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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > N47 and N57 Turbodiesel Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > Fuel smell from driver-rear area
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      07-27-2021, 12:23 PM   #1
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Fuel smell from driver-rear area

Over the past year I've noticed a faint fuel-like smell coming from the driver-rear wheel well. I never could figure out where it came from, but it always comes back every so often. About 8 months ago, the dealer had a look around the fuel tank as well and found no leaks.

I came across an old issue on the F30 that is apparently common. The location is approximately the same place where I smell the odor. Is such a leak possible on the diesel LCI F31?

If so, I guess the dealer couldnt see the leak without dropping the tank. Is there enough space on the top side of the tank to wiggle a endoscope to that area without dropping the tank itself? Was planning to take a few pics and if there is a leak, get it fixed under warranty.
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      08-02-2021, 11:40 AM   #2
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I lifted up the car, removed the underbody paneling covering the driver-side of the tank. It looks clean, but there is still a faint fuel-like smell coming from the fuel line area. Couldn't get a clear view of the top side of the tank from the endoscope. Smells a bit different than the diesel from the filler neck that's for sure.




Also while I had the car up on the air, I had a look at everything else and found out the panel covering the fuel filter is damaged. Last touched by an indy shop when the fuel filer was replaced.
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      08-02-2021, 12:25 PM   #3
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While I think it takes very little diesel to produce a smell to a good nose (think fuel filter spills, fuel cap droplets, etc), I am curious of your findings. Mine has a mild smell here and there, but I found no leaks.
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      08-02-2021, 04:27 PM   #4
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Fuel filter is also on that location.
it's at the middle of the car left side, after you remove the under tray.
Perhaps that has some (old) diesel (... or the tray itself) that has some blow by of air.
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      08-07-2021, 11:00 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikej0h View Post
Fuel filter is also on that location.
it's at the middle of the car left side, after you remove the under tray.
Perhaps that has some (old) diesel (... or the tray itself) that has some blow by of air.
I put the car up in the air again and looked around the fuel filter, it looks clean:



I pulled the rear-driver wheel and took a more in-depth sniff test and it's definitely coming from this area near the rear subframe mount. Brake lines look clean and the bleeder valve is clean too:


I took a clean rag and wiped the fuel tank where I could, all that came off was just dust. I'm more perplexed by this every time I look into it.

On another note, that indy shop must have lost a few screws when they took off the splash shield for the fuel filter change, as I found two of these silver ones holding it up. Thankfully, I have a few proper spares to put back in.
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      08-07-2021, 11:18 PM   #6
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Does this help?

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      08-22-2021, 12:52 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BurrNinja View Post
Does this help?

Not quite, that video is how I ended up in this rabbit hole.

I wanted to see if there was a way to see if the tank was leaking without dropping the tank itself. I've since learned it's impossible, but I've also tore deep enough into the car to think the smell isnt coming from the tank. I took off the wheel and did another sniff test and it's almost as if the smell is coming from the wheel arch liner.
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