Smell of fuel.

[BUG4LIFE]

Just a quick question before the end of the day.

When my 89 Motorsport cab is sat still, with the engine running; I get a strong smell of fuel. Other people of picked up on it too, outside of the car - anything to worry about or is this the norm?

I haven't noticed it when I'm on the move or sat in traffic - just on start up and when I'm parked.

Cheers for any help guys n girls.

[buster]

leaking from fuel tank ?? or filler neck,more common when full.Get on your hand s and knees next time you pull up and have a look

[SHAK]

Dude thats 1 PHAT engine in that car!!!!

Its probably the pipe that you put the fuel in to fill her up! my cab has same prob!

[JoeP]

Mine started doing this recently and I tracked it down to a loose hose near the front of the engine.

[Ziggy]

If it's not just when it's full, there's a pipe that runs from the fuel filter up under the intake manifold, to the fuel rail. It gets old & cracks.... Easy to replace though

[BUG4LIFE]

So I'm gonna be losing fuel then? Should I have a little puddle on the floor if there is something wrong?

When it comes to mechanics I aint got a clue - anything I can look at, even with my limited knowledge, that could tell me the problem?

[sheldo]

my last 325 sport had the same problem. i never see any fuel on the floor just a strong smell when stationary. It was the filler neck on the fuel tank, had it took off and welded up (not a massive job but quite common im told)

Also check your fuel lines for any fractures or cracks.

[JohnH]

So I'm gonna be losing fuel then? Should I have a little puddle on the floor if there is something wrong?

When it comes to mechanics I aint got a clue - anything I can look at, even with my limited knowledge, that could tell me the problem?

Not necessarily, I had that in the 316i and it was just a small crack in the pipe that was the cause.

[Cotty]

my last 325 sport had the same problem. i never see any fuel on the floor just a strong smell when stationary. It was the filler neck on the fuel tank, had it took off and welded up (not a massive job but quite common im told)

Also check your fuel lines for any fractures or cracks.

IS this after you have driven it.

I often get a fuel smell if I drive a short distance, leave the car for a bit then get back in. As an example I get it out the garage not having moved for a few days drive to the shops about 2 miles away, return to the car about 1/2 hour later and there will be a fuel smell.

I asked the garage to have a look and they cant find anything

[tylerma]

i had this problem on my cab

look by your starter see if its wet/damp
its probably the fuel hose that connects to the injector rail

you can buy repair kits from the dealers about Ԛ£4.50 each kit
you should replace both

[Cotty]

cheers ill have a look as it does worry me, although I have had her 3 years with no prob but dont want to come back one day to a shell

[mrLEE30]

Try checking the Evporated fumes control canister (called something like that anyway) on some models (think 89 included) there is a charcole canister that captures evaporated fumes from the tanks etc and burns them off in the exhaust manifold while the car is running. It is a cannister about the size of a tim of baked beans (large size!) and normally down near to the manifold area. The charcole filters the fumes but when they are old (as an 89 one will be) they need changing, as do the rubber pipes. Check a Hanes manual for a better description of where it is. not an expensive part and solved my fuel smell.

[Brianmoooore]

Try checking the Evporated fumes control canister (called something like that anyway) on some models (think 89 included) there is a charcole canister that captures evaporated fumes from the tanks etc and burns them off in the exhaust manifold while the car is running. It is a cannister about the size of a tim of baked beans (large size!) and normally down near to the manifold area. The charcole filters the fumes but when they are old (as an 89 one will be) they need changing, as do the rubber pipes. Check a Hanes manual for a better description of where it is. not an expensive part and solved my fuel smell.

Very few of us in the UK have those cannisters fitted. It's part of the emissions set up that we don't have.
I've seen them on later models but never on an E30, although very late versions may have them.
No, problem here is almost certainly porous rubber fuel hoses close to the engine.
GET IT SORTED, before one of them decides to spray petrol all over a hot engine.