Draining E31 fuel tank - BMW Car Club Forum

Author

Message

Topic Search

Topic Options

alan.sockett@btinter View Drop Down

Club Member

Joined: 07 Aug 2021
Location: Crewe
Status: Offline
Points: 3

Post Options

Post Reply

Quote alan.sockett@btinter

Report Post

Thanks(0)

Quote

Topic: Draining E31 fuel tank
Posted: 08 Aug 2021 at 9:07am

My car has been in storage for 8 years, unfortunately I left it with fuel tank half-full.

I have tried to siphon fuel out via the filler neck but even with 42in of tube in the tank I have not reached any petrol.

Suggestions of any method for draining the tank of the waste petrol would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Alan

Sponsored Links

Mike Fishwick View Drop Down

Forum Member

Joined: 04 Aug 2006
Location: France
Status: Offline
Points: 2730

Post Options

Post Reply

Quote Mike Fishwick

Report Post

Thanks(0)

Quote

Posted: 08 Aug 2021 at 3:37pm

Assuming that the engine cranks but does not start (a miracle after 8 years!) remove the plugs and make sure they are clean and dry.

You could try extending the fuel supply pipe into a tin, and hot wiring the fuel pump. When the tank is down to about a quarter full, fill it up with a decent four-star fuel. If you then get problems with starting, and the plugs are getting wet, dry them off with a blowtorch and feed some butane gas from the torch into the air intake while cranking - this always works well on lawnmowers etc!

Edited by Mike Fishwick - 08 Aug 2021 at 3:40pm

A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!

alan.sockett@btinter View Drop Down

Club Member

Joined: 07 Aug 2021
Location: Crewe
Status: Offline
Points: 3

Post Options

Post Reply

Quote alan.sockett@btinter

Report Post

Thanks(0)

Quote

Posted: 09 Aug 2021 at 9:07am

Hi Mike, thanks for the quick response, your suggestions are very helpful. However I am not familiar with the location of the components, also I doubt that I would be able to access them.

Therefore I think I will enlist the help of my local independent BMW garage. Thanks again for your help. Best regards Alan.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
alan.sockett@btinter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 07 Aug 2021 Location: Crewe Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote alan.sockett@btinter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Draining E31 fuel tank Posted: 08 Aug 2021 at 9:07am
	My car has been in storage for 8 years, unfortunately I left it with fuel tank half-full. I have tried to siphon fuel out via the filler neck but even with 42in of tube in the tank I have not reached any petrol. Suggestions of any method for draining the tank of the waste petrol would be appreciated. Many thanks Alan

Sponsored Links

Mike Fishwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2730	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike Fishwick Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 2021 at 3:37pm
	Assuming that the engine cranks but does not start (a miracle after 8 years!) remove the plugs and make sure they are clean and dry. You could try extending the fuel supply pipe into a tin, and hot wiring the fuel pump. When the tank is down to about a quarter full, fill it up with a decent four-star fuel. If you then get problems with starting, and the plugs are getting wet, dry them off with a blowtorch and feed some butane gas from the torch into the air intake while cranking - this always works well on lawnmowers etc! Edited by Mike Fishwick - 08 Aug 2021 at 3:40pm
	A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!

alan.sockett@btinter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 07 Aug 2021 Location: Crewe Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote alan.sockett@btinter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Aug 2021 at 9:07am
	Hi Mike, thanks for the quick response, your suggestions are very helpful. However I am not familiar with the location of the components, also I doubt that I would be able to access them. Therefore I think I will enlist the help of my local independent BMW garage. Thanks again for your help. Best regards Alan.