[MrModus]

Hi There,

I recently purchased a 2018 530e with the M Sport package. I've noticed that often when I'm not running in pure electric mode I can smell a gasoline smell inside the cabin. Most often it's noticeable when I've come to a stop or completed by drive and parked it.

Has anyone experienced this before? I'm only just out of warranty I believe.

Thanks

[CnSky]

As Max e drive also affects the air conditioning system (turns off the compressor I believe)please try switching off the aircon system button on bottom right of control panel and driving with sport mode engaged to force the engine on and see if the Gas smell goes away? Also try with recirc mode on or off.

If it does go away when aircon is off I bet you have an issue with the Aircon system taking in exhausted gasses or smells from under the hood, likely a cracked or disconnected inlet pipe or something.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by CnSky

As Max e drive also affects the air conditioning system (turns off the compressor I believe)please try switching off the aircon system button on bottom right of control panel and driving with sport mode engaged to force the engine on and see if the Gas smell goes away? Also try with recirc mode on or off.

If it does go away when aircon is off I bet you have an issue with the Aircon system taking in exhausted gasses or smells from under the hood, likely a cracked or disconnected inlet pipe or something.

Sounds like good advice. My 2018 530e has no such smell.

[MrModus]

Originally Posted by CnSky

As Max e drive also affects the air conditioning system (turns off the compressor I believe)please try switching off the aircon system button on bottom right of control panel and driving with sport mode engaged to force the engine on and see if the Gas smell goes away? Also try with recirc mode on or off.

If it does go away when aircon is off I bet you have an issue with the Aircon system taking in exhausted gasses or smells from under the hood, likely a cracked or disconnected inlet pipe or something.

Hello all,

Sorry for the delay. I've been away for a bit and haven't been driving. I did as suggested and yes, I notice the smell does not happen with the aircon system off. As soon as I turn it on I get an immediate whiff of gas. I find I get it most when the engine first turns on or when it turns off, for instance at a stop light. I don't tend to notice it just during normal driving.

So assuming this is a cracked or disconnected inlet pipe, does it make sense that I'd smell gas at all? This doesn't smell like combustion smells, it smells like raw gas, which I've never smelled before under the hood of my 06 combustion engine. It smells like a gas leak. Am I maybe looking at multiple problems here?

Thanks,

Mike

[CnSky]

I suspect just a fuel leak somewhere as the air under the hood would be pulled into the aircon system and if it contains gas vapour you will get the smell.

The fact it happens in start and shutdown mainly would indicate it's drawing the fumes in when your not driving fast. Do you experience same when driving on highway?

Could also be a leaking exhaust joint or exhaust manifold letting exhaust enter the aircon system.

[MrModus]

Yeah I don't really notice it when on the highway. It's not particularly easy to pin point exactly when I smell it. I wouldn't say a definitive no, that it doesn't happen on the highway, but just that it seems to happen more noticeably on start/stop. I've only had the car (used) for one month so it hasn't really had a whole lot of driving.

[MrModus]

I just went for another drive and definitely see a difference when the aircon is in recirc mode. I don't really smell anything. When not in recirc it's much more noticeable.

[LogicalApex]

I don't smell gas in my car at all under any circumstances.

I would get it to BMW and let them sort it out. Do you still have any warranty left? I have no idea what the warranty situation is like in Canada, but in the US you would still likely be under warranty on this issue either via the Federal Emissions control or for CARB states the CARB warranty that hits for up to 15Y.

[MrModus]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

I don't smell gas in my car at all under any circumstances.

I would get it to BMW and let them sort it out. Do you still have any warranty left? I have no idea what the warranty situation is like in Canada, but in the US you would still likely be under warranty on this issue either via the Federal Emissions control or for CARB states the CARB warranty that hits for up to 15Y.

Hi there. No, warranty expired May of this year. I don't really know anything about any other protection. I'm taking it back to the dealer to check it out. It's not a BMW dealer. I'll do that if these guys can't figure it out.

[CnSky]

I suspect it's just a leaky exhaust manifold or a exhaust joint under the hood that is loose.

You could remove the engine cover and manifold cover (easy) wrap the manifold with a white cloth and same at each joint in the system including turbo and start the car, give it a few good revs and then turn off before things get hot.( don't want any the cloth bursting into flames)

If any joint is leaking the white cloths will have deposits on it. Could just be a loose bolt or clamp.

I would start up front as I don't see how anything outside of under the hood could be getting pulled into the aircon system.

My only concern is your turbo could be leaking as it is receiving exhaust gasses also.

Outside of that it could be a fuel leak.

My advice is forego BMW if your out of warranty this should be an easy thing to identify for any Indy garage. Then at least you know what it is and if they can't repair it your not wasting expensive man hours at BMW identifying the issue.

See image below of exhaust manifold and turbo and the inlet charge air system they are very close.

Also the aircon system takes air from the inlet's under the windscreen I believe so if their is a fuel/exhaust leak under the hood and air is coming in through the front kidney grills it will force the fuel vapour back to the inlet grills.

[MrModus]

That's great advice, thank you.

[MrModus]

A bit of a follow up on this. Sorry it took so long.

I took it back to the used car dealer, they did diagnostics on it and ended up replacing a fuel pump gasket and bolts. It made an immediate difference, however after a few weeks I still notice some smell when I'm driving it in combustion mode. I'm going to take it back to them again and let them do additional diagnostics.

Stay tuned.

[CnSky]

Thank for the update I'd say the bolts need to be re torqued after a few weeks, probably a small fuel seep still happening.