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1992 BMW 318i - I have a serious gas leak - but it ...
Sent to Car Experts May 10 02:56 PM

1992 BMW 318i - I have a serious gas leak - but it doesn't have any common factors - doesn't matter if the car is full, empty, cornering, cold, hot....etc. The weird thing is that it doesn't happen all the time - never when standing still, and when it does happen - it is not just a leak it loses a substantial amount of gas in that one occurance. It is also not the fuel line recall. I have had 2 different mechanics look at it and they can't find anything. They have let it sit and run for extended periods of time - no leak - HELP! Have you ever heard of such a thing? It almost seems like there is a reservoir of gas that just gets dump at various intervals - nothing consistant. This leak is also in the front of the vehicle.

 

Optional Information:
1992 318i E36/M42 4 cly

Already Tried:
2 mechanics - all fuel lines checked, tank checked, running it idle, checked the recall - nothing. Can't get it to lead while w/mechanic.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Answer
May 10 7:14 PM (4 hours and 18 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Hey Customer (name blocked for privacy) thanks for the question on your BMW,

It sounds like you have ruled out the fuel lines and fuel pressure regulator, return fuel lines. I do not see any mention of the car running bad or stalling when this happens, so I assume it runs fine. You do mention the leak in the front of the vehicle, and in the left front of the engine compartment there is the charcoal cannister for the emission controls mounted just to the left of the power steering resevoir. The charcoal cannister is designed to absorb fumes from the fuel separator in the right rear wheel well near the gas tank filler neck, that vents from the fuel tank, I am thinking that I would look at the bottom of the charcoal cannister to see if there is any sign of fuel there. The cannister is suppose to be protected by valves and other devices, but I suppose there is the chance that raw fuel somehow gets past the valve, fills the line and finally spits out some fuel, all while runing normal. The problem maybe the fuel separator, in back right wheel well by filler neck, and not the charcoal cannister itself. Might be worth a look, I personally have not heard of this problem, but sometimes with cars, you never say never.

If this helps, please accept, if not let me know, all bonuses and feedback appreciated.
Thanks,
William B -- Auto Service Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 303 Car Accepts
Associate Degree Automotive Technology, Master ASE, Master BMW, Master Mazda, 30+ years experience
Reply
May 13 9:18 AM (2 days and 14 hours later)
         
Reply to William B's Post: Hi William,

Yes, I accept this answer - but could you clarify for me where the filter is again? I couldn't find it. Thank you! Wendy
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 13 11:28 AM (2 hours and 9 minutes and 50 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Sure, the charcoal cannister is in the engine compartment, on the left front schock tower, just to the left of the power steering resevroir, the place where you check the power steering fluid. It is black, has two rubber hoses, one slightly larger than the other one. It is not something you would change, but the lines go back to the rear of the car, and could possibly get raw gasoline into to this charcoal cannister, and maybe leak fuel in the left front area of the car. The charcoal inside of the charcoal cannister is designed to absorb the fumes of the gasoline, part of the emission controls, not liquid gasoline, but from your question you have a liquid gas leak, I am thinking that if something is acting up, then there maybe a chance that liquid gasoline is inside the charcoal cannister, where it is not suppose to be. I would at least look at the bottom of this charcoal cannister to see if it looks like it has been wet with liquid gasoline, it should be dry.

Thanks,
William B -- Auto Service Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 303 Car Accepts
Associate Degree Automotive Technology, Master ASE, Master BMW, Master Mazda, 30+ years experience
Reply
May 14 3:01 PM (1 day and 3 hours later)
         
Reply to William B's Post: Thank you!
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 14 3:09 PM (8 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
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William B -- Auto Service Technician -- 100% Positive Feedback on 303 Car Accepts
Associate Degree Automotive Technology, Master ASE, Master BMW, Master Mazda, 30+ years experience
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