gas tank

[RED IS 91]

When I fill my gas tank I'm getting a strong smell of gas.I removed the rear seat and pulled the cover above the fuel pump ,I didn't see any leakage but could smell fuel .I jacked the car up and went underneath ,didn't see any gas leaking at any  lines or around the tank. The smell goes away after a while.
Questions :
1) could it be the tank ?
2)Lines above the tank ?
3) What type tank in a 318is ? BM1A ? BM1B?
I know it's quite a chore to remove the tank and whether it's the lines or the tank the tank has to come down . I am not looking forward to this one .
Thanks for the help.

[hoevesruperd]

i have a strong smell when i fill it up as well. when i bought the car i had brought it to a bmw specialist and he told me the filler tube was in bad shape. might be that for you as well. by the way, i'm still running it as it is

[kowalski]

is it coming from the rear of the car, or under the hood?

under the hood, it could be the charcol canister. if its in the rear, i suppose the breather line could have come off the tank.

[RED IS 91]

It's in the rear .I'll keep an eye and nose on it and see what happens .As long as it's not spewing on the ground.
I drove it today and didn't smell anything.

[ak96ss]

I had the same thing - end result was that I had to replace every rubber line on the car, they were all dry-rotting. Started with the 2 little, 2-inch pieces that connect the fuel rail to the fuel lines rotting through. By the time I was done I had to drop the tank to get to the line that supplies fuel to the filter.

[sheepdog]

These tanks have a habit of rusting out at the seem all the way around. Also a tube coming out the top behind the driver (at the front). Mine rusted out in all of these places, but you could only smell it when it was 3/4 full for a while. Then it got worse, then it leaked.  

Couple things, if you pull it, replace it while you are there. It is a BITCH!...
Second, hunt for a tank, and buy new. Also paint the heck out of it for rust protection before you put it in. Lastly, shop around, you can find a new tank for $145 shipped 2nd day if you look. If you buy from normal vendors, expect over $500 for a tank.

Replacing the tank ranks up there with the oil pump going out. Probably the 2 of the  toughest jobs on these cars.

[RED IS 91]

Thanks sheepdog ,I've heard it's a bitch .hopefully it will wait till next spring but no one has answered what type tank it is ?Will this one fit ? It says it's for a 318i but does  the sedan and the coupe take the same tank ?This thread should help others in the future when they have this problem.
http://discountgastanks.com/search/?/BMW/1991/318I/index.htm

[sheepdog]

I think that is the one I got from them.

It is a tight fit, but it worked just fine. I rubber undercoated the whole thing except where the exhaust passed, and used spray paint on it. Just for added protection.

You will need to purchase a crossover tube (BMW calls it a CONNECTION PIPE) Part #16111177925
Odds of getting your old one off are slim to none.

[colin86325]

Likely it's the rubber filler neck tube that goes from the metal tube where you add gas to the top of the fuel tank.  It's a large diameter rubber hose that eventually rots.  Do not attempt to replace until you have less than 1/4 tank of gas--otherwise you'll spill fuel.

[sheepdog]

Likely it's the rubber filler neck tube that goes from the metal tube where you add gas to the top of the fuel tank.  It's a large diameter rubber hose that eventually rots.  Do not attempt to replace until you have less than 1/4 tank of gas--otherwise you'll spill fuel.

I tried to replace that with my tank and could not get it out.

[RED IS 91]

Likely it's the rubber filler neck tube that goes from the metal tube where you add gas to the top of the fuel tank.  It's a large diameter rubber hose that eventually rots.  Do not attempt to replace until you have less than 1/4 tank of gas--otherwise you'll spill fuel.

Is that the connection pipe that sheepdog has the part number for  ??

[colin86325]

Damn, the design on these is different than on the 325 or M3.  

I was thinking of part 15 or maybe 19:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF93&mospid=47305&btnr=16_0046&hg=16&fg=05

[sheepdog]

Is that the connection pipe that sheepdog has the part number for  ??

No, the connection pipe runs across from one side of the tank to the other underneath.

Check Realoem and look at the fuel tank, you will see it.
You only need it if you replace the tank as the old one is impossible to remove.

[RED IS 91]

No, the connection pipe runs across from one side of the tank to the other underneath.

Check Realoem and look at the fuel tank, you will see it.
You only need it if you replace the tank as the old one is impossible to remove.

Thanks for the info .