Fuel System - SULEV Fuel Tank Disposal
SI B16 01 04Fuel Tank & Lines
February 2004
Service Engineering
SUBJECT
E46 SULEV - Fuel Tank Disposal Procedure
MODEL
E46 SULEV with M56
SITUATION
E46 M56 vehicles, in addition to meeting the SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission) tailpipe emission standard, also conform to Zero Evaporative Emissions norms.
In order to meet those strict standards, the SULEV's fuel tank is a completely sealed unit manufactured from a high-grade stainless steel.
In case a fuel tank is replaced on an E46 M56 SULEV vehicle, the following disposal procedure must be performed prior to scrapping of the defective tank.
PROCEDURE
BEFORE STARTING AND WHILE CONDUCTING THE STEEL FUEL TANK DISPOSAL PROCEDURE, FOLLOW ALL LOCAL AND STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO HANDLING OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.
DO NOT USE ANY ELECTRICALLY POWERED TOOLS OR OPEN-FLAME DEVICES (E.G. ACETYLENE TORCH) DURING THIS PROCEDURE.
1. As a safety precaution, when handling fuel tank always wear safety goggles and plastic (not latex) gloves, Nitrile preferred.
2. Remove defective fuel tank from the vehicle and place it on a workbench in an area where good ventilation is provided.
3. To prevent fuel vapors from escaping from the tank, use the plastic covers from the replacement tank to plug the filler neck and the filler vent line
4. Also use the plastic covers from the replacement tank to plug the fuel outlet line and tank vent line.
5. Using a good quality pipe cutter (e.g. Exhaust Pipe Cutter PN 90 88 6 002 210), cut the fuel fill pipe at approximately 1" from the tank.
6. Dispose stainless steel fill pipe.
7. Using an air or hand-operated , portable fuel transfer system (e.g. Tempo 30-FM-3200-GA listed in 2002 BMW Equipment Program Catalog), evacuate all fuel from the right side of the tank through the fill pipe inlet.
8. Carefully lift up the left side of the tank to allow fuel transfer to the right half of the tank (the one with filler inlet).
9. Again, remove all remaining fuel using the air-operated fuel transfer pump system.
10. Evacuate all fuel remaining in the fuel filter and outlet line by connecting the air-operated transfer pump to the tank output line.
11. After all the fuel has been evacuated, place the tank in an upright position (filler inlet up) and fill it with water until water starts overflowing from the filler neck.
12. Maintaining tank's upright position and full water content, using an air-powered drill with a 2-1/2" hole saw drill a hole at the bottom side of the tank (on the filler inlet side).
^ DO NOT USE ANY ELECTRICALLY POWERED CUTTING DEVISES.
^ Dispose water in accordance to the local and state laws and regulations.
13. After cutting the filler pipe and drilling the opening in the bottom, the fuel tank does not pose any environmental threat and may be safely scrapped.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
For information only.