strong fuel smell OSR wheel

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:51 am

I've got a strong fuel smell around the rear drivers side wheel, smells raw, not over powering but its there.

Its not coming from the filler cap, perhaps where the filler neck meets the fuel tank within the bodywork? Can this be fixed?

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:17 am

check were the filler neck meets to the tank this is a common rust spot

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:27 am

More likely the the breather pipes, where they meet the filler neck or the expansion tank.

In fact I'd go so far as to say that it will be the big braided breather that goes from the stub behind the filler cap to the top of the tank.

I/d is 14mm, practically impossible to buy anywhere except BMW but usually there is enough slack for the split ends to be trimmed and rejoined.

I had exactly this problem and the pipe was open about 75% of the way round, only just hanging on to the stub.

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:01 am

Filler necks quite commonly rot out - available secondhand but make sure its a good one.

Otherwise it could be the tank - which isnt a pleasant job to change

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:08 am

I'd back up clipper's points and add the O-ring that goes under the fuel pump. Mine had perished and was allowing fuel to leak out when the car was parked at an angle, so get on your hands and knees and look for obvious signs of leaking from above the stub pipe. If you don't see any, then follow clipper's advice.

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:19 am

Cheers guys, the smell seems to be a bit stronger when the car is running or for about15 mins after the car has run. Right now I haven't used the car today and there is no smell.

Will go out and have a look now.

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:55 am

Ok been just been out to investigate, this is what i've found. Gold star to clipper, it is indeed the breather pipe which is normally connected to the top of the filler neck. It appears to have the nipple of the filler neck in the breather pipe, its corroded right off. Half a pound of dry mud fell out too.

How do I fix it?? Can I patch the hole in the filler neck? Is the breather pipe needed??

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:11 am

The filler pipe is a separate unit from the fuel tank, and is only held in place at two mounting points. If you can source a second-hand replacement, it should be fairly easy to swap over with a basic set of spanners, rather than bodging the nipple back on with araldite.

Remember, it's fuel vapour you're dealing with, so it's worth doing properly.

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:13 am

Know what the part number is or where I can get it?

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:14 am

So you need a filler neck

Get the plastic arch liner out and get all the mud out properly.

You may find that the bracket that holds the neck in place had grotted out as have the back and top of the arch - very very common.

As the neck will need to be replaced anyway you should get this sorted at the same time

This was mine

Support bracket for neck - bolt had sheared and had to be drilled out and nut & Bolted

Holed behind filler neck - extremely common

Holed at top of inner arch by breather system - again very common

This is what you need to be looking for.

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:22 am

Wow dude, my car has no where near the level of corrosion yours does. Mine does not look like that at all.!

Apart from a bit on the very inner rear arches mine has no corrosion at all, I've been under a few time during oil changes, rear and front suspension bushes. Nothing to that extent.

I'm certain its the breather hose that has come off, again the car doesn't smell like fuel until its been on for 15 mins, I brimmed the tank yesterday and the smell was quite strong around that area as the fuel level was high in the tank.

Needs a new filler neck.!

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:24 am

mcbonio wrote:Know what the part number is or where I can get it?

Stick a Wanted ad in the appropriate section of the Zone. You can go to BMW and ask for part number 16111180956, but it'll set you back close to 200 quid.

And heed Rob's advice; mine had rotted in exactly the same places.

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:47 am

mcbonio wrote:Wow dude, my car has no where near the level of corrosion yours does. Mine does not look like that at all.!

Apart from a bit on the very inner rear arches mine has no corrosion at all, I've been under a few time during oil changes, rear and front suspension bushes. Nothing to that extent.

I'm certain its the breather hose that has come off, again the car doesn't smell like fuel until its been on for 15 mins, I brimmed the tank yesterday and the smell was quite strong around that area as the fuel level was high in the tank.

Needs a new filler neck.!

The problem with corrosion in these areas is that to the eye they look ok - its when you start prodding with a screwdriver it leads to tears

The top mounting points for the breather and filler neck are classic E30 grot-spots and you wont know about the bit behind the neck until you get it out.

Kedge thought his project was perfect around the filler neck bracket as it looked mint from inside the boot - until he poked it from the underside with a screwdriver.

IF its as solid as you say, at the very least remove all traces of mud and plaster it with waxoyl before you put the replacement neck in.

Also soak the bolt that holds the neck to the bracket in penetrating oil for several days before you try and undo it.

Good luck

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:13 pm

Cheers buddy,
Gotta love the folk on here they know e30s like the back of their hand.

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:23 pm

To be fair, I predicted that the rubber hose had corroded, not the metal stub on the filler neck.

That's the difference between Spain and the UK, my rubber pipes are all suffering whereas the car is 99% rust free.

If I showed you all photos of my filler pipe / rear arch etc you's be green with envy

I was disappointed to find that my fuel breather cover plate in the rear arch had lost some paint. In the UK you`re lucky if you even find the cover !!!

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:14 pm

Ok ok clipper rub it in. Lol

Just been on a quick errand when I got back the fuel smell was there. So I got under and scraped the crud off the pipe. Pipe under the car seems really good, But the filler neck where the breather hose connects Just behind the filler cap has a 1 inch hole in it.!! It was also wet as my tank is full and it must be sloshing up the neck a bit.

Gonna put a wanted ad in the wanted section for a new neck. Oh joy!

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:25 pm

The forum's favourite seller has got one........

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-GENUI ... 27c52cd674

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:39 pm

Ok few days to go, he has 2 actually, one in better nick than the other.

You think it will be ok to tape the whole up with gaffer tape for the time being? My tank is full and fuel is sloshing about and seems to be reaching the hole at the top of the neck. Smells raw.!

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:52 pm

NO !

The fuel fumes will disolve pretty much any temporory repair in minutes / seconds....

Maybe a fuel tank patch over the hole will stop fumes coming out of the filler neck, but you can't block the vent hose....

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:04 pm

Hmm halfrauds don't sell it. What about petro putty?

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 3:46 pm

I had my fuel filler neck powder coated

£20 + Post from the "spares shop" is a good price, these have been NLA From the dealer for some time.

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:03 pm

Still got 4 days left, reckon it will be nearer £200 when the auction is over?

Post Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:39 pm

I hope not.!

I've removed as much corrosion as I can and patched the hole in the top of the pipe with metal epoxy putty, seems to have made a very solid fix.

I'll still bid on the filler pipe as it need replacing, but my fix will work for now.