It happended yesterday after lunch whilst the engine was still warm. The smell faded as I drove it to a service station, fueled up, popped the bonnet (nothing amiss). Started up and voila! more gas smell from the vents.

She's at the dealer right now -- I'm thinking HPFP -- we'll see what the diagnosis turns out to be.

Meanwhile I'm in a Just-a-clubbie. Cavernous .
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
hello!
hello!
hello!

 

Well, that was fairly painless. The MINI is back from the dealership.
Parts list includes 1 HPFP, 3 Torx screws, fuel line, fittings.... all covered under warranty.

 

Awesome! Sounds like maybe a pinhole in a fuel line...all is good!

 

SA said one of the fittings was "seeping fuel". I had previously found a NAM thread where '07 MINIs were having this "smelling" problem only on warm re-starts. Otherwise the leaked fuel would dissipate while driving or evaporate by the time the engine cooled off. It was just a matter of happenstance that allowed me to detect it. I might have had a very bad day otherwise.

 

Ten days later and the symptoms are back. Appointment is tomorrow morning. Not happy, very worried.

 

Prob just a new tech worked on her the first time...new dealership, new techs.

Good vibes.

 

Thanks, hope so.

 

What I called a 'gas' smell, my passenger described as a 'chemical' smell. My SA says the fuel system is fine since the repair last week, but they poked around a found the battery was compromised (outgassing? leaking?) and it sits just above the cabin filter. So they cleaned the cabin filter, popped in a new battery, and held the MINI overnight for observation and relapse. Hope to get a call this morning.

 

I realize it's been a while, but was this issue ever resolved? I have a 2010 MCS with the same problem. Thanks.

 

Yup. The chemical smell was the battery. Replaced under warranty and all was fine after that.