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Just picked up a cheap Euro spec 528i. It doesnt run because there is no fuel getting to the engine. I pulled the inline fuel pump and bench tested it, it whirres very quietly, I assume that means its working. I pulled this thing: Part 4, except it looks skinnier in real life.
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?mod ... g=16&fg=05

I understand it is a fuel level sending unit? There are hoses going to it so i think its also a fuel pump that goes in the tank? Im not sure, thats the only door thing I can find in the trunk, where is number 7 located, I cant find it.

I don't believe that euro cars have an in-tank pump, just the level transmitter. If you pull the fuel line in the engine compartment I assume there is fuel there?

Tom


From: JodyStevens <kd101ster@gmail.com>
To: tech_forum <tech_forum@firstfives.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 2:17 pm
Subject: 78 Euro 528i

Just picked up a cheap Euro spec 528i. It doesnt run because there is no fuel getting to the engine. I pulled the inline fuel pump and bench tested it, it whirres very quietly, I assume that means its working. I pulled this thing: Part 4, except it looks skinnier in real life.
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=3971&mospid=47159&btnr=16_0034&hg=16&fg=05

I understand it is a fuel level sending unit? There are hoses going to it so i think its also a fuel pump that goes in the tank? Im not sure, thats the only door thing I can find in the trunk, where is number 7 located, I cant find it.




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Nope, getting no fuel between the tank amd the inline fuel pump or after the pump. No fuel is leaving the tank. I dont understand how the fuel could leave the tank unless there is a pump in it? Or is the inline pump strong enough to suck it down:S There are two hoses coming from the fuel level sensor, one from the fpr on the rail and one from the inline fuel pump.

I had an '81 euro 528i and an '80 euro 525i and neither had the in-tank pump. If you look up a fuel pump for a euro car it has a different part number than for the US cars with the in-tank pusher pump. On my last two US cars I've installed a euro 70 liter gas tank which does not accept the pusher pump and the cars have done over 100 k miles with no issues. It could be that the in-tank filter is clogged if the car sat for a while. Tom





From: JodyStevens <kd101ster@gmail.com>
To: tech_forum <tech_forum@firstfives.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Subject: Re: 78 Euro 528i

Nope, getting no fuel between the tank amd the inline fuel pump or after the pump. No fuel is leaving the tank. I dont understand how the fuel could leave the tank unless there is a pump in it? Or is the inline pump strong enough to suck it down:S There are two hoses coming from the fuel level sensor, one from the fpr on the rail and one from the inline fuel pump.




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Where is the filter located? Inside the tank? Some diagrams show a filter on the bottom of the level sending unit, mine doesnt have one there.

The sending units that I've seen have a metal screen on the bottom. Can you use suction to pull gas out of the tank at the inlet to the pump?
From: JodyStevens <kd101ster@gmail.com>
To: tech_forum <tech_forum@firstfives.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Subject: Re: 78 Euro 528i

Where is the filter located? Inside the tank? Some diagrams show a filter on the bottom of the level sending unit, mine doesnt have one there.




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Jody, granted I have an '80 528i, but my fuel filter is located inside the right rear wheel. It's a canister type with hoses going in & out, of course.
If this is the case, be careful to notice the arrow, which is the direction of fuel flow; from the tank toward the engine.
I just noticed, your looking for #7 in the diagram. If you haven't found it, it's not needed; stop looking. I did the same thing.
I hope this helps,,,,Greg

Oh yea, I know about that filter, its attatched to the fuel pump on my car. I thought maybe he meant there was one on the level sending unit or something. I guess not!

GripGreg wrote: I just noticed, your looking for #7 in the diagram. If you haven't found it, it's not needed; stop looking. I did the same thing.
I hope this helps,,,,Greg

Oh ok haha, yea I couldnt figure out if there was one or not. I guess Im on the hunt for a pump then. Im not used to these little inline simple fuel systems. Used to much more complex BMWs!

On my m535 the pump is inline right inside the wheel well area...where the filter is. The pump should make a nice humming noise when the engine is on....not super loud. If it is not making any noise...might need a new one.
Change all the fuel lines while you are in there. They are under high pressure and when they leak, gas goes everywhere. Hope that helps:)
jm

Went back to the shop, and looked at the euro tank I bought. It has an in- tank pump . Guess I was wrong. Some of the euros must have pumps in the tank and maybe inline also.
Check under your back seat. You can get to the pump, if there is one, there.
jm

Where is my post about Jody finding the guy who owns the parts store that know about E12's???

I will upload photos tomorrow of what I have that way everyone can get an idea.

My understanding is euros did not have an intank pump, with the possible exception of the M535i. A pump at sea level can pull up to a theoretical level of 33 feet, so 12 or 16 inches is nothing. What it does need is to be turned on thru the AFM and combo relay and not have a leak in the line between it and the suction point. I've put somewhere around 500,000 miles on BMWs that had in place, but not working in-tank pumps. They enable you to run the tank closer to empty, but little past that.

If the hose from the tank to the pump is porous or has a hole in it, the pump won't pump. Sometimes even a loose clamp will allow it to suck air and not pump.

Thanks Mike! I plan to replace all hoses and clamps once I figure out if this pump works. Im going to try and bench test it today by actually pumping some gasoline. Well see if it works.