Gas smell

Just picked up a 1994 325ic with 82000 miles for the wife. Just a few issues I need to deal with. The first one is there seems to be a strong gasoline smell in the garage after filling up the tank (btw it's $3.35 a gallon out in Cali right now... ouch). There is no fluid leaking from the car at all. Anybody have any ideas on where I should start looking ?

If your not detecting any fluid leakage then there are only a few other places the vapors could be escaping.

1) Make sure the seals on the inside of the gas cap are still intact. The tend to deteriorate w/ age thanks to all the chemicals in the gasoline

2) Charcoal Canister - The charcan is located in the engine bay under the stock air box. It's job is to treat and dissipate the vapors from the fuel tank. If the cannister has worn out, or the lines running to the can have become detached or developed leaks/cracks the vapors will escape unfiltered resulting in the gas smell you described.

Start there.

My '94 325is has developed the exact same problem. I've done a little research and narrowed the cause to the fuel sending unit. If you take out the rear seat (the bottom cushion just snaps in place) you will find two access panels for the fuel sending unit and the fuel level sensor. Take those off and examine the caps, seals, and hoses. I think that the cap for my fuel sending unit is actually cracked around a connector that plugs in there. I am giong to replace the unit and seal and see what happens.


A little research:

How-To: Fuel Pump Replacement
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...-Fuel-Pump.htm

European Car Tech Letter "E36 Fuel Leak"
http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/t...techletters02/