Fuel smell, solved... dang. It's the fuel filler pipe

I guess this has been talked about in every car specific forum, but here I am again as I think this is a safety issue more than anything.

I was smelling fuel when I opened my window, and it got really bad, so I wanted to figure it out.

I first thought it was the fuel injector O ring, and it was actually leaking so I replaced them all, (even though 1 was craked, and it was definitely leaking).
Also I replaced all of the intake gaskets as they are known to fail. not that mine were bad, I wanted to chang them with the revised metal one on the bottom one anyway.

then I thought it should go away, and it was no different!

so! I kept smelling around the car when it was stopped, and I smelled right inside the wheel well (where the fuel filler is.)

and I opened up the cover, there it was... the fuel filler pipe slightly leaking. not enough to leak drops, but enough hole to "smell"

So! I first wanted to check if I sealed it, it would go away(with Aluminum metal tape). I covered the whole tube with the tape, and it's gone! That means that's the pipe that was the cause!

I am replacing it right away... I think that should be recalled.. I heard 355 and 360 burns sometimes because of this issue...

this is a terrible one... so simple, yet, so hazardous.

I suggest you all to check it out. You just have to take your rear right wheel off, and have like 6 screwes(+ screws) off, then you can see it all right there.

 

Interessting, I have a 550 -00, and also smell fuel. People driving behind me do also smell the fuel.
Do you have some picture you can share on your change, or do you have some further description ?
Regards Anders

 

Hi Anders

Actually, I was dumb and forgot to take pictures!

It's quite simple though. Lift up the rear right corner (the corner of fuel filler)
Take off the rear right wheel.

Then you will see a cover on top that has about 6screws (+ screws) take them off, then the cover just comes off, then you will see it right away. (you will probably smell fuel very badly from there.

Mine had a small small crack I think.

I still have not gotten to replace it, yet.

When I do, I should take a pic, but I honestly think this should be recalled. I think this is dangerous, and hazardous to our health.

Jimbo

 

Thanks for the tip - I'll check it out on mine.


Onno

 

OK, many thanks.
Good that I don´t smoke....

 

Interesting. My car needs the tank seals replaced. At least thats what I have been told and believe. There have been threads here about it.

This is the first I have heard of this potential problem.

 

I think some other guy in England was talking about the same problem not too long ago, so I think it's somewhat common.

I highly recommend you to check it yourself as Mechanic will definitley not pay for your loss if your car burns.

It's so simple and easy, anybody with screw driver can check it.

 

wonder if this might be the same problem for the 456, yet the 456 has a 'C' pilar situation, and to get to that part seems rather difficult.