i have a 83 1.8 320i and it has developed a gas leak. i was wondering if any of you can help me. when the car is parked there seems to be a leak between the two tanks under the car. i wanna know if it is possible to access the gas tanks/lines by removing the back seats to get to the tanks; or is there another way of getting to it without removing the tanks?
thanks

Having not done that yet myself I'm not 100% sure but I don't think you can do anything about a leak from under the seat. You can access the in-tank pump from there but that's about it. Leaking hoses are not altogether an uncommon problem due to aging. I'm pretty sure you're going to need to drop the tank/s and then replace the hoses. I have a similar issue where it leaks when I fill the tank until I run off about 60-70 miles.

oh no!

Having not done that yet myself I'm not 100% sure but I don't think you can do anything about a leak from under the seat. You can access the in-tank pump from there but that's about it. Leaking hoses are not altogether an uncommon problem due to aging. I'm pretty sure you're going to need to drop the tank/s and then replace the hoses. I have a similar issue where it leaks when I fill the tank until I run off about 60-70 miles.


yeah i that sounds similar to my problem. so draining and droping the tanks is the only answer?

yeah i that sounds similar to my problem. so draining and droping the tanks is the only answer?

Have you tried Divine Intervention???

lol no

Pull the rear seat bottom, then pull the 2 access panels, one over each tank. 4 screws on one, 3 screws on the other. I replaced 4 hoses when I got mine running, I might need to replace the "breather" hose between the tops of the tanks because I am still getting some light fumes with a full tank.

Can you do ALL of that from the top Greg??

i have a 83 1.8 320i and it has developed a gas leak. i was wondering if any of you can help me. when the car is parked there seems to be a leak between the two tanks under the car. i wanna know if it is possible to access the gas tanks/lines by removing the back seats to get to the tanks; or is there another way of getting to it without removing the tanks?
thanks

I had a similar problem, with gas dripping when the car was turned off. It was a rubber line (some sort of return, but was under pressure?) that was fractured due to age - BMW dealer had a replacement for about 15 bucks. It is a pressure line. Jack up the right rear, remove the wheel and check the rubber lines around the fuel pump.

Can you do ALL of that from the top Greg??


Not sure. I replaced the feed hose from the in tank pump to the pressure pump and had to lower the pass side tank a slight bit to feed it through. The hose between them - I haven't tried it yet. Might be able to, if not, I will drop them both slightly.

You need to get under the car to see exactly where the leak is coming from. There could be something simple or something more involved. There is a hose about 12 inches long between the tanks which is covered by a guard. If it looks like fuel is running down the sides of the tanks you have a leak either at the sending/internal pump unit. That is probably a leak at the seal or the clamps are lose, or a dry rotted piece of fuel line. In that case just snipe it off and clamp it back on. You can check the sending unit from inside under the seat to see what is leaking if it looks like fuel is coming down the side of the tanks. If it is coming down the side from the drivers side, the hose fitting on top is loose or rotten. In that case you will have to remove the tank from the bottom and replace/tighten the hose.