professional automotive lift
orjack stands designed for
the purpose. A floorjaclc is not adequate support.
- Remove complete exhaust system and heat shield. See 180
Exhaust System.
- Remove drive shaft. See 260 Driveshaft