I smell (and see) gas. Can't see where it's coming from.

[KenC]

I was driving a smelled gas. I pulled over, popped the hood and the smell got MUCH stronger. I smelled the fuel rail and it was really strong. Then I noticed a small puddle of liquid (it was gas) that had collected on one of the crannies of the intake manifold. I *think* one of my fuel injectors might be leaking it. I touched the one next to the puddle and it moved (it wasn't screwed in tight). How tight are the injectors supposed to be screwed into the manifold? Would this cause a lot of gas to leak if one was loose?

It's too dark to see exactly where the leak is coming from right now.

I hope this leak will explain my horrible gas milage (below 25mpg right now).

[Jordan]

Stop driving the car until you fix the issue Ken. I'm not joking. I've heard of soo many e30's that burned to the ground from fuel leaks in the engine bay.

check the orings, make sure the injectors are seated and secured right etc.

[KenC]

I'll check the O-rings tomorrow when I can see.

[325 eta]

in your engine bay check that little blue sensor. thats what was leaking gas in my car. you can see it in your sig. i dont know the name of it. sorry it fixed my gas smell

[M-technik-3]

Check the rubber fuel lines too. Don't drive it, I screamed at my wife the other day for doing the exact same thing except she drove it to the dealer to be fixed. Brave woman, or stupid? I married her sometimes I wonder, and it'll be 10 years next month.

Seriously gas will ignite on fumes, that is why it's so dangerous. It's flashpoint is lower than 86.8 degrees Celius. Low temp.

[KenC]

in your engine bay check that little blue sensor. thats what was leaking gas in my car. you can see it in your sig. i dont know the name of it. sorry it fixed my gas smell

Bingo! I just ran my finger under it and it reeked of gas.

Cold-Start Valve, correct? Why would it be leaking?

How hard was it to replace yours? Do you replace the whole thing that goes into the manifold?

Is the cold-start valve the same for all e30s?

I don't think it's the injectors, I just checked with a flashlight and it's dry as a bone around all of them.

[bimmerphile]

Just get under the car, and use a lighter or something to get a better peek at it.

[KenC]

Just get under the car, and use a lighter or something to get a better peek at it.

I have bad eyes, you'd better take a look for me. I have a butane torch if the lighter isn't bright enought.

[325 eta]

just the blue thing. plugs right out.

[KenC]

just the blue thing. plugs right out.

From what I can see, the blue thing is just the electrical connection to the cold-start valve. How could that leak? There isn't even a fuel line going to it.

[325 eta]

well mine had a crack by the metal clip, when i relpaced it. it fix my problem

[matt325is]

The blue thing is a cold start injector, not the ICV. The cold start injector injects fuel to enrich the mixture during cold starts, to warm up the car faster. Sounds like it could be the candidate for the leak.

matt

[KenC]

well mine had a crack by the metal clip, when i relpaced it. it fix my problem

So you just replaced the electrical plug?

[KenC]

The blue thing is a cold start injector, not the ICV. The cold start injector injects fuel to enrich the mixture during cold starts, to warm up the car faster. Sounds like it could be the candidate for the leak.

matt

Nobody said it was the ICV, LOL.

Where would it be leaking from? Is there an O-ring seal on it or something?

[matt325is]

Well, the blue thing is the electrical connector for teh cold start injector. The injector where it seals to the intake manifold or at line leading into the injector.

matt