Can I replace fuel pump at 1/2 tank? -SOLVED, YES

[kevinkay]

I want to change my electric fuel pump (right side, pass.). Bently says drain tank to 1/4, also read anything under 3/4 I can safely open it up??
MY tank is at 1/2 and wanted to do it today and draining is not an option.


Thanks!

[tmv]

I don't see why not. Just make sure to work in a well-ventilated area and NO open flame

[upallnight]

Get yourself a pair of extra long gasoline proof gloves. You don't want to expose your skin to gasoline for any length of time.

[kevinkay]

Upallnight - is that an absolutely "YES" - I can open the pump/level sending access hole at 1/2 tank of gas??

My understanding is there is a syphon between the 2 sides and fear if I open it at higher than 1/4 tank (as Bentley says) the syphon action will pump fuel up and into my back seat!! ??

hoping to hear from someone that has worked on it between 1/4 - 3/4. Isn't the access hole at the top of the tank?

THANKS!

[upallnight]

Access is at the top of the tank. Siphon pump only works when the fuel pump is running. Unless you will be changing the fuel pump with the engine running this is a moot point.

I changed a fuel pump on my E34 Touring which is a similar design to the X.

[kevinkay]

Originally Posted by upallnight

Access is at the top of the tank. Siphon pump only works when the fuel pump is running. Unless you will be changing the fuel pump with the engine running this is a moot point.

I changed a fuel pump on my E34 Touring which is a similar design to the X.

And how much gas was in the tank?

Don't want to be a jerk/distrustful, but why is Bently saying to drain the tank to 1/4?

[upallnight]

I would say I did it with just a half a tank. It's a lot harder to work on getting the fuel pump out if the tank was more than a half tank, since you need to let the fuel drain out of the pump and sending unit. Messy if the tank was more than 1/4 full.

[Tomdownunder]

I changed pump in my E39 touring with more than half a tank. Biggest issue for me was making sure no crap fell in the tank. Just make sure you have plenty of rags handy to stop fuel dripping everywhere when you pull the old pump out.

[wpoll]

I would imagine the pump is sitting down in the fuel regardless of how much fuel is in the tank (it wont work well otherwise!), so I guess it's just a matter of degree - how much of the pump will be dripping fuel when you remove it.

Done this on a Golf but never on a Beemer... tank was about half full and as others have said - it's messy but do-able.

[upallnight]

The fuel pump sits in a sump which is the lowest portion of the tank, so the pump is always immersed in gasoline.