I’ve had a pretty bad fuel smell for months now on my 1990 850i, some days worst then others, and some no smell at all. BMW service looked at the car and told me they couldn’t find anything. I replaced the fuel pump and hoses around the fuel pump, fuel filters and hoses around the filters that didn’t help eider, I looked everywhere, under the passenger seat, in the engine bay, under the car with no luck,.
Last week on a hot sunny day I was on the traffic lights and literally seen gas fumes evaporating on front of my windscreen from the engine bay along with very strong fuel smell. That was it, I pulled up on the side of the road there and then, pup the bonnet up and keep the car running and finally there it was. Fuel was leaking from the fuel hose behind the engine coming from the intake manifold and into the firewall and under the car, so much so that I think I actually saw a drop. Now, this hose is right on top of the ignition wires and exhaust manifold (see pic). Very, very dangerous, red hot exhaust and spark from bad ignition wires, I was very lucky indeed, you get the picture.
When the car was not running there was no fuel leak. The engine needs to be on to create pressure.
Theo Hoffs mentioned this before on this forum, and I can not stress enough to all owners who’s car is older then 10 years to replace this hose. Cost $8.50 from your local auto shop and 10 min of your time. All you need is flat screwdriver, alto the hose clamps are pretty awkward to get to so if you have one of those screwdrivers that bend around corners will make your work much easier.
The old hose (see pic) had “BMW 03.09” written to it, meaning March 1990. My car was first sold April 1990 so this fuel hose is 16 years old. Now I want to replace all other fuel hoses and assume there is one of those on the other side of the engine but I can not see it or find it. If anyone knows where it is please let me know. My car is RHD but im sure isn’t much different to LHD.
Thank you for your attention
Zoran
1990 850i AU
