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  #1  
Old 06-09-2013, 08:38 PM
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Trail of gas and cabin smells of gas

Greetings fine people of Xoutpost,

I come to you at the grand odometer reading of 248,100 kM

This afternoon I've come to find the car reeking of gasoline smell. Upon later inspection, and after moving the car, there was a trail of gas coming from the car. Left side.

This trail of gas comes from here:

http://i.imgur.com/oQ3Ktyn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MbmqWjR.jpg

Is there a mechanic's bulletin that I can use to diagnose this issue and fix it?

The car seems to leak more when actually turned on. So I am uneasy about taking it to my mechanic with this issue. I will get an estimate on a tow.. But it seems rather wasteful.

I appreciate any & all advice.

Thank you.
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Old 06-09-2013, 11:32 PM
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Searched the boards and the internet.. nothing like it.

On the web there was a report of gas tank leaks. But I don't know if I'm looking at the tank here. Can someone link me how far the tank extends on the e53 3.0i ?
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Old 06-09-2013, 11:40 PM
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Left hand drive or Right Hand Drive? Was any worn done recently on the tank or the fuel pump?

In US cars, the fuel pump resides on the passenger side. If the locking collar on the pump assembly was ever removed or loosened and not tightened properly, this will cause fuel leaks - especially when the tank is full.

Also, in US cars, the Fuel Level sender is on the Driver's side - similar situation to the fuel pump. You also have hoses under there that could be brittle and leaking fuel.

The fact that it seems to leak more when the car is running is probably because once the pump is on and the engine is running - the fuel system is pressurized and that will create much more fuel flow. I would suggest getting under there to see if you can locate the source of the leak.
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Old 06-10-2013, 12:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AquilaBMW View Post
Left hand drive or Right Hand Drive? Was any worn done recently on the tank or the fuel pump?

In US cars, the fuel pump resides on the passenger side. If the locking collar on the pump assembly was ever removed or loosened and not tightened properly, this will cause fuel leaks - especially when the tank is full.

Also, in US cars, the Fuel Level sender is on the Driver's side - similar situation to the fuel pump. You also have hoses under there that could be brittle and leaking fuel.

The fact that it seems to leak more when the car is running is probably because once the pump is on and the engine is running - the fuel system is pressurized and that will create much more fuel flow. I would suggest getting under there to see if you can locate the source of the leak.
Hey Aquila BMW. Thank you for your response. I appreciate it more than you can fathom!

>Left hand drive or Right Hand Drive?
LHD

>Was any worn done recently on the tank or the fuel pump?
No. But the car has had the engine light on for a while. I think for a minor thing that my mechanic said he will replace on the next check up. (forgot to ask him what!)

>Also, in US cars, the Fuel Level sender is on the Driver's side - similar situation to the fuel pump. You also have hoses under there that could be brittle and leaking fuel.
Hmm interesting. Could you link me to a website that shows how to get to it? It seems like the only other problem I found which was similar was in relation to rust developing on the neck of the gas tank where the tube is inserted for fuelling the vehicle.
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Old 06-10-2013, 12:17 AM
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There is a fuel level sender on each side, left and right, since it is a saddle tank. The pump is integrated into the right side sender unit. There are hoses and fittings that can leak with age.

You should be able to see them under the access hatches under the rear seat, one each side.

Agree with Aquila that the leak is most likely on the outlet side of the pump, either at the pump or at the filter, which is just after the pump.
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Old 06-10-2013, 01:23 AM
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how about the fuel filter hoses? i thought the filter is on the left side of the car, between the doors area - is it not?

is the leak actually visible where it is coming from? are you able to narrow down the loaction of the leak by looking at the bottom of the car?
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Old 06-10-2013, 10:46 AM
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Ditto with checking the fuel filter/fuel lines & connections. As you can see in the two diagrams below...the lines from the fuel filter that feed up to the engine run along the left side of the vehicle...along the route that you took pics of:

(#1 is the fuel filter/pressure regulator & #3 & #4 are the rear/front fuel feed lines that run along the left side of the vehicle)




(in this diagram below, you can see how the fuel filter/pressure regulator is in relations to the fuel tank (#1 in diagram below)

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Old 06-10-2013, 11:33 AM
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Definitely don't drive it. Gasoline leaks are dangerous, especially with the risk of it splashing onto your hot exhaust.
Not as big a deal if it was diesel, other than polluting...
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Old 06-10-2013, 02:15 PM
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If I were to guess based on those pictures, I would be checking the lines to and from the Fuel Filter and the downward lines coming from the fuel tank. I have seen instances on 740s and 540s where there feed lines from the tank got brittle, especially around the clamps and would leak fuel - especially when cold.
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Old 06-11-2019, 05:12 PM
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This happened to me today in my 4.6is 2003. Smell of fuel and then within about 5 -10 of driving loss of power, no response to the throttle and then just dies. Just made it to a parking lot of supermarket. Fuel pouring out of the middle bottom part. Now too dark to see.
Will have it towed to a garage tomorrow...unless anyone know the diameter of the fuel line for a temporary fix to make it home or to a garage. Like 5 minutes drive or so...
Hope no one gets any smart ideas about the fuel...
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