2013 X5 35i Premium - Strong Gasoline Odor
 

I posted an issue similar to the one reported by JDFSU on the E53 forum this past October on Bimmerfest last month and wanted to find out if anyone else here has experienced this issue or if JDFSU was finally able to get this issue resolved which was reported on the E53 forum.

We recently purchased our first BMW, a 2013 X5 35i Premium. We took delivery of the car at the end of April. After having the car for almost three weeks, we noticed a strong gasoline odor once we parked in the garage. This occurred after having the car parked outside for about an hour and then driving a little over 10 miles to our home. Also, during the drive my wife switched from standard drive to sport mode (DS) then back to standard drive before we got home; we have been told that this should not have anything to do with this issue. It was a pretty hot day in southern Nevada with temperatures at or near 100 degrees. I called and spoke to a service advisor at the dealership where we got the car, and he indicated that this was normal when the temperatures were this high after I told him we did not top off our gas tank, which he indicated could be a possible cause. He said the odor had something to do with the fact the car had to relieve pressure from the fuel tank due to the high temperatures. We had a Lincoln Navigator before the X5, and we also have a Jaguar S-Type. I do not recall either vehicle having this issue.

Several people on Bimmerfest indicated this was not normal, and the next day I just spoke to the service director. He suggested we bring the car in to check for leaks and check the charcoal canister to make sure gas did not get into it. At this point, we have had the car at the dealership twice. They claim they have run every diagnostic test to check for leaks, and they also replaced the charcoal canister during the second trip to the dealership. They indicated the old charcoal canister weighed more than the new one which I understand means gas may have gotten into the filter which they acknowledged could have occurred when the car was prepped for delivery.

We are now scheduled to take the car back to the dealership for the third time tomorrow since we experienced the smell again in the late afternoon this past Friday when we had a high temperature well over 100 degrees, and the car was out for most of the day. The gas tank was between 3/4 full and full. Interestingly, we did not notice the smell after my wife filled up the tank the day before when temperatures were also over 100 degrees.

I would greatly appreciate any feedback regarding the issue above and if anyone else has experienced this issue in an area with 100 degree temperatures. Thank you!

Temperatures of 100F are not a reason to smell gasoline fumes in the vehicle.

Sport mode has nothing to do with it.

Overfilling the tank can cause this, since fuel is cool when it is stored underground and expands when it is in a tank in a higher ambient, but if you haven't just filled it that shouldn't be an issue.

Evaporative emissions (fumes from the tank) are a controlled emission, meaning that the vehicle has a vent system and charcoal canister designed to take in those fumes and not let them get to atmosphere. If that system isn't functioning correctly, or if there is a small leak somewhere in the fuel supply lines to the engine, you could have an odor of gas fumes.

If you continue to smell gas fumes, suggest you determine exactly when and how it happens, ie parked overnight in an enclosed space, or whatever. Then ask your dealer to replicate those conditions, at the dealership. At this point you aren't trying to diagnose it, you are trying to replicate the problem. Your goal is to have the dealer service manager nod and say yes, I smell it too. It isn't relevant that they haven't found a problem, if there is a problem they just haven't found it yet. The first step is to get them to agree that there is a problem.

It is possible that it isn't a gasoline smell. You have a new vehicle, and there are numerous things that get hot and burn off in the first short period of ownership, entirely normally. Some of those could be confused with a gasoline smell. Not saying you don't know what you are smelling, just that there are other possibilities.

Good luck, and let us know how it works out.

Where is the vapor canister on this truck?

Mine ended up being the right fuel pump had a hole from a melting harness on the top. Replaced under aftermarket warranty. Would have cost 1200 dollars otherwise. 700 dollars in labor and 400 dollars for parts and 100 bucks for tax. Its nice to have a fuel smell free garage!