Raw fuel smell

dwalker0614 · 03-17-2019, 08:56 PM

Recently purchased my 2014 X3 outside of the factory warranty and opted not to purchase the extended service plan being how confident I am in my maintenance/mechanic abilities. I'll add that the service records were up to date and all had been performed by the dealer at which I purchased the new ride for my wife. Now the issue, after the first fill up we noticed the smell of gasoline coming from the air vents, pretty heavy. I checked the fuel rails and did a visual around the engine compartment and couldn't smell any fuel there, then my nose drew me toward the fuel door area, where the smell was overpowering.

After removing the rear bench and checking around the fuel pump and sending unit there was no distinguishing smell or sign of cracks or leaks. The smell was still strong in the rear passenger wheel well. After the car sat overnight there was no smell any longer.

I drove around attempting to duplicate this and had a quick whiff of gasoline in the passenger compartment again coming from the air vents then it dissipated. I stopped and checked around the fuel door area again with no smell emitting from the area (fuel at half level now). Haven't filled up again for fear of the leak (vapor) reproducing itself.

Anyone experience this? Could it be the DMTL pump or charcoal canister? Maybe the filler neck?🥴

malicem3 · 03-17-2019, 09:24 PM

Hard to say. Has the car ever been involved in an accident?

Not heard of any issues with fuel outside of fuel injectors with the N55.

dwalker0614 · 03-17-2019, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malicem3

Hard to say. Has the car ever been involved in an accident?

Not heard of any issues with fuel outside of fuel injectors with the N55.

No reported accidents and no sign of any accidents. Ordered new wheel well trim clips and will pull the liner to inspect the filler neck and evap pump connections to make sure there are no loose hoses. Just odd the smell is coming from the AC vents with no smell of gas from the engine compartment.

GNX423 · 03-18-2019, 05:43 PM

I know when my x3 gets to about 1/4 tank I will smell fuel vapor briefly, almost like it purges or vents at that point, and then it goes away.

The first time it happened I thought it was another car in traffic, then the second time I noted the same fuel level.

Mike

96_Impreza · 03-20-2019, 11:25 PM

Were we still in the 20th Century I'd say carburetor float or float valve.
But, fortunately, we be in modern times.

03-17-2019, 08:56 PM	#1
dwalker0614 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2011 328i E90, 2014 X3 F25 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X3 [0.00]	Recently purchased my 2014 X3 outside of the factory warranty and opted not to purchase the extended service plan being how confident I am in my maintenance/mechanic abilities. I'll add that the service records were up to date and all had been performed by the dealer at which I purchased the new ride for my wife. Now the issue, after the first fill up we noticed the smell of gasoline coming from the air vents, pretty heavy. I checked the fuel rails and did a visual around the engine compartment and couldn't smell any fuel there, then my nose drew me toward the fuel door area, where the smell was overpowering. After removing the rear bench and checking around the fuel pump and sending unit there was no distinguishing smell or sign of cracks or leaks. The smell was still strong in the rear passenger wheel well. After the car sat overnight there was no smell any longer. I drove around attempting to duplicate this and had a quick whiff of gasoline in the passenger compartment again coming from the air vents then it dissipated. I stopped and checked around the fuel door area again with no smell emitting from the area (fuel at half level now). Haven't filled up again for fear of the leak (vapor) reproducing itself. Anyone experience this? Could it be the DMTL pump or charcoal canister? Maybe the filler neck?🥴
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03-17-2019, 09:24 PM	#2
malicem3 Second Lieutenant 39 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Denver, Colorado iTrader: (0)	Hard to say. Has the car ever been involved in an accident? Not heard of any issues with fuel outside of fuel injectors with the N55.
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03-18-2019, 05:43 PM	#4
GNX423 New Member 9 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 28xi Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (0)	I know when my x3 gets to about 1/4 tank I will smell fuel vapor briefly, almost like it purges or vents at that point, and then it goes away. The first time it happened I thought it was another car in traffic, then the second time I noted the same fuel level. Mike
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03-20-2019, 11:25 PM	#5
96_Impreza Private First Class 12 Rep 140 Posts Drives: 96 Impreza,07 Vette,11 X3 35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albuquerque iTrader: (0)	Were we still in the 20th Century I'd say carburetor float or float valve. But, fortunately, we be in modern times.
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