Fuel tanks 350i

[Phil350]

Struggled with the passenger side, rusted jubillees etc eventually came out. Can some one tell me does the drivers side come out bearing in mind not much clearance and the extensions gion through the body ??

[350matt]

A friend of mine who used to work in a TVR dealership when the wedge was new said the approved method was to cut through the fibreglass bulkhead behind the seat then re-glass it back in when you'd replaced / repaired the tank.
Why not take the oppportunity to add some extra capacity while you're there?
I've often thought about another long thin tank along the top of the tunnel.

Matt

[mike350]

Just another FUN job on the Wedge!!! I removed the drivers side fuel tank last year for the MOT as it was leaking along one of the top seams. In order to pull the tank clear I had to cut into the fibre glass around the filler neck, all done from inside the wheelarch which is around the rear parcel shelf so never damaging the body surface. All I needed was about 3/4 inch more clearance in order to free the tank and pull it clear.I kept the cut pieces and glassed them back in place once I had re-installed the tank. While the tank is out take the opportunity to check over the swirl pot, mine was beginning to rust but was caught in time to prevent a costly replacement.

One final and VERY IMPORTANT note after re-assembly. As standard the fuel filter is after the fuel pump. You only need 1 flake of paint of shard of rust from the tank or disturbed pipes and the fuel pump will seize and be useless.Fit the main fuel filter before the pump and a secondary smaller filter after the pump before putting petrol back in the tank. I have done this, after buying a new fuel pump and have no pressure problems.

>> Edited by mike350 on Monday 29th April 13:17