E36 M3 Fuel Smell

[V'NOLAN]

So I've always had a fuel smell in the car and decided to get this checked out while on holiday.

Ive heard good stories about Sa auto tech in Kzn and sent my car there. I was told fuel was leaking from the throttle seals and gave the go ahead to get them replaced.

My idle used to always fluctuate around 1000rmp. After the seals change my idle sits constantly at 2000rpm, fuel smell is stronger and the car is a lot less responsive.

Could it be that the car was more responsive because it was over fuelling and the strong fuel smell & high idle be caused by the car needing a setup after the seals change?

 

[boost3d]

Remove the rear bench seat section and check if the clamps on your fuel pump are fine( thats what i did when i started to get a fuel smell in the cabin of my car) ....its a common issue on the car and a cheap fix

 

[moranor@axis]

sounds like they did not fix the problem and the new parts made it worse...

 

[ClassicB]

Is your accelerator pedal "sticky"?
Might also be that your Idle control valve may need cleaning. Also try switching your airflow meter with your uncles one and see if that sorts the idle problem.

If you dont come right you can try my AFM the next time I am fourways.

 

[Peter@AEW]

Throttle fuel seals.......what is that?
Did they read for codes?

All likelyhood requires fuel vent valve and resetting of adaptations as well as fixing what Autotech botched up.

I am somewhat surprised that you live in Fourways yet take your car to KZN for repairs?
What comeback do you have?

Other than Axis in Sandton you have Gizmo in Alberton and Racing Snake in Benoni all forum members and all people who cannot afford their reputation tarnished......so with respect I ask again why a KZN workshop?

just my 0.02c worth

 

[Prev]

Remove the rear bench seat section and check if the clamps on your fuel pump are fine( thats what i did when i started to get a fuel smell in the cabin of my car) ....its a common issue on the car and a cheap fix

+1......experienced the same and would start here. Then work you way from the pump to the front checking the clamps on the fuel filter and main feed to the fuel rail. However if you say that you are getting the smell in the cabin, the likelihood is that the problem is under the back seat.

You may want to heed a1exender's advice on trying the resident forum and JHB based service providers :thumbs:

 

[DROP IT - ZN]

Also experienced the fuel smell and the fault was under the seat, the rings that screw on the pump was broken

 

[Dbn540i]

Guys another example of the rip off 'professionals' in Durban.

FYI i live in Durban.:roflol:

 

[DROP IT - ZN]

Guys another example of the rip off 'professionals' in Durban.

FYI i live in Durban.:roflol:

There are a few trusted mechanics that actually know what they doing, but sadly i have to emphasise the word few

 

[Dbn540i]

Guys another example of the rip off 'professionals' in Durban.

FYI i live in Durban.:roflol:

There are a few trusted mechanics that actually know what they doing, but sadly i have to emphasise the word few

I found that out the hard way :thumbdo:

 

[Prev]

Guys another example of the rip off 'professionals' in Durban.

FYI i live in Durban.:roflol:

There are a few trusted mechanics that actually know what they doing, but sadly i have to emphasise the word few

I found that out the hard way :thumbdo:

I also experienced the same.......sad that we are so disadvantaged in Dbn

 

[V'NOLAN]

I checked the back seat and don't see any leaks.

The drive down to Durban was unbearable so i decided to get this checked out. I presumed it will be a quick fix only to discover not

Apparently they changed the seals on the throttles and my accelerator pedal seems fine but the power just isn't there

 

[444YYY]

Remove the rear bench seat section and check if the clamps on your fuel pump are fine( thats what i did when i started to get a fuel smell in the cabin of my car) ....its a common issue on the car and a cheap fix

+ 1
I have also experienced failure on those factory crimped clamps!!

 

[Thunder]

I`m with all of the above.

Just check the clamps on the hoses under your rear seat.

 

[Peter@AEW]

I checked the back seat and don't see any leaks.

The drive down to Durban was unbearable so i decided to get this checked out. I presumed it will be a quick fix only to discover not

Apparently they changed the seals on the throttles and my accelerator pedal seems fine but the power just isn't there

I remember the car now.

3,2 ECU with piggyback on a 3,0L motor and non M3 clocks.

Could not read with INPA and had very strong compression.

Could not get the fuel smell under idle inside or outside the car.......I still suspect fuel vent valve but not being able to read codes makes it a bit of guesswork.

 

[Gizmo]

Sounds like now the car is pulling in unmetered air and thats the reason for high idle and no power, they forgot to plug some pipe back in most probably.

 

[B16A4]

I checked the back seat and don't see any leaks.

The drive down to Durban was unbearable so i decided to get this checked out. I presumed it will be a quick fix only to discover not

Apparently they changed the seals on the throttles and my accelerator pedal seems fine but the power just isn't there

I remember the car now.

3,2 ECU with piggyback on a 3,0L motor and non M3 clocks.

Could not read with INPA and had very strong compression.

Could not get the fuel smell under idle inside or outside the car.......I still suspect fuel vent valve but not being able to read codes makes it a bit of guesswork.

from what alexander says i am starting to wonder if the car is really running nicely with such a setup unless he has 3.2 wiring, double vanos and all other ancilliaries. after all the physical inspection, getting a stock 3.0 ECU maybe the solution and then doing proper diagnostics my 2c.

 

[moranor@axis]

Sounds like now the car is pulling in unmetered air and thats the reason for high idle and no power, they forgot to plug some pipe back in most probably.

maybe they decided to do a seal delete :roflol:

Gizmo your theory makes the most sense to me so far on the power loss and Idle problem after the car was worked on

the other problems are probably brought in by the ECU setup I would get a 3.0 ECU and sell on the 3.2 after... it can only run better with the right one in place

 

[Prev]

Is the 3.2 ecu a straight swop with the 3.0 ecu? Thought they were not. I know the 3.0 uses a Bosch ecu and the 3.2 uses a Siemens ecu


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[V'NOLAN]

:argh: :argh::argh:

is it as simple as just plugging in a 3.0l ecu to test or is the harness completely different?

Also could the chip not be configured to over ride the 3.2 ecu?