fuel smell after valve cover gasket replacement

335xi Kevo · 02-02-2012, 09:18 PM

Hey guys,

Just had my valve cover gasket replaced under CPO and have a strong fuel smell post fix. While @ idle it pours in through the vents

. What do you think the issue is?? I am VERY mechanically inclined and do 100 percent of my own work but with a CPO I dont bother. Ive replaced timing belts on b7 audi's, full nose removals etc. Big turbos on VW's etc.

Im thinking cross threaded fuel lines, or bad pcv connections, never the less, Im seeking my co-pay reimbursed. WTF makes me mad, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Ohh, and I had to take a rental, the tech snapped a "nipple" leading to the turbo(s) "reason for the rental."

JamesM3M5 · 02-02-2012, 09:33 PM

The #1 source of fuel smell is spilled fuel. I'd guess there's a fuel leak somewhere in the engine area.

335xi Kevo · 02-02-2012, 09:36 PM

yea my guess as well ran it hot, WOT to try and burn off residual leaks. Still present! Back to the stealership >:-|

JamesM3M5 · 02-02-2012, 09:39 PM

Don't mind that guy, he's just trying to be a smartass.

Sounds like the tech forgot to tighten a flare nut. They don't cross thread without really trying hard to screw it up.

Turkeybaster115 · 02-02-2012, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335xi Kevo

Hey guys,

Just had my valve cover gasket replaced under CPO and have a strong fuel smell post fix. While @ idle it pours in through the vents

. What do you think the issue is?? I am VERY mechanically inclined and do 100 percent of my own work but with a CPO I dont bother. Ive replaced timing belts on b7 audi's, full nose removals etc. Big turbos on VW's etc.

Im thinking cross threaded fuel lines, or bad pcv connections, never the less, Im seeking my co-pay reimbursed. WTF makes me mad, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Ohh, and I had to take a rental, the tech snapped a "nipple" leading to the turbo(s) "reason for the rental."

How many miles on your car, and what were your symptoms before you replaced the valve cover gasket? Any visible oil puddles, underneath the car? Lastly, how many hours labor did the dealership spend on the fix?

335xi Kevo · 02-02-2012, 10:18 PM

72k swapped the plugs. cylinder 3 plug well was full of oil. The print out didnt quote hours.

vasillalov · 02-02-2012, 11:48 PM

Make sure all of the fuel lines from the fuel rail to the injectors are tight.

335xi Kevo · 02-03-2012, 09:06 PM

ended up being a bad fuel line to injector #1 but now my cowl micro filter holes are striped

JamesM3M5 · 02-04-2012, 11:01 AM

Sloppy tech. Didn't check for leaks, stripped screw threads in the plastic cowl... Ugh.

irishT · 03-05-2021, 07:48 PM

i have the same issue checking the threading just saved a novice like me some anxiety.... thank you

Gregrobin · 03-06-2021, 02:03 PM

6 of 8 of the cowl screws are stripped on my new to me 08 335i. I assume mechanics before me did this. Tabs are cracked off as well. I replaced the screws with oversized ones, worked good.

02-02-2012, 09:18 PM	#1
335xi Kevo Lieutenant 26 Rep 497 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: CT iTrader: (3)	fuel smell after valve cover gasket replacement Hey guys, Just had my valve cover gasket replaced under CPO and have a strong fuel smell post fix. While @ idle it pours in through the vents . What do you think the issue is?? I am VERY mechanically inclined and do 100 percent of my own work but with a CPO I dont bother. Ive replaced timing belts on b7 audi's, full nose removals etc. Big turbos on VW's etc. Im thinking cross threaded fuel lines, or bad pcv connections, never the less, Im seeking my co-pay reimbursed. WTF makes me mad, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Ohh, and I had to take a rental, the tech snapped a "nipple" leading to the turbo(s) "reason for the rental." __________________ 08' 335xi 6MT Space Metallic Grey Premium, Nav, Cold weather, Sport Procede 2.5, DCI, Forge DV, PWM, Scoops, KW V1, ETS 5" FMIC, VRSF Downpipes, M3 Skirts
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02-02-2012, 09:33 PM	#2
JamesM3M5 Some dude 92 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	The #1 source of fuel smell is spilled fuel. I'd guess there's a fuel leak somewhere in the engine area. __________________ RRT E92 335i/6MT with stuff and things
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02-02-2012, 09:36 PM	#3
335xi Kevo Lieutenant 26 Rep 497 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: CT iTrader: (3)	yea my guess as well ran it hot, WOT to try and burn off residual leaks. Still present! Back to the stealership >:-\| __________________ 08' 335xi 6MT Space Metallic Grey Premium, Nav, Cold weather, Sport Procede 2.5, DCI, Forge DV, PWM, Scoops, KW V1, ETS 5" FMIC, VRSF Downpipes, M3 Skirts
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02-02-2012, 09:39 PM	#4
JamesM3M5 Some dude 92 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Don't mind that guy, he's just trying to be a smartass. Sounds like the tech forgot to tighten a flare nut. They don't cross thread without really trying hard to screw it up. __________________ RRT E92 335i/6MT with stuff and things
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2012, 10:18 PM	#6
335xi Kevo Lieutenant 26 Rep 497 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: CT iTrader: (3)	72k swapped the plugs. cylinder 3 plug well was full of oil. The print out didnt quote hours. __________________ 08' 335xi 6MT Space Metallic Grey Premium, Nav, Cold weather, Sport Procede 2.5, DCI, Forge DV, PWM, Scoops, KW V1, ETS 5" FMIC, VRSF Downpipes, M3 Skirts
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02-02-2012, 11:48 PM	#7
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose 1130 Rep 5,404 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Sedan, 2023 M3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5) Garage List 2023 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 335i E90 [8.00]	Make sure all of the fuel lines from the fuel rail to the injectors are tight. __________________
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02-03-2012, 09:06 PM	#8
335xi Kevo Lieutenant 26 Rep 497 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: CT iTrader: (3)	ended up being a bad fuel line to injector #1 but now my cowl micro filter holes are striped __________________ 08' 335xi 6MT Space Metallic Grey Premium, Nav, Cold weather, Sport Procede 2.5, DCI, Forge DV, PWM, Scoops, KW V1, ETS 5" FMIC, VRSF Downpipes, M3 Skirts
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-04-2012, 11:01 AM	#9
JamesM3M5 Some dude 92 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Sloppy tech. Didn't check for leaks, stripped screw threads in the plastic cowl... Ugh. __________________ RRT E92 335i/6MT with stuff and things
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2021, 07:48 PM	#10
irishT Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: San Antonio Texas iTrader: (0)	i have the same issue checking the threading just saved a novice like me some anxiety.... thank you
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03-06-2021, 02:03 PM	#11
Gregrobin Captain 580 Rep 603 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 335i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Vir ginny ya iTrader: (0)	6 of 8 of the cowl screws are stripped on my new to me 08 335i. I assume mechanics before me did this. Tabs are cracked off as well. I replaced the screws with oversized ones, worked good. __________________ VRSF Performance Intake Kit / XS Power Charge Pipe V2 / ARM 5" Intercooler FMIC / MHD Stage 2 V10 / FTP N54 PCV Valve / VRSF 3" Catless Downpipes / xHP Stage 1
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