Fuel leak / fuel pump failure??

My 83 320i is leaking spewing gas from what seems to be the fuel pump area. behind the gas tank. It stopped when I turned the car off. Can I get some feedback as to the popssible causes of the leak.. could it be the pump?? I am hoping that it is only a hose clamp though I have a feeling it is not going to be a cheap fix. Thanks in advance..

OK, hold everything. I'm scared the other answers are all over the ball park, and none a home run. You have a Constant Injection System on your BMW, which means it runs at very high fuel pressure. there's a small secondary fuel pump located in the fuel tank. Its job is to send fuel to the major pump, located under the car to the right of the differential. also, there's something called a pressure accumulator mounted right with the major pump. The most probably place for you to have a leak is in the fuel line from the secondary pump in the tank to the major pump, because I THINK it's a rubber line. The lines from the major pump to the accumulator, then from the accumulator to the front of the car are hard lines due to high pressure up to 100 psi operating pressure . But with a 24 year old car, it may also be the pump, the accumulator or the hard lines. Someone is just going to have to go under and watch where the leak is. You don't have to begin the car to find it. once you turn on the ignition, both pumps run for a second or two to prime the system. And you do not want to run the car. If it's something beyond your comfort level, attempt to find someone with some experience with that kind of injection system, as it may be a little difficult.

Good Luck.

ASE Master Tech and Certified BMW tech from many years ago.

Fuel pump is failing. When a fuel pump fails fuel will leak out of the weep hle in the body of it. To let you know it failed. Change it soon, but 1st check all the fuel lines and hoses. If a line has a pin hole it can spit fuel anywhere. Tighten all hose clamps. clean down the regions with a clean cloth then start the engine and check all the regions for fuel leaks. Check the fuel pump 1st.

You will have to get in there and look. It can be the seal on the top of the tank. You may have clog in the lines which is causing it to blow fuel out of the weakest seal in the system. If you can not check it yourself, get it towed to a shop.

It sounds like it may be a loose hose or more probably a rotted hose. You have to get in there to it and check the hose, it isn't unusual for a 25 year old hose to get a hole in it caused by rot. do not drive it like that although, that's super dangerous.

You may need a new fuel pump. There may be a crack in your fuel pump now that is why it is leaking. Or check your gasket also to see if they wore out already maybe you just have to put a new gasket clean it 1st well before permanently changing the gasket because it'll because it to leak more. If the gasket is intack then change the whole pump.