Gas Leak Smell

[JinormusJ]

Problem:
Gas smell in cabin after e30 sits for long period of time

Status:
Wasnt bad at first, but is now officially annoying

Known factors:
1989 325is
Stock m20
Only smells after sitting, not while driving
Smell comes from engine bay primarily (running rich?)



What can be causing it? I'm going to lift out the back seat an check my filter gaskets and everything soon to eliminate possible problem areas. Anyone got any clue on where to even start..?

[CHIF8008]

if it smells when sitting i would say that the fuel is de-pressurizes itself from the system because you may have a leak with one of the hoses. id just do a visual check of all the fuel hoses in the bay while its running. fuel rail attachments ect...

my car always seemed to smell of gas when i would stop after i was driving. figured out that i smelled gas because my "security door" in my gas fill tube was broken off from someone stealing my gas. thus the fuel vapors leaked out from the vent pipe. my fiancee's e30 leaked at the back of the fuel rail. just a small tighetning up on the hose clamp and it fixed the problem

[ELVA164]

If you're sure it's from the engine bay then disregard this, but the fuel hoses just above the level sender under the rear seat are known to decay and can leak. You can see them here:

[JinormusJ]

Thanks for the input guys

I'll check all the potential problem areas and start eliminating factors as I check them. I'll probably start in the back at the fuel level sender cause I've heard that one more often and then work my way forward

[dnguyen1963]

Replace all your fuel hoses. They have been known to have many micro-cracks after some 20+ yrs on the road.

[JinormusJ]

Checked fuel filter area; did not see leaks, but there seemed to have been moisture buildup on and around the gas tank/foam on the fuel level cap (the one that goes over the hole).

The paint on the gas tank has also seemed to have been peeling, possibly because of the gas leak?

The engine seems fine, but I can still smell the faint puffs of fumes from the engine as well, and after allowing to sit after running, there is a buildup of fumes in the bay

[ELVA164]

The paint on the gas tank has also seemed to have been peeling, possibly because of the gas leak?

Yes. Also, pay attention to the seal around the level sender/pump unit itself, because that may not be completely sealing. As far as the smell in the engine bay, I agree with everyone else: replace everything because it's more than likely dry and cracked.