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Thread: Gas Tank pressure

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Apex, NC
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    Default Gas Tank pressure

    Had an odd occurance I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced. About a month ago I had to add gas to my wagon. Undid the gas cap and had a rather strong expulsion of air/vapors/spittle from the filler neck. Thought that was odd, but since I had run it down to almost empty, thought it might just be due to there being so little gas in the tank (running on fumes). But, I continued to have this experience for a number of fill-ups, maybe about 3-4. Then, I thought to myself, I'll check it once or twice a day whether I've run the car or not and see if it seems to stay pressurized. Of course then it stopped having this condition. And now for the last couple weeks, there has been no observed abnormal pressure when I remove the gas cap.

    Time for a new gas cap or what?
    Scott
    '93 525iT 245k miles (sold, but not forgotten)
    '11 TSX Sport Wagon
    '00 328i
    '78 MGB
    '08 Saab Aero


  2. #2
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    May 2004
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    Japan
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    Default

    pressure or vacuum? There were some real problems on E38 that even the tanks collapsed due to vacuum build up. Check the tank airation system

  3. #3
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by shogun View Post
    pressure or vacuum? There were some real problems on E38 that even the tanks collapsed due to vacuum build up. Check the tank airation system
    Yeah, I was thinking vacuum at first too. But no, it was definately blowing out, not sucking in.
    Scott
    '93 525iT 245k miles (sold, but not forgotten)
    '11 TSX Sport Wagon
    '00 328i
    '78 MGB
    '08 Saab Aero


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    158

    Default

    start by checking into the fuel vent system, perhap there some blockage. There is a expansion tank and a chacoal canister in the vent system.
    http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...03&hg=16&fg=10
    glen-sj
    1995 530IA USA
    Production 6/95

  5. #5
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    Dec 2003
    Location
    Austin, TX
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by glen-sj View Post
    start by checking into the fuel vent system, perhap there some blockage. There is a expansion tank and a chacoal canister in the vent system.
    http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...03&hg=16&fg=10
    Also, if you can't find this, it's inside the passenger wheel liner...I watched Scott H and a handful of guys replace a tank a few years ago and i had no idea that was even there
    1995 540iA M-Sport - 76k miles. 1 of 1 auto AW3 cars.
    1995 540i/6 - Misc Parts donor for above.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by bimmerd00d View Post
    Also, if you can't find this, it's inside the passenger wheel liner...I watched Scott H and a handful of guys replace a tank a few years ago and i had no idea that was even there
    Thanks guys, I assume that is inside the rear passenger wheel well. As the problem seems to have corrected itself, I'll probably put this off for a while. It may be that it got clogged, then blew it out or blew off a hose or something.
    Scott
    '93 525iT 245k miles (sold, but not forgotten)
    '11 TSX Sport Wagon
    '00 328i
    '78 MGB
    '08 Saab Aero


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ScottyWM View Post
    Thanks guys, I assume that is inside the rear passenger wheel well. As the problem seems to have corrected itself, I'll probably put this off for a while. It may be that it got clogged, then blew it out or blew off a hose or something.
    It happens to my E34 wagon, happened to my old E34, happens to my E39 540i too. It seems to come and go with temperature. It will only do it on the hottest of days with the wagon.
    1995 540iA M-Sport - 76k miles. 1 of 1 auto AW3 cars.
    1995 540i/6 - Misc Parts donor for above.

  8. #8
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    Dec 2004
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    Seen it on and off without detriment on many cars, inc all my e34s (but not very often). Happens when the tank is fairly empty and has warmed up quickly (pressure) or if it has cooled down (vacuum).

    Join the Aussie
    540i LE yahoo forum

    08/88 535i e34 M30+miller MAF, 'stiens, tints & teeth!

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