What pressure does the intank pump produce?

The M42 is a BEAR to start some days. And by BEAR I mean a RPITA. I'm driving the truck again until I get this squared away. I don't hear the pressure pump churning (I have a Bosch #E3000-117930 in there) which is usually very loud when I turn the key to ACC. So I have a dead pump or contacts.

My question is... does the intank pump create enough pressure to possibly run the car? I know the M42 fuel regulator is probaby set at 40, maybe 30ish (stock). Just for my own knowledge than for troubleshooting.

And don't mention a Fuel Accumulator. I tossed that thing in the trash ages ago.

I'm not sure on the pressure but I would venture to say no it would not run the car. In tank pumps didn’t even come on early 323i models and in some cases early 320i's, just the external pump, which I think is at around 60psi. The cars that did make it to the US like the 320i were later fitted with an in tank pump due to a vapor lock issue since it is warmer here in the summer than in Germany.

I have heard of some people not even running an in tank pump when theirs takes a shit and they have no problems. However, there are a few other cars that used the same type of in tank pump, for instance I know the Chevy Vega pump can be directly swapped.

FWIW 320 and 323 pumps are interchangeable


edit/ Called Nelson at www.bmrparts.com and he could get it for $100 with 6 month warrantee. I didn’t mention this forum or say my name but I am sure I could get it for around $75 for you.

Let me check the wiring first there speed racer.

I was having fuel pump problems a few months back and someone told me 6 to 7 PSI, not sure if it is 100% but he is pretty reliable.

Having had an in tank pump apart I would doubt it can make any measureable pressure. It's just a tiny plastic paddle wheel, flow but not much pressure at all-certainly not enough to run an EFI engine.

Have your seen what I did to supply my EFI? Acura RSX in tank pump adapted to the e21 suction tube with nothing else but a filter in line.

http://www.e21motorsports.com/kendanielson/fuel%20pump.jpg

Works great and not too expensive off ebay.

ken