Author Topic: 91 318is fuel problems (Read 14866 times)

brian-pat91-318 · « **on:** November 19, 2008, 06:12:02 PM »

i recently bought a 1991 318is that had sat for about 2 years and im really excited about owning an e30 they are beautiful cars.the problem is that it turns over but doeasnt start. it gets spark and compression but not fuel. i pulled a line and the fuel pump isnt pumping. i pulled the pump out and tested it on a different positive lead and i can hear it buzzing but when i hook it to the cars fuel pump lead it doesnt work. ive heard it could be the relay but i dont know where at under the hood its located. besides that is there any other reason the car isnt sending it power? im about to drop the tank on saturday to check and see if its grounded correctly, could the grounding be the problem? speaking of which i need to find a way of cleaning out the tank of rust, if theres any way? if not do you guys know what year and model e30's that i can get a tank from? or anywhere i can find one for under $250? stupid budget

any help would be greatly appreciated
thanx
-brian-

bearsbmw · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2008, 06:44:28 PM »

fuse or relay ... check them

brian-pat91-318 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 19, 2008, 06:57:22 PM »

Quote from: bearsbmw;61262

fuse or relay ... check them

is the relay the one in the middle of the three relays under the plastic cover against the firewall behind the brake booster? i dont know which fuse or fuse number the fuse is.

sorry i dont mean to be a pain in the ass

bearsbmw · « **Reply #3 on:** November 19, 2008, 07:14:32 PM »

I have a e36 so it might be in a diffrent spot so you should wait for a e30 guy to give a 100%

brian-pat91-318 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2008, 07:20:51 PM »

Quote from: bearsbmw;61265

I have a e36 so it might be in a diffrent spot so you should wait for a e30 guy to give a 100%

yea but hey thanx anyway man. i just joined the group and i wanna become really involved. love the cars

roundel318 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2008, 08:39:11 PM »

Check Fuse 11 and also the fuel pump relay. I am looking for its location but don't know exactly offhand.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2008, 11:14:43 AM »

On the drivers side(american) firewall.

roundel318 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2008, 11:28:46 AM »

I just know we need a song about teamwork

brian-pat91-318 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2008, 11:36:45 AM »

thanks guys. could the grounding on the fuel pump conncter be bad by any chance?

roundel318 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 20, 2008, 12:37:08 PM »

anything is possible with the age of the car.
grounding issues are common at times

There was a thread with a guy having some issues with a underside of his main fusebox panel regarding soldering on the PCB.
It is not fun to get to.

brian-pat91-318 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 20, 2008, 12:40:28 PM »

Quote from: roundel318;61344

anything is possible with the age of the car.
grounding issues are common at times

There was a thread with a guy having some issues with a underside of his main fusebox panel regarding soldering on the PCB.
It is not fun to get to.

rather than the grounding of the fusebox could it just be the simple grounding of the fuel pump connctor? or is that not possible. im going to drop the tank and have a look around that area anyways.

roundel318 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 20, 2008, 12:48:22 PM »

nono, yank the back seat bottom.
You can have a peek right in there to check a few things I believe.
Bearsbmw did a pull on his, he had a post on a thread with a really nice picture of his pull.
He does have a E36, but i think the fuel tank is still in the same spot

be safe!

brian-pat91-318 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 20, 2008, 01:02:35 PM »

Quote from: roundel318;61347

nono, yank the back seat bottom.
You can have a peek right in there to check a few things I believe.
Bearsbmw did a pull on his, he had a post on a thread with a really nice picture of his pull.
He does have a E36, but i think the fuel tank is still in the same spot
be safe!

yea ive already done that but the wires go under the seat metal beyond my reach. im droping the tank because i have to clean/replace it anyways. so i was wondering if the fuel pump connecter is viewable if i take the tank out.

roundel318 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2008, 01:19:57 PM »

I would hope so, I had a fuel pump replaced three years ago, there was speak of having to drop the tank. Otherwise, I am not sure to be totally honest

Does it buzz when someone is cranking the car over to start it or it is running?
How loud is it?

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 20, 2008, 04:59:53 PM »

Dropping the tank on these cars is quite a process but if your going to replace everything then have at it.Personally ,if it ain't leaking fuel then I'm not removing the tank.There are some write ups on it if your feeling frisky.
good luck