Hi guys. I need to drain the tank on a 2003 r50 that's been in storage for 5 years. I looked but couldn't find a way to hotwire the fuel pump to do so. No access to a fuel pump relay as on older cars. Is there a danger of damaging the pump doing this with water possibly in bottom of tank? I was hoping to avoid going in through the top of the tank and using a siphon which probably wouldn't get it all out. Ideas? Thanks, Ron

 

The fuel pump relay is on the fuse panel in the driver's footwell.
It should be easy enough to pull it and jump the terminals to turn on the pump.

 

It's soldered in place under a board with no access to a terminal to jump is what I've read. Am I wrong? I'll do more digging I guess. Thanks for the input.

 

You can find examples on certain Minis where this is true. However, an '03 R50 will have a traditional plug-in relay for the fuel pump.

 

Didn't see it in a quick look under the hood. On a kick panel somewhere?

 

Found it on the fuse panel, jumped it, and pumped all the gas out. Next I need to check grounds, starter leads, et., as it barely turns. After 5 years in storage I suppose some glitches are to be expected. I have a good spare from a car I just parted anyway. Maybe just needs the solenoid cleaned up or replaced.

 

Is everything done well? I hope everything is good.

 

Still trying to get the starter out - worst job on these cars IMHO, with little access to the bolts. Lower mount bolt is stuck, as this is probably the original starter on a 190K 20YO car. I'll give it another try tomorrow when it stops raining finally

 

The lower mount bolt of the starter is really easy to remove when you go the proper way: remove the passenger front wheel, use about 1 meter of extension and use a breaker bar.

 

Tried that, as I did before - successfully - but not this time as just not enough torque to a stubborn bolt through all those extensions and a breaker bar. Felt like they were made of rubber. I think I need to visit a friendly truck stop to borrow a 3' x 3/4" extension to show that bolt that I mean business! Might have to pull the axle so I can finally get a good grip with a breaker bar directly on it. Wish me luck!

 

Success! Managed to get a long 15mm 12 pt box end wrench on it with just the right angle to clear the axle and PS pump, tho still had to strap a steel bar to it with a couple of hose clamps to get enough torque on it to break it loose, just short of rounding off the bolt. I usually avoid 12 pt wrenches for that reason but had no choice this time. looks like corrosion on the terminals was the problem, but ran out of time before dark to fully check that out. we'll see tomorrow. hopefully it'll be easier putting it back together

 

So I just tried draining my R53 gas tank and got ~5 gallons out and then nothing. Gauge still shows just under half a tank and pump is running but no fuel is coming out. Any ideas? Gauge is showing something like 5-6 gallons in the tank.

 

Could it be something to do with the saddle tank? I’ve never looked into how exactly the system works.

 

Thats what I was wondering. I don’t think it would suddenly clog up but it may have. Hoping someone knows what may be going on before I tear into it unnecessarily.