E30 Zone

Hi
I have a 1990 316i and when i'm driving the car there are bursts of petrol smell coming through the air vents I dont think there is a major leak as i'm not losing noticable amounts of fuel but it stinks.

Any ideas of whats causing this or what the fix is..?

I notice when i'm fixing the slow puncture in my passenger side front wheel i can smell petrol here too..!!

Thanks

Rick

check the fuel pipes going from the fuel filter to the fuel rail, usual culprits and nice and cheap as a bonus!

When you replace these crank the motor over with fuse 11 removed first. This turns the fuel pump off so means there is slightly less fuel in the pipes.

Doea that car have a catalytic convertor, if so it could be the evaporative emission canister, this traps gasses evaporating in the fuel tank/system and burns them during driving. Check a bentley or Haines for its location as it differs from model to model. Normally only a charcoal filter to replace..

mrlee

Probably the fuel hoses. They are Ԛ£6 (ish) per metre from bMW. 2 metres is enough to do the whole car.

They are difficult to see, at the side of the engine. You may be able to see them better from under the car, looking up on the left hand side. Probably have to take the engine shield off though.

They also leak where there is a sharp bend, at the aft end of the fuel rail. Again, this is under the inlet manifold and is difficult to see. Might need to take the manifold off, although I think it could be done without.

There are some short ones at the back, near the fuel tank too. They tend to wear out quickly.