Gas Draining '80 320i @ fuel filter, cross-over pipe or other?

[grant lyon]

Have ~ 8 gallons ~10year old fuel I want to drain to avoid contaminating the CIS FI system. What is the most practical way to drain the tank? Looks like I could: (1) rig a line from the fuel filter exit and use the fuel pump, or (2) take off the cross over pipe (with lots of gas splashing about as a downside). Haven't been under this (particular) car, would appreciate any useful hints -- such as whether there is (are) drain plug(s) not usually visible until one has good access to the car's underside.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

My adivce would probably be to remove the line going to the fuel distributor and use the pump to purge the system. Be sure to have a large enough container for the fuel and obviously dont do this around any potential sources of ignition.

Removing the crossover pipe will be considerably more difficult. You may also want to run a few gallons of fresh gas through the system until it comes out the lines. This will blow through anything that might have been in there. After you are done, change the fuel filter. Another potential problem may be the fuel accumulator which is next to the main fuel pump. They dont like to sit without use.

[jjskibinski]

Grant,
I had these same issues with my ' 84 318i. The car sat for 5 years before I purchased. I removed the drain plug from the the right side, bottom rear of the tank to drain fuel after shaking the bimmer and looking down the fill tube to determing how full tank was. Tapping on bottom of tank should also give you an idea of how full or not the tank is. Drained out 5 gal. with a good degree of sediment and some rust flakes. Decided to do this to avoid possibly sending 'junk' in fuel pump by removing through pump. The rust flakes prompted me to remove the rear seat bottom and open up the approx. 5 inch diameter access to the top of the tank so as to get a better look at the inside. Easier to clean out mess and partially dried gas this way. Messy process, but easier to clean. It is hard to reach the left side of the tank even with this access.
Regards,
Jan

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I wasnt aware there was a drain plug. My 320i didnt seem to have one. Sure would have made my job a lot easier...