I've been smelling gas fumes outside my 2013 Cooper S for a several months now, got a lot worse this summer and then Friday I found a massive puddle of fuel under my car.


The leak appears to be on the right/passenger side coming down off the tank, I added a video shot from the side of the car for reference. Only leaks while the engine is running (does it at idle and while moving). The only error codes that have popped up in the last year or so were related to the turbo under load (2C57 & 2C91). The only theory suggested so far is sinking suspension (my bad didn't even think to replace that) finally wore down and broke a fuel line, but with this I would think I'd start throwing codes? Planning to do more digging into the car after Monday, but before I take it to the only mechanic within 150mi that will work on mini's does anyone have any ideas as to the cause?


I'm picking up a new (to me) 2014 Cooper S on Monday so I'll be able to actually troubleshoot the problem further on my own at that point. Just wondering if anyone has come across this and has any pointers for me.

 

I wasn't able to look at the video on my phone, sorry.

Last year, I had a small fuel leak, started smelling fuel. Did some research online, and a few people had failing seals on their in-tank pump. I took off the rear seat lower pad, there are two access ports to get to the fuel pump and filter. The one on the passenger side (US) is where the fuel pump is, and there was evidence of a leak, as there was fuel present around it.

My 2010 R56 S had 140k when this happened, so I decided to change the filter and replace the whole fuel pump assembly, I was worried I might damage the plastic getting it out.




Photos from when I looked to see if the source of the fuel leak was coming from the pump. From below the car, it was dripping down from somewhere on the top of the tank, on the passenger side. Replacing the assembly fixed my fuel leak problem. Sounds like your leak is in a similar location, I suggest you pop off that rear seat pad, remove the passenger side access cover, and take a look at the top of the in-tank pump assembly, see if there is fuel present.