Do I need the in-tank fuel pump?

[npover72]

Agreed! Both the fuel sending unit and pump replacement for our cars are about $225. Your aftermarket looks pretty close to the original; my concern was the height of the new pump. Measuring is always recommended!

Thanks for your insight!

[shupe]

I have installed a high performance, high volume in-tank pump and got away from the external pump all together.

In tank keeps them cooler and last longer...

lasvegascop,
Are you running this pump on your 320i? If so you you recall which and where you picked that one up from?

[Allenwilson33]

Bump
Can you use the in-tank pump and fuel level sending unit from an 85' 325e? I'm looking at them side by side and they're identical.

[wally509]

Really? I thought the e30 in-tank pump and sending units were way longer or shorter. One would think if that was the case somebody here would have discovered that, the sending units are different part numbers and the e30 one is like $140 and the e21 one is over $350. I could really use a new or properly functioning one but don't feel like choking down the ~$400.

[Allenwilson33]

Update: I'll be measuring this sometime today or tomorrow for apples-to-apples comparison, but my first observation was that they were identical. Will check part numbers again and get back to the group with results.

[JackE28]

Hey i know this is an old thread, im currently experiencing the same issue with my 87 325i and it had the original 30 year old main pump in it till a couple of months ago, i changed it for a new bosch pump but im not sure what to do now, shld i get a used auxiliary pump or just put a tube in its place. I live in a warm climate and temps go down to - 10 deg Celsius at worst and height is not more the 1500m so i was just curious what shld i do

[epmedia]

Hey i know this is an old thread, im currently experiencing the same issue with my 87 325i and it had the original 30 year old main pump in it till a couple of months ago, i changed it for a new bosch pump but im not sure what to do now, shld i get a used auxiliary pump or just put a tube in its place. I live in a warm climate and temps go down to - 10 deg Celsius at worst and height is not more the 1500m so i was just curious what shld i do

This is my recommendation, based on no experience about your car: You can try a used in-tank pump, but don't go without the in-tank pump for your e30. You can try the e30 sub-forum for more recommendations.

[Allenwilson33]

Robert, I know you've been down this road, so I'm glad to see u chime in here. Is the e30 pump a no-no? It's made nearly the same as I compare them side by side: e30 fuel pump is shorter than the e21 by about 3/16".
I imagine that would throw the fuel level reading at the instrument cluster off, but aside from that can any harm be done?
rsz_fuel-pumps.jpg

[epmedia]

Robert, I know you've been down this road, so I'm glad to see u chime in here. Is the e30 pump a no-no? It's made nearly the same as I compare them side by side: e30 fuel pump is shorter than the e21 by about 3/16".
I imagine that would throw the fuel level reading at the instrument cluster off, but aside from that can any harm be done?

What year/model e30? We can look at the specs via RA.

[Allenwilson33]

1985 325e


ReaOEM is showing:
my 1983 e21 sending unit
Part 16121150482 was found on the following vehicles:
3' E21   (03/1976 — 12/1983)
7' E23   (10/1976 — 06/1986)

And for the 1985 e30 325e:
16121150249
SENDING UNIT ASSY METAL TANK
From:09/01/1978To:03/27/1984 (ENDED)Weight:0.183 kgPrice:
Superseded by:

16121153050 (11/01/1980 — ), Exchangeable retrospectively16141152266 (09/01/1983 — ), nonexchangeable retrospectively
The specified part was not found.
And what's RA?

[JackE28]

Also, i realize this is a stupid proposal, but can i just put a normal fuel pump that i can get for a facelift e30 the one that comes intank for the e30