i don't neccessarily mind it that much but my car does give off a pretty strong odor when it's first started. once it's warmed up i don't notice it as much. i'm more conerned about safety than anything else. (not in the mood for a car fire, y'know?)

i don't neccessarily mind it that much but my car does give off a pretty strong odor when it's first started. once it's warmed up i don't notice it as much. i'm more conerned about safety than anything else. (not in the mood for a car fire, y'know?)

how ironic... I just notice that smell in my car last weekend while driving after a cold start. I checked to see if there was any open lines but found nothing. This morning I couldn't smell it but I would sure like to know what it might be.

There are 8 rubber lines in an 850 engine compartment that after long use sweat gasoline when cold. The 2 behind the engine are supposed to be the worst for doing it.

There actually was a rash of fires about when I bought mine in 2003. Lots of ugly pictures of burned out 8s.

have the same smell in mine occationally.

I knew it was the fuel lines thet Terry mentioned, I plan to have all the engine compartment fuel lines replaced before it comes out of storage.

I had same issues too the rubber lines, they get dry and cracked with age. It gets worse - worth fixing now, it can impact a number of other expensive bits....trust me I am nealry 10k into this since the fuel smell set me to sorting it all out after ignoring it for tooooo long.

buy the new lines from BMW. I bought some cheap crap and they cracked and leaked within 2 months of being fitted.

There are 4 separate fuel hoses at the back of the engine. Two on top and two lower ones. There are some more at the front by the pressure regulators. I used to have the gas smell on very cold days. I also would get an occasional check engine light. One real cold day, I pop the hood and one of the upper hoses is gushing fuel boy was i shocked. I was very close to home about a mile away so i drove it,by the time i got to the driveway I popped the hood but there was no leak. The leak sealed itself as the engine compartment got warm. If you smell gas you have a leak and when it goes away its because the rubber expands and seals itself.

There are 4 separate fuel hoses at the back of the engine. Two on top and two lower ones. There are some more at the front by the pressure regulators. I used to have the gas smell on very cold days. I also would get an occasional check engine light. One real cold day, I pop the hood and one of the upper hoses is gushing fuel boy was i shocked. I was very close to home about a mile away so i drove it,by the time i got to the driveway I popped the hood but there was no leak. The leak sealed itself as the engine compartment got warm. If you smell gas you have a leak and when it goes away its because the rubber expands and seals itself.

...and once it catches fire, all you have to do is wait for the flames to go out!

ANY gas leak under the hood is very dangerous. My advice to you is to not let the hoses "seal themselves", but to spring for the $15 and replace the fuel line with new rubber from your BMW dealer (they have it in stock by the meter, you only need 1 meter to do all the ones up front).

There are 4 separate fuel hoses at the back of the engine. Two on top and two lower ones. There are some more at the front by the pressure regulators.

could you show me a pic of the engine and where these lines are? i'm not joking, i wouldn't know a fuel line from a brake line (well that, i would know) if it smacked me in the face! thanks!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/h/c/3.png

Mine has started smelling like a gas station inside the cabin as well. Only noticeable with HVAC on though. $$$$ :(

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/h/c/3.png

WHOAH, Michael! I appreciate the effort but.. i need a little bearing. would the upper left be near the firewall and the lower right near the front of the engine compartment? do you (or anyone else) possibly have a photograph of the lines in question "IN SITU"?

20/21/14/15/13 are all fuel rubber lines, Don't skimp with the bargain brand here, Get atlease 3 meters from the dealer approximately $20.00 a meter, It will be enough to do the lines exiting the fuel pumps as well, That's where some smell also occurs, Under the rear seat behind the 3 srewed on plates.

***Hose # 21,13 and 14 are normally the issue!*** Check the right top rear of the engine for any fuel droppings or swelling in the lines.

it's good to check the fuel lines , just in case. see if they are wet looking.
take off the noise cover and best the airfilter housing, too.
i would jump the fuel pump relays for a second or so to get pressure on the lines.
and then do your examination.
you could also run the car for a minute or so. but remember she's going to get crispy warm just where you are about to work.

if you have a vacuum pump then check the FUEL TANK BREATHER VALVE
mark the location of each valve , then take one out. i rigged up a power supply
clip just like the one on the harness.
with power supplied the valve needs to be able to hold vacuum.
if the valves are not working properly , they will cause that scent ,too

WHOAH, Michael! I appreciate the effort but.. i need a little bearing. would the upper left be near the firewall and the lower right near the front of the engine compartment? do you (or anyone else) possibly have a photograph of the lines in question "IN SITU"?

ok...let me see what i got
http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo208/bmdoublesyou/850partscar005-2.jpg
if you follow 13 + 14 further back you will notice a metal link, that is no.16 in the diagram and is really behind the driver side air intake and there
are two more hoses attached, which in return are attached to the firewall to the fuel line coming from the tank.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/h/c/3.png
if you follow the lines from under the fuel pressure regulator (fuel return lines) , no 19 and 20 in the picture, you will find another metal line under the pass side air intake just by the fuel rail. if you follow it back toward the firewall you will find another hose (no 21) which in real runs roward the passenger side behind the passenger side air intake.

That sounds like there's a few fires await'n.

Even though some owners and mechanics do change out old cracked fuel hoses as they are seen, these four specific hoses are hard to see if you don't know where to look. They are in a spot where they heat cycle quite a bit over the years. It's much easier to get to them when you take the cabin filter piece out (next to the wipers). Of course, it's even easier when the heads or the whole engine is out. :lol

I don't think you have to use the BMW hose since there are other high quality hoses out there, but you just can't go wrong if go with OEM.

For better illustration I added a couple of pics here.

Without the engine:
http://www.ruppelt-pdx.com/misc_pic/bmw/IMG_6105_fuel_line.jpg

With the engine in place:
http://www.ruppelt-pdx.com/misc_pic/bmw/IMG_002_fuel_line.jpg

Excellent photo, Thanks!

Thanks guys!!!!!

Cruppelt: the intakes in black look dope!

My 'cabin gas smells' came from a broken fuel pump carrier....it was a very STRONG smell.

i fixed mine a month ago. thanks to this forum's help i was able to replace it.

Cruppelt: the intakes in black look dope!

My 'cabin gas smells' came from a broken fuel pump carrier....it was a very STRONG smell.

dinan made some honed black intakes but they were black with silver writing

I had the same problem. However mine was a very short piece on the passenger side that connected two metal lines just under the fuel tank. Went to the dealership looking for the section, with no luck even finding it on the diagrams. So they sent me away with a length of line for free.. guess I can't argue.

Excellent photo, Thanks!

:up: ditto!

dinan made some honed black intakes but they were black with silver writing

Sick Puppy Motorwerks made a set just like that also...

replaced mine in October with the overhaul

Had this problem as well and replaced with new lines. Definitely something you don't want to let continue.

I found my leak in the driver side firewall just above the steering shaft. The smell is more pronounced when the engine is cold and that is where I'm able to see the gas seeping out. Also, don't forget to get new hose clamps as well.

Good idea to replace all the one's in that area since your in there, It's easier to Slice some of them off than crush the thin piping that they mount to if they appear stubborn!

well.... started 'er up cold, went and looked as directed and sure enough... one line at least (an upper line - upper driver's side) leaking like a sieve. after heating up... BAM no leak. i'm gonna have the lines replaced tommorrow. thanks again guys...!

anytime...

How do you get to the 2 lower fuel hoses with the engine in place. Pic from UZ4PLAY

i had the same smell. i found that it was coming from under the passenger back seat. when i popped the seat out i found both lines to the gas tank were old and cracked. replaced those and no more smell