Fuel smell after putting fuel in

[Venom]

My 330ci gets a very strong fuel smell starting from the boot and then filtering into the cabin after putting fuel in. It does not matter how much I put in. I can fill up to quarter tank, half tank or full, the smell is the same. After 10-45 minutes, it goes away. Any suggestions?

 

[TheKing!]

Strange that it goes away. I had a problem with the rubber seal between the filler neck and the tank, after tightening that up it was OK.

Can you find any "wet" petrol spots on the floor to trace any leak?

 

[Venom]

It's no leak. There is nothing. The car is garaged and there is no smell of fuel in it. It is only after putting fresh fuel in. The smell is strongest in the boot. It's almost as though some fuel is seeping from the filler cap/funnel area into the boot. (I realise that this is not likely). The minute the cap is on and I am driving, the smell is strongest and then goes away. Everytime.

 

[Tlvivo]

I have the same issue - always wanted to know why?

 

[Hellas]

Just to revive the issue a bit. I found the same symptoms after I filled my Polo classic the other day, the smell were there, but also went away after a while, so it's firstly not a BMW issue and secondly nothing to be worried about then since the smell does go away. :thumbsup:

 

[Matt Q]

There are seals on the tank under the rear seats where the fuel pump goes into the tank.. thus the smell in the boot.

I would suggest removing the rear seat (very easy, just pull) and checking the plastic cover. If you can smell fuel there then you might have a seal issue around the fuel pump or something similar

Also.. when you fill the car are you putting the pump into the hole on the side of your car? I find that actually pouring the fuel INTO the car makes a big difference and ends up much cheaper. Since I read that unlike plants, the car doesn't enjoy being watered, I have cut my fuel costs by over 2000% and no longer have fires on the car when I throw spliffs out of the window. Now I only put fuel in the car and not all over it.

 

[Venom]

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=25573