1996 328i Fuel leaks when full

[Ulyka]

When I fill up the tank, if I park it a puddle of fuel collects under the tank. If you look you at the tank it appears that it may be leaking from the filler hose. However, I have tightened that clamp up and went and filled the tank. Parked in the driveway and no leak, so I left it sitting there for awhile. Later I pulled it into the garage and the drops started the instant that I moved and followed me into the garage.
I stops completely if you drive a while or just do not fill it up.

Any hint of what it could be before I go pulling the tank to get a better look?

I would appreciate any advice!

 

[mikev]

Could be a hole near or in the top of the tank (that happened on my mums old pug 405) does the fuel appear when you start the engine or when you move?? if its just when you move i'd say a holed tank (bit of patch work should sort it out) if its when the engine starts then more likely its gonna be the hoses.

 

[Ulyka]

Thank you for the advise. I will attempt to answer your questions, which might shed some additional light on the problem.

Regarding the question of if it leak when I start the engine or when your move?
I could not tell you if it continues to leak when I am on the move, I do know that it leaks if it just sits there parked on a flat garage floor. The time that I mentioned seemed a little strange, in that it was not leaking until I moved it into the garage and then it started and did not stop until it formed a small puddle under the car.

Will I need to drop the tank to do the patch work? What kind of patch would you recommend?

Last question: If I am droping the tank, is there some additional maintenance that I should do while I am there?

 

[manuel]

might have something to do with a hose leading to the engine? when your car is off the pump might not have been putting pressure on the line, until you moved it. who knows, this is all just guess work.

 

[carcus]

Thank you for the advise. I will attempt to answer your questions, which might shed some additional light on the problem.

Regarding the question of if it leak when I start the engine or when your move?
I could not tell you if it continues to leak when I am on the move, I do know that it leaks if it just sits there parked on a flat garage floor. The time that I mentioned seemed a little strange, in that it was not leaking until I moved it into the garage and then it started and did not stop until it formed a small puddle under the car.

Will I need to drop the tank to do the patch work? What kind of patch would you recommend?

Last question: If I am droping the tank, is there some additional maintenance that I should do while I am there?

I would check the filler hose first before dropping the tank. I had the same problem before on a Chevy, was a leaking filler hose that had to be replaced....did the same thing. Not sure on the BMW, just wanted to have you check the cheap stuff first before dropping the tank. Hope this helps.