Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1

    2005 ZHP Fuel Leak in Engine Bay... need assistance

    ZHOMafia Members:


    I have a 2005 ZHP auto, convertible with a very recent fuel leak discovered two days ago.

    Leak Description
    Slightly in front of the front wheel, inward about a foot, a constant drip occurs once the vehicle is started and running. When I primed the fuel pump several times, I could not see any fuel drip.

    Current State
    I have removed airbox, cabin air filter, and the engine covers. I did not see any leaking fuel at the fuel rail. Note: Eight months ago, I replaced the fuel filter/ regulator ... no leaks in this area. Will remove splash cover to get a better view of the drip.


    Questions
    I am assuming that the fuel line between the fuel filter/regulator and the fuel rail needs to be replaced in whole or part.

    (1)(a)How does one remove the fuel line in whole or part? (b) Does the splash guard need to be removed to expose the fuel lines?

    (2) (a) Does the fuel rail have to be removed? (there are two portions of the fuel line according to realoem.com ... the rear fuel feed [from the fuel filter/regulator ... horizontal] and a second section ..fuel pipes set ...[vertical to the fuel rail)

    (3) (a) What type of connections are there between the horizontal and vertical fuel lines? (b) Are they quick connectors? (c) How are the connectors removed/released? ... does it require a special tool? (d) if the vertical fuel line is leaking, does that mean that the fuel rail has to be removed? (e) If the fuel rail has to be removed, is this video correct for removal ube.com/watch?v=Oe87i2yw49U How to Replace Fuel Rail With Injectors 97-06 BMW 325 Xi" by A1-Auto?

    In advance, thank you for your assistance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    133
    This is pretty unusual....In front of front wheel? - you mean between wheel and radiator? There isn't al lot of fuel in that area except fuel rail, and injectors for cyl's 1 -3.

    The fuel hose is much further back against the rear firewall. The single fuel hose is a quick connect...There is a cheap tool from harbor freight I think, but because access is so poor, I just use my hands and pull back on quick-connect clips while pushing hose forward onto the fuel rail inlet...eventually the whole thing releases and it comes off.

    But I would first look for leaks at the front of the rail and injectors for cyl's 1-3...

  3. #3
    Check your injectors, I’ve seen them crack and leak externally on M54’s in the past.
    2003 Slicktop ZHP 330i - Maintenance Thread

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Pilot05 View Post
    This is pretty unusual....In front of front wheel? - you mean between wheel and radiator? There isn't al lot of fuel in that area except fuel rail, and injectors for cyl's 1 -3.

    The fuel hose is much further back against the rear firewall. The single fuel hose is a quick connect...There is a cheap tool from harbor freight I think, but because access is so poor, I just use my hands and pull back on quick-connect clips while pushing hose forward onto the fuel rail inlet...eventually the whole thing releases and it comes off.

    But I would first look for leaks at the front of the rail and injectors for cyl's 1-3...


    Pilot05 ... my location description was incorrect ... its near the firewall about a foot or so inward. I inspected the fuel rail ... no fuel leaks.

    Remaining Questions

    (1) What and where does the "Fuel Return Line" [#16126752189] connect to? Realoem's diagrams do not show the connection point.

    (2) (a) In the event that I remove the fuel rail as opposed to the blind approach... do you have any suggestions for the fuel rail removal? On the A1- Auto video they sprayed a non-silicon substance to help release the injectors. (b0 Will WD-40 be appropriate to use to help facilitate the fuel rail removal?

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Satcho View Post
    Pilot05 ... my location description was incorrect ... its near the firewall about a foot or so inward. I inspected the fuel rail ... no fuel leaks.

    Remaining Questions

    (1) What and where does the "Fuel Return Line" [#16126752189] connect to? Realoem's diagrams do not show the connection point.

    (2) (a) In the event that I remove the fuel rail as opposed to the blind approach... do you have any suggestions for the fuel rail removal? On the A1- Auto video they sprayed a non-silicon substance to help release the injectors. (b0 Will WD-40 be appropriate to use to help facilitate the fuel rail removal?


    Discoveries
    (1) Fuel line return in the realoem drawing is incorrect. It does not connect in the engine bay rather at the fuel filter/regulator; it is a hard line.

    (2) Below I will describe the problem analysis; I did not use any lubrication for the fuel rail removal. I did use a thin coat of oil on the top injector o-ring to facilitate re-installation of the fuel rail

    Leak Background
    2005 BMW 330CI Convertible (ZHP)
    When the fuel filter was replaced in August 2021, the ring clamps were re-used on the transition rubber hoses (new hoses installed) connecting the hard lines to the fuel filter.

    Root Cause
    The leaks were on both rubber hoses around the 4 ring clamps. Upon installing new fuel injection ring clamps (non-BMW) ... no leaks were observed. The ring clamps were likely original and may be one use clamps. Never-the-less, they have been replaced. I went ahead and replaced the rubber quick-connect fuel line to the fuel rail.

    Removal Process Comments
    (1) I removed the fuel rail from the injectors ... replaced the top o-rings ... pulled the fuel rail to expose the quick connect and just pushed on it to release; no special tools required!
    (2) I had read a step by step process for fuel rail removal which stated that only one side the the electrical harness metal clips needed to be released. I tried that but it would not release; therefore both sides of the clips were released and one could progressively wiggle and remove the fuel rail.
    (3) One does need to have a telescopic magnet to retrieve errant electrical harness clips or fuel rail bolts.
    (4) The clips holding the fuel line vertically are a pain to release, especially the one near the starter but it just spreads to release the line, the other connection points were simply friction fits.

    No pictures because they would be of no value. It's more about the parts and process.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    18,064
    Good that's sorted.

    Sent from my SM-F926U1 using Tapatalk
    Randeaux/Rando/John/jr - '06 Cic ZHP; Southern California
    "ZHP or not, I still like you"


    ZHP Performance Package, Cold Weather Package, Leather, Jet Black/Black/BlackCube, NAV, Anthracite Black "my individual" interior trim
    ESS Stage 1 Twin Screw Supercharger, Sprint Booster, BMW Perf Intake, Magnaflow Exhaust, Dinan TB & STEP S/W, UCC Sway Bars, Apex EC-7 18x8.5 ET38
    Suspension: AST 44100 dampers, Bimmerworld front adjustable end links, Swift springs (8K front, 10K rear), Vorshlag camber plates
    Dynavin D99+, Hardwire V1 (w/V1 Connection), BSW Stage 1 Speakers, Kicker Amp/Subwoofer
    BMW Performance Strut Brace, Orion V2 Angel Eyes, No-holes License Plate, SMG Paddle Shift Mod, Besian VANOS, Gold DISA, Fan Delete, M3 Side Mirrors
    Note: Actual car no longer resembles signature picture

Similar Threads

  1. Engine cranks but will not start (Already replaced fuel pump & crank sensor)
    By nozhp4u in forum Mechanical | Troubleshooting
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 06-02-2016, 05:07 PM
  2. Fuel won't stop coming out of blue fuel line during fuel filter change
    By NickZHP in forum Mechanical | Troubleshooting
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 02-27-2016, 10:47 PM
  3. PSA: Fuel Pump Install (Fluctuating Fuel Gauge)
    By melonz in forum General -- ZHP Related
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-11-2015, 04:44 PM
  4. Oil leak and Vaccum Leak: Help to diagnosis?
    By BavarianZHP in forum Mechanical | Troubleshooting
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 01-08-2014, 11:41 AM
  5. *Request Thread* Need Pics of the Fuel Lines into the Fuel Filter
    By Hornung418 in forum General -- ZHP Related
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 11-11-2012, 04:55 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •