New 318ti owner... fuel pump question
 

Hello all,

I have just picked up my first e36, a 1996 318TI sport. I got a great deal on the car but it is in need of a LOT of work.

Right now, there is a VERY strong odor of fuel inside the car. The previous owner claimed that a new fuel pump was recently installed. I removed the back seat and checked under both covers to try and locate a leak and found a bit of old, bad gas sitting in the top of the fuel pump housing. I looked all over and couldn't find a fuel leak and even drove the car around with the back seat out to see if I could see anything coming out, but there isn't.

I did quite a bit of reading here and elsewhere about the fuel pump setup on this car and from what I can tell, I do not think I have the correct fuel pump in the car. This pump is blue and only has one hose going to it. From what I read, this car should have a green pump, right?

First I need to know if I even have the correct fuel pump. As for the fuel smell, I'm assuming the o-ring is missing between the large cap that holds the pump in and the tank.

Here's a pic of what I'm dealing with, after I cleaned the old fuel gunk up:
http://i.imgur.com/46HrW6Uh.jpg

I remember there is only one hose connected to the fuel pump. That is the supply line or the pressure line located on the right hand side fuel tank where the fuel pump is.
The return line goes to the left hand side fuel tank.

As far as the fuel smell, make sure there is a rubber seal around the metal ring or it could be around the fuel pump flange.

The color does not matter. My original pump was blue and the replacement I bought was green.

I had a similar problem with my 98. Every time I filled the tank, I would get a fuel odor for about 2 days. Ended up being a tiny crack in the driver's side housing (whatever that is on the driver's side in place of a pump). A little JB weld took care of it. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I pulled the fuel pump out and realized whoever put the fuel pump in didn't put the seal on right. It was halfway on the pump and halfway hanging down in the tank.

I also found that the fuel gauge sender wiring and a vent hose has been chewed up by a rat at some point. Awesome.