Tank piece just broke off!

[Pagman]

This was looking crooked so i was trying to adjust it. It was frail and broke right off! :yow Can anybody tell me what it is and is it important to the function of the tank? Thanks.

[Rick G]

Not important to the function of the tank but is there apparently to help prevent the tank being punctured in the event of a direct hit.

[Pagman]

Not important to the function of the tank but is there apparently to help prevent the tank being punctured in the event of a direct hit.

Ok, so I guess it's because the fuel pump can act as a pressure point upon impact on that area. However, anything above a minor hit wil need a lot more rubber! I guess bmw looks out for the little fender benders (or tank in this case).

Thanks.

[CubPilot]

More on the order of vibration dampening.   Fuel pumps will send a lot of vibration into surrounding metal.   This case sheet metal, the rubber mount ring will take up some.   Put your hand in the tank on the pump mount and you'll see what I'm talking about.  Just as Bar End Weights reduce Handle Bar vibration.

[Pagman]

More on the order of vibration dampening.   Fuel pumps will send a lot of vibration into surrounding metal.   This case sheet metal, the rubber mount ring will take up some.   Put your hand in the tank on the pump mount and you'll see what I'm talking about.  Just as Bar End Weights reduce Handle Bar vibration.

I realized this yesterday when i removed the fuel pump that they were vibration dampers. It makes more sense.

[rkildu]

I vote for vibration damping and to protect the side of the tank from wear and possible leak.

A couple years ago I flushed my tank as part of winter maintenance and a plastic piece fell out.  After some online research I found out that it goes between the fuel pump mount and the side of the tank.  It's a flattened "U" shape that just slips on the edge of the sheet metal mount edge.  There are two of them.  Oh yeah, one of them is a pain to get on too.  My wife had to do it,  my hand was too big.

Rod