318ti.org forum - gas tank drain

318ti.org forum (http://www.318ti.org/forum/index.php)

- Maintenance (http://www.318ti.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=24)

- - gas tank drain (http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=29533)

318ti808

02-17-2010 11:27 PM

gas tank drain

I just purchased a 1997 318ti with 45,000 miles for $1,200. The car is not running but is really clean. I can not work on it for a few month so want to prep it for storage and in the event it sits longer. I have added fuel additive to the 1/4 tank of existing old gas and will turn it over to get the treated gas through the fuel injectors. I would like to drain the gas tank but do not see a drain plug. My 1980s vintage 635 and 325s all had gas tank drain plugs. I completed a search of these forums but did not find and answer. Appreciate some input on whwee it may be located.

dave45056

02-18-2010 12:17 AM

Like most plastic gas tanks... I don't think there is a drain plug.
You will just have to siphon and/or use the fuel pump to pump it out if you are intent on draining it.

TiZen

03-01-2010 08:52 PM

Hey I went and bought a hand pump from advanced auto, then pulled out the backseats, and unscrewed the fuel pump housing, then pumped all the old gas out. It worked like a charm.

318ti808

03-01-2010 09:25 PM

Fuel tank drain

Thanks for the responses. I checked on the BMW parts CD and sure enough it indicated plastic gas tank, whihc I would not expect to find a drain plug. I also came across the blog by the individual who is turing his TI into an electric car, which indicated he ended up cutting the saddle bag style plastic tank in half to pull it out as he did not want to remove the drive line.

I think I will disconnect the fuel line at the engine bay, hook up a battery charger to run the fuel pump to drain it.

Norm

MacUser

03-02-2010 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 318ti808 (Post 262301)

individual who is turing his TI into an electric car

Did he happen to mention why-in-God's-name he was doing that?

tiFreak

03-02-2010 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacUser (Post 262314)

Did he happen to mention why-in-God's-name he was doing that?

fuel mileage? :tongue: it's actually a pretty cool project
http://mpkwh.blogspot.com/

318ti808

03-02-2010 01:25 AM

fuel tank drain - tank removal

electrical car builder felt that he could not remove the gas tank as it sat over the drive line as well as the emergency brake cable.

http://mpkwh.blogspot.com/search/label/Teardown

He was having a problem with unhooking the emergency brake cable. Rather than removing he decided to cut the tank in half since it was plastic. Apprently he decided he nor anyone else would have use for it.

:eek:

MacUser

03-02-2010 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiFreak (Post 262319)

fuel mileage? :tongue: it's actually a pretty cool project
http://mpkwh.blogspot.com/

I'm sure it's cool ... but I'm unconvinced about the mileage. I bet I can go further on a tank of petrol than he'll be able to go with a full charge.

MacUser

03-02-2010 02:25 AM

A few additional comments:
1. It takes balls to do this to a FUNCTIONING car!
2. Thank goodness it's not a hellrot!
3. Cool? Yes.
4. Practical? Doubtful.

All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:26 AM.