1991 320i Leaking fuel tank

[Grey2000]

Hi,

I recently purchased a 1991 BMW 320i, and everything seemed to be fine UNTIL
I went to fill her up. As the attendant was filling up the tank he pointed out
to me with some alarm that petrol was streaming out from underneath the car.

I took a look and to my horror observed a steady stream of fuel flowing out
from somewhere underneath the area of the rear pasenger door.

The car is fine as long as I fill it up to less than 3 quarters full, after that
it overflows. It doesn't seem like a small hole or anything because the fuel
leaks out at a very rapid pace. I suspect some sort of cracked hose or something,
but why would it only leak after 3/4 full ?

Does anyone have any ideas where the leak could be, presuming there is not
a physical hole in the tank itself ?

[joshh]

Best thing to do is lift it up and get look for yourself. Otherwise its all guesses....good luck with that.

[BMW Lover]

yah he is right, it culd be that the tank is on different levels so that the bottom holds 3/4 a tank but after it gets up to the level where the whole is...it leaks then...i hope that makes sense, thats what im thinking...

[steeN]

I had this problem too. Remove the rear seat (the lower part). Remove the lining there. After that you should see a metal lid attached with 4 screws(this is just right above the tank). Undo the screws, remove the lid. There is the place where is the fuel leak. I don't know how to fix it because i had it fixed for me but it must be something with the pipes that go in there.

[BMW Lover]

wow that blows man, if its that big of a deal...thats a defect in bmw...something i have heard very rare...