Fuel tank — removal and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Removal

1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.

2. Before removing the tank, it is necessary to remove all remaining fuel from it. Since there is no drain plug in the tank, it is necessary to use up as much fuel as possible before removing the tank.

3. Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it securely.

4. Disconnect the parking brake cables from the levers as described in Chapter 9.

5. Remove the driveshaft as described in Chapter 8.

6. Remove the trim from the left side of the tank and the threshold trim (fig. 3.6,a,b). Repeat the same steps on the right side of the tank.





7. Remove the parking brake cables from the guide tubes (Fig. 3.7).



8. Disconnect the pressure and return hoses from the tank. Mark them before removing them to avoid confusion during assembly (Fig. 3.8). Be prepared for fuel to flow from the pipes - plug the openings of the hoses and pipes to avoid leaks and protect the system from dirt.





9. Loosen the filler neck clamp and disconnect it from the tank (Fig. 3.9).



10. Support the tank with a trolley jack, placing a wooden block on the jack platform.

11. Unscrew the tank mounting bolt in the center on its rear side, as well as the tank clamp bolts (Fig. 3.11).



12. Lower the tank slightly and disconnect the electrical connector.



13. Loosen the clamp and disconnect the ventilation hose from the tank (Fig. 3.13). Lower the tank and pull it out from under the car.

Installation

14. Install the tank in the reverse order of removal. Keep in mind that after removing the tank, at least 5 liters of fuel must be poured into it to fill the fuel system.