2004 R50 with 200k plus miles. We've had it about a month, slowly fixing little things on it. One of the things we've noticed is a fuel smell inside and outside the car after filling it up. Here's what I'm considering fixing/replacing (trying to go from cheap fixes to expensive ones).

1. Replace the purge valved under the hood. From reading the forums, that can cause an overall smell of fuel in the car.
2. Looks like a factory gas cap and seems to seal. Only had the "check cap" light once on the car
3. With 200k miles, I'm thinking the filler neck may have begun to leak. Anyone know if you can just buy the rubber hose from the neck to the tank or do you have to buy the whole assembly? Second question, how different is an R50 v. an R53? The local junkyard has a lower mileage R53 I could get the entire neck assembly from.
4. We pulled the fuel pump cover under the drivers side rear seat and the smell was much stronger. Could it just be a leaking seal? I noticed that if I pushed on the pump, it moved a creaked a bit. I'm wondering if it's not tight or not sealed well? Looks like the ring has been removed at some point, not sure if the pump was replaced. Thought the movement seemed odd, but might be normal for "give" as the car moves. Pushing down it'll depress about 1/8 to 1/4" inch.
5. What else should I look for? Might also be the emissions charcoal canister, but at $200+ bucks, I'll replace that last.

Thanks.


-Rob

 

Moving you to the Stock Problems/Issues area.

If you can smell inside, would think it is around the fuel filter. Have you jacked the car up, pulled the driver side rear wheel and checked the hose clamps from the fuel door down to the tank??

 

I had this same situation, but with my 2006 BMW. Like the Mini, the BMW has its fuel filter and fuel pump under the rear seat. Yep, the fuel filter was leaking. Replaced it, and put in a new fuel pump, and all is good.

 

If you had the filter housing or the pump housing out of the tank I would be willing to bet your smell is due to the gasket not being properly seated. It's a finicky fit if you're not careful.