Strong Gasoline Odor in the trunk

[munchytii]

Do I have a Gasoline leak that I can't find?? The smell is worse at the trunk simply understandable since the tank is right there. But I also smell the gasoline in the car, just not as bad as the trunk. I've looked everywhere for a leak but I can't find one.........Maybe thats just how it is with an older vehicle. Please help. I don't want to start the car and explode like a car bomb in Iraq

[72BMW2002TII]

Maybe you need that rubber elbow thing the gas tank is connected to.

[ray_]

Well, check everywhere for leaks.

;-)

Ok, I'll try being more helpful... Check the vapor recovery lines to the small plastic tank on RS of the rear deck. Gas tanks rust at the seam also, look from under the car, esp if the smell is more prevalent when the tank is closer to full.

Check the rest of the lines, and for leaks at the fuel pump under the car.

Good luck,

Ray

[BarryA]

you may want to start by replacing all the rubber hoses - I had a persistant, strong gas smell in my 320 when I got it that was eliminated by replacing all the lines connecting the gas tank to the vapor recovery system (turned out most of the hoses were dried out and somewhat brittle, all of them had cracks and splitting at the ends, and I'd bet that they had hairline cracks in multiple places under the fabric covering).

If replacing the hoses doesn't do it, start checking the other stuff that's been mentioned - gas tank to filler elbow and vapor canister (look for hairline cracks in both), seepage around the seam in the gas tank, bad o-ring seal at the top of the sending unit - anywhere that's exposed to liquid gas or fuel vapors.

Won't hurt to check the plastic lines (supply and return) that run through the car's interior under the carpet, too - any cracks, kinks or cuts can result in small leaks and strong gas smell.

[munchytii]

ahhh yes.....it all makes sense now........Thank you so much for all the advice....time to rid of that gasoline stench.....will work on it tomorrow...thanks again..:-)

[munchytii]

Where on earth is Tianjin Ray??? We are neighbors and we don't even know it?? Thanks for the advice

[munchytii]

Come to think of it...I've owned the car forever and I've never ever replaced the soft lines....thats got to be it.........gotta be... gotta be...thanks for the idea....will probably change all the soft lines this weekend.....Hmmm I wonder how lengthy these hoses would be???

[ray_]

Where on earth is Tianjin Ray??? We are neighbors and we don't even know it?? Thanks for the advice

China of course! But the car is in Long Beach!

Cheers,

Ray

[ingraham]

Don't get all wound up over the plastic fuel return line. These seldom fail unless they've been physically damaged. If there is a leak, you will be able to see it. Start by filling the gas tank, removing the trunk floor, and very carefully examining the gas tank and everything related to it.

"Plastic" is not a dirty word. Plastic is the most appropriate material for many applications. A metal part is not necessarily better than the equivalent plastic part.

[Pinepig]

When I'm looking for leaks in a exaust system I usually stuff a rag wrapped around an air hose into the tail pipe and pass a lit cig around suspect places, where it glows there is the leak.

For obvious reasons this will not work for the fuel system, but start the same way and a spray with a solution of dishwashing soap and water will net the same results.