# Gas Smell

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/gas-smell/46234>\
**Category:** Power/Fuel\
**Tags:** bmw, gasoline, 325\
**Created:** [March 17, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gas-smell/46234 "2010-03-17T22:47:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Fritz\_Reese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6bbea6/32.png) [@Fritz\_Reese](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Fritz_Reese)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gas-smell/46234/1 "2010-03-17T22:47:19Z")

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I have a 1993 BMW 325i. I smell gas fumes while driving my car at low speeds or while sitting in the garage. It is also worse when the tank is full. I have replaced the charcoal canister, the gas line filter, gas cap. There is not gas leaking out of hoses anywhere. I as assuming it is a vent issue.

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**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gas-smell/46234/2 "2010-03-18T01:09:39Z")

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You may want to check the connection where the filler tube attaches to the tank for rust.

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gas-smell/46234/3 "2010-03-18T01:38:54Z")

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Also check for any break in the vent line from the tank to the charcoal canister. The line should be rubber from the tank connection to the steel hardline that runs to the engine compartment, then a rubber line to the canister. Also, check to see if the purge line is broken or connected improperly.

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gas-smell/46234/4 "2010-03-18T01:52:23Z")

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If the smell is more like vapor than raw gasoline, then the evap system is likely. But finding those leaks can be a nightmare. You might consider just taking it to someone for a smoke test.

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**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 12:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gas-smell/46234/5 "2010-03-18T12:22:11Z")

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The Top Of The Gas Tank Could Be Perforated. Often Dirt Traps Moisture Up There And Creates A Rust Breeding Playground.

CSA

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 12:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/gas-smell/46234/6 "2010-03-18T12:40:57Z")

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My first thoughts were along the same lines as those of common sense answer.  
This vehicle is now 17 years old, and there is a very strong possibility that there is rust damage to the top of the gas tank.

This type of problem is not uncommon in a car of that age–even on a Beemer.