fuel pump access

[zheka540]

Do I have to take off the gas tank or is there an intelligent way to get to the fuel pump? I will be very displeased with the germans if I gotta take the tank off. Please help. Thanks.

[e39dream]

lift rear seat cushion. praise german designers.

[zheka540]

Excellent. Thanks. Got another question; the car wont start, it turns over and has juice but wont start. I'm thinking theres no fuel, could there be anything else to look at?

[e39dream]

camshaft position sensor is a possibility.

[BlackSapphire]

Have you checked if there is fuel? Wrap a rag around the schrader valve on the fuel rail, press it and see if it's under pressure - some fuel will come out.

You can also remove a spark plug and see if it's damp or bone F'ing dry. Smell it too.

[zheka540]

I'm going to check right now. This happened 2 days ago, I banged on the the second tank knocked on the filter and the car started and has been starting since until today. Does that narrow down the possibilities? Also where is the camshaft position sensor? You guys are lifesavers right now. Thanks.

[zheka540]

Have you checked if there is fuel? Wrap a rag around the schrader valve on the fuel rail, press it and see if it's under pressure - some fuel will come out.

You can also remove a spark plug and see if it's damp or bone F'ing dry. Smell it too.

I checked the valve. It's under pressure but no fuel came out.

[zheka540]

Whats the procedure for removing the seat to check out the fuel pump? Thanks much.

[jamesdc4]

camshaft position sensor is a possibility.
I thought the car used the CPS to enable EFI, but if it is malfunctioning, the engine will run in parallel (?) mode. I have no idea if this is correct. Another, experienced bimmerforum member told me this when my car was throwing a CPS fault code. I do know that my engine ran just fine with the CPS not working.

[jamesdc4]

Whats the procedure for removing the seat to check out the fuel pump? Thanks much.
-Drain fuel from tank.
-Disconnect negative cable from battery.
-To access top of fuel tank, remove rear seat lower cushion by lifting front edges off catches.
-Expose right side access cover.
*Peel forward lip of carpet.
*Release rubber grommet from center of access cover insulation.
*Peel back insulation at perforations to expose fuel tank access cover.
*Remove right side cover to expose electrical harness connector.
-Remove tank sending unit.
*Release electrical harness by sliding lock back, then lifting off connector.
*Disconnect hose.
*Unscrew threaded collar from fuel pump/fuel level sender.
(Use BMW special spanner 16 1 020 to remove and install threaded collar.)
*slowly withdraw assemby from tank, allowing fuel to drain off. If necessary, push level sender arm toward sending unit to facilitate removal.
-To remove fuel pump, press locking tabs towards pump body. Lift out pump, using care not to damage hoses
-To reinstall:
*Use new sealing ring at tank collar.
*Align tab of sending unit with matching recess in opening of tank.
*Be sure that fuel line connections point in same direction as they came out.
*Reconnect harness connector and hose.
*Fill tank and check for leaks by running engine.
*Install access cover and its mounting fasteners.
(Before starting engine, be sure there is at least 1.5 gallons of fuel in the tank.)

[zheka540]

Wow. Thanks for the wealth of info james. I just printed your directions. Luckily I'm a jackass and my car wasnt starting because I didnt have enough fuel. I'm new to BMW didnt know with 40 miles remaining in range the car wont start. There should be a BMW for NOOBS thread covering things like this. Thanks a bunch regardless.

[supark]

if you're not throwing codes - try replacing the fuel filter. A friend of mine's 97 528 had a fuel filter so blocked up that the car wouldn't start. I originally though it was the CPS too - but it wasn't throwing any codes.

[EdZorX]

lift rear seat cushion. praise german designers.

HAHAHA! that's what i say all the time, gotta love the post WWII Germany for they KICK ASS!:D

[robertgu]

Does anyone have a picture of the fuel pump and second pick up that you can post?