Regan Brown
Replacing the fuel pump on a BMW E30 is a moderately difficult task that can be completed in 1-2 hours. Before beginning, make sure to disconnect the battery and remove as much gasoline from the car as possible to avoid any accidental sparks. The first step is to remove the rear seat base. The fuel pump unit is located under a plate under the rear driver's side. Remove the plate above the fuel pump, and disconnect the fuel line and the fuel pump and level sender connections. Pull out the fuel level sender, and then turn the pump anti-clockwise to unclip it from the tank. Pull the pump upwards and rebuild the new pump into the assembly. Reassemble the car by following the previous steps in reverse, and then reconnect the battery and test if the car starts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | 1-2 hours |
| Tools required | 16mm socket and driver, 4mm Allen head screw, Phillips head screwdriver, flat-blade screwdriver, 8mm socket, extension and driver |
| Parts required | Fuel pump and fuel level sender |
| Vehicle type | BMW E30 3-Series (1984-93) |
| Common issues | Noisy pump, low fuel pressure, internal check valve failure, seized pump, faulty electrical connections |
| Pre-replacement steps | Remove gasoline from the car, disconnect the battery, keep a fire extinguisher handy, disconnect the gas cap, wear protective gloves and eye protection |
| Post-replacement steps | Reinstall the back seat, reconnect the fuel hoses, electrical connections, and battery, test the new pump by starting the car |
What You'll Learn
Remove the rear seat base
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Disconnect the battery
Disconnecting the battery is an essential step before beginning to work on your BMW E30. Working near the fuel tank without first disconnecting the battery can be dangerous as it can cause accidental sparks from electrical connections.
Before disconnecting the battery, remove as much gasoline from the car as possible. Get a long piece of fuel hose and place it down the fuel filler hole. Then, hook up a small battery-operated carburetor fuel pump and pump the gasoline from one car to another. Alternatively, you could buy a gasoline hand pump from most auto parts stores. Try to remove every drop of gas from the tank.
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Remove the back seat
To remove the back seat of your BMW E30, first move both the driver and passenger seats all the way forward. Then, crawl into the back of the car and tug up on the rear seat from the bottom edge. The back seat is simply clipped in place, so it should pop up with minimal force. Now that the back seat is removed, you will see sound-deadening material with two flaps, one on the right side and one on the left.
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Disconnect electrical connectors
Disconnecting the electrical connectors is a crucial step in replacing the fuel pump in a BMW E30. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:
First, locate the electrical connectors. They can be found by removing the rear seat base and, in the case of a touring model, pulling up the carpet from the floor to access the fuel pump unit. Once you have located the fuel pump, you will see the electrical connectors emerging from a circular cover.
Next, carefully disconnect the electrical connectors. There should be two of them connected to the pump. It is important to wear protective gloves during this step as there may be some fuel spillage.
After disconnecting the electrical connectors, you will need to disconnect the fuel lines that feed into the top of the pump. Again, there may be some fuel spillage, so have paper towels or a bucket ready to catch any leaking fuel.
Once the electrical connectors and fuel lines are disconnected, you can remove the circular cover and the thin foam seal underneath it. This will expose the fuel pump and fuel level sender.
At this stage, you may also need to disconnect any wiring or components that are attached to the fuel pump. It is important to label or mark these connections to ensure proper reassembly.
Now that the electrical connectors have been disconnected, you can move on to the next steps in replacing the fuel pump, such as removing the old pump and installing the new one. Remember to exercise caution when working with fuel and ensure the area is well-ventilated.
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Remove the old fuel pump
Removing the Old Fuel Pump
The fuel pump is located under a plate under the rear driver's side. To remove the old fuel pump, first, remove the rear seat base. If you have a touring model, you will also need to pull up the carpet from the floor to gain access to the unit. Remove the rear seat belt stalks with a 16mm socket. Then pull the carpet forward towards the front seats.
For saloon and coupe models, remove the securing bar that the rear seat base clips to. This is held in by four 4mm Allen-headed grub screws. Now, remove the plate above the fuel pump with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Disconnect the fuel line by undoing the hose clip. Disconnect the fuel pump and level sender connections. Be careful at this stage as you will be in contact with the fuel. Now, pull out the fuel level sender. It is secured in the middle of the pump assembly with four 8mm nuts.
The pump is ready to be removed. Turn the pump anti-clockwise to unlock it from the tank. Then, gently pull the pump upwards. Remove the old pump from the assembly and wire on the new terminals supplied with the new pump.
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Frequently asked questions
If the pump is noisy or making loud clicking noises, the bearings inside are likely worn out and should be replaced. If the pump continues to make noise even after the ignition is shut off, internal check valves in the pump may be failing. Other signs of a faulty fuel pump include the car not performing at its peak, the pump motor getting stuck, and fuel pressure in the engine compartment being lower than what is needed for proper fuel injection operation.
First, remove the rear seat base. The fuel pump unit is located under a plate under the rear driver's side. Disconnect the fuel line and disconnect the fuel pump and level sender connections. Take care at this stage as you will be in contact with the fuel. Now also pull out the fuel level sender. It is secured into the middle of the pump assembly.
You will need a 16mm socket and driver, a 4mm Allen head screw, a Phillips head screwdriver, a flat-blade screwdriver, an 8mm socket, an extension, and a driver. You will also need a new fuel pump and fuel level sender.
