Fuel evap vent hose problem

[nate9]

Hi Everyone

I have a fuel system issue. I started to smell fuel near the filler neck and went in with my mechanic to explore it. The filler neck is fine but the there are fuel hoses that connect to the engine which goes through the inside of the car are rusted and broken off. Does any of you knows what kind of fuel hose that I need? what brand and size would I need? I want to take off the carpet and seat before I bring it back to my mechanic so that I can save time and money, he can then just help me connect the line. do you guys know a good instruction web on that?

Any suggestions would help,

Thanks in advance

Nathan

[Deetow]

I've never done this type of work before but i've found that realoem.com is an invaluable resource for figuring out the best way to tackle a project. Also you can cross reference the part numbers with bimmerspecialist.com to get accurate prices for parts.

[nate9]

Thanks

[bart325is]

I just replaced all of these hoses on my 87 325. Look up the diagram on realoem as suggested. There are 3 hoses that travel from the overflow tank/filler neck, behind the shock and through a hold in the inner quarter through a pipe then connect to the tank and other hoses in the hatch under the rear seat. It was a hell of a job. The hoses were rusted to hell and I had to cut the pipe inside the car to get them out. The hose cover inside the wheel well gets rusted to hell. There is a tee connection from the overflow tank to the larger hose that rusts out as well. If you fill your tank full, it will spill out. If you fill more than 3/4, it will smell until you run the tank down a bit.

These are the hoses you need:

16121177553 - fuel hose 14 x 20mm - filler neck to fuel tank - $20.75
This is a flexible braided line

There are also 2 other plastic (vinyl) lines running through the tube coming from the overflow tank above the well liner. 5/16" and 1/4" outside diameter. Got the 5/16" from a local parts store and the 1/4" off of eBay. I strongly suggest trying to salvage these. Unfortunately I damaged mine trying to get the braided line out.

All 3 of the lines connect in the hatch under the back seat.

I just happened to have snapped some photos of the finished product.

In the first pic you can see the new tee. I just found a plastic one to fit the main line then improvised to tee off to the overflow line above.

The second pic shows the hoses in place and taped together. You have to remove the top shock bolt to get it out of the way.

The third pic shows everything back together and coned up real good.

16131179011 - wheel well fuel line cover - $40.95 (ouch!!) says it's plastic but it's metal. Bav Auto was the only place I could find it.

Hope this helps.

Matt

[nate9]

Thanks Matt, that is very helpful. you don't think my problem extend all the way to the hoses in the engine right.

anyway, it is very helpful thanks again

Nate

[bart325is]

If you are just smelling gas by the filler neck then chances are it is only in that area. I would check under the rear seat as well and also all the way up to the rubber hoses that connect to the fuel rail, just to be safe. You may only have to replace the rusted out tee near the filler neck. Maybe that was all I needed to do but I didn't know any better and tore everything out.

[nate9]

Thanks again Matt, I haven't take off my rear sear before yet any quick tips and instructions? Thanks again

[InfiniteDice]

I would also clean up that upper spring perch and smother it in rustproofing, that area is very prone to rust as the water can sit there. Especially prone after gas leaks.

[Nerk]

I don't think I've ever seen an e30 without that rusted guard behind the rear shock. My car also smells like gas on the outside, and a bit on the inside, I figured out that water was seeping in through the trunk (probably the infamous tail light gasket) and basically running under my rear seat and then under the hatch cover and sit on top of that gas tank, thats caused some rust to build up on the top of my tank,...

The gas tank is also dented from some idiot trying to jack the car there (again, I've seen this about 3 out of 4 E30's). Anyhow, chances are your gas tank is fine... but check those spots out, its worth it... no need to remove any carpets, just the bottom part of the back seat, the hatch is right there... take that off and take a peak...

[Nerk]

ohh..., for the rear seat, I think if I remember correctly, you just lift straight up and slide it out..

[nate9]

Thanks guys people here are awesome I hope I can solve this problem soon

[nate9]

By the way, mine is a 1989 e30 is there any thing different than let say Matt's 1987

[Nerk]

Originally Posted by nate9

By the way, mine is a 1989 e30 is there any thing different than let say Matt's 1987

YES! the fuel system itself!

hehe, in I think 08/87 they changed the fuel tank so the main pump is inside the gas tank, on the older E30's they're on the outside,... I don't think its anything major, but when you remove your back seat, you'll notice 2 hatches, we only have 1, you want to take a look at the passenger side one mostly, thats where the transfer pump and fuel gauge sending unit is... the pkumbing might be slightly different, but I think as far as the evaporator system goes, its all the same...

I think... correct me if I'm wrong guys

And yeah, we are all awesome here... reason is... we're all in the same boat, keeping these classics alive,... its all for the greater good, so knowledge sharing is encouraged

[DIY]

even though this was solved ages ago I have some to add for any passerby

my old tee fitting from the filler neck to tank


You cannot just buy the tee fitting which is why it does not show up on realoem. you have to dish out $1xx.00 and buy the expansion tank with it... here was my solution (I also cut grooves to help it grip)



just connect the last hose and voila