Fuel Smell In Your BMW? Check This. F30 Update!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video I show you how to repair a leaking fuel tank on your F30 BMW. I do this on an 328i with the N20 engine. When you fill the car all the way up fuel can leak out on the drivers side from a cap that gets glued in at the factory.
This is more likely to occur on hot climates from what I can tell. It is likely to only leak if the tank is 100% full. Once the level drops by a couple liters the leaking should stop.
I noticed it as a smell in the interior at first. So if you have a BMW and it's smelling of fuel after you fill it up all the way it is worth checking this out if it's a relatively new model with no access to the fuel tank on drivers side.
I also took this car across the country to California and show you my journey back from California to Texas.
If this is the first video you are catching of mine please consider subscribing. I upload reguarly.
Thanks for watching :)
Wow, caught this one early!
Just wanted to let you know that you're the reason why I have a stage 2 e90 right now. Such an amazing channel you've made 👌
Thanks! I'll have to get back to some e90 content.
I second this. This man has taught me majority of what I know about my N54. Undoubtedly the best DIY content I’ve come across on TH-cam in terms of bmw’s
So much work to get a gas tank out. Great job.
Califorina in your thumbnail, bro!
Very nice fix, and most important a cheap fix! Thanks for sharing. Regards, Nico.
Nice job making this video. Our F30 has started leaking fuel vapors. You can smell it both inside and outside the car. Looks like I’ll need to do this same repair.
Love it when you give so much details into everything you do, I've learned a lot from you and I want to thank you for that!
I’m doing this today, wish me luck, great video!!!
And.. how was it?
@@nickdubya9924 perfectly!!
Finally we could see you going out with your car. Nice trip!
That’s a lot of work man ! Good job 👏
Great landscapes on the drive back home.
Did the jb weld work well, did it leak again, cause the same place on mine is leaking 🤦
Great content again. California has amazing vistas and places to visit. I will be looking for you during car week if you decide to make a return visit in August. Apex channel love the content
Just wanted to say thanks for the informative video! I've had the same issue with my F30 and trying to escalate with BMW locally here in Australia. Would you be able to point me in the direction of the blogs you mentioned stating it as a common fault? I'm struggling to find them online.
Cheers!
Fuel tanks for us markets have been a pain since the e46, because of the low evap emissions they have in certain states. Interestingly the e46 had a metal fuel tank with the m56 engine, and it rusts. Costs about 1500$.
I found that my car recently developed a fuel odor inside and outside when I topped it up. Its a 2012 F30 so I assumed it was the problem you had but it was not. My tank was different and we I got it out, the leaking was coming from the fuel pump gasket. I special ordered one because no one has it around here... in the process I had a hard time with the parking brake cables... what a pain... something else I have to address...
I’m in same boat. Might have brake cable to address, but definitely the fuel tank issue. Are you saying you removed fuel tank to only find out you could have just replaced pump gasket? I know brake cable and fuel tank require removing a lot of the same things anyways at least. Any tips appreciated.
@@nickdubya9924 it actually ended up being cracks in the fuel sending unit lid. My car is the SULEV so BMW replaced it for free under some California emissions mandate…
Man, that's a ton of work just for a fuel tank !! Sheesh. I applaud you man.
Insightful video.
Need help. Have now experience the same issue. Would applying the special-type of glue to around seal will fix this 'fuel leak' problem? Has this fixed the issue permanently (the video was uploaded two years ago). I do want to find a permanent solution.
Thank you for your video.
Hey fellas, I was smelling gas on my car and I thought it was this...but it wasn't. Ended up being a leak on the fuel rail...on the fuel feed line nipple at the weld. Took me a while to narrow it down. My car 75k...just some info incase anyone else ever had similar issues. Ordered a rail from a junk yard on ebay... and it was good to go
I have a similar issue with my e90 with the gas leaking but I don't smell anything. Plus the gas pump clicks around 3/4 sometimes and other times it goes almost full.
How did it hold up ? Need to make this repair or swap my tank. Thanks for filming and posting this
Sounds like a future class action lawsuit.
Is JB Weld flexible enough to maintain the seal?
nice work as always.....looks like you need a new windshield....your next post maybe.
Watching his show makes me never to get a bmw lol always something to fix
I have 2011 BMW 335i. July isn't over yet, but four things already went wrong. First week of July, coolant hose busted. Second week, valvetronic servo motor went bad. Third week, the adaptive headlight stopped working. This week, charge pipe busted. If you want to keep you hands clean, these four repairs could easily cost you $3,000. Don't buy a used BMW if you're not mechanically inclined.
@@glenglene8473 you are right !
@@glenglene8473 10 year old european car issues, I'll only own these cars in warranty, buy CPO
Another great diy!! Keep em coming!!
Hey I need your help .. my bmw 328i f30 is having an issue that my gas mile number screen is like going up and down like 150 miles to 120 in seconds and so on my car runs fine no check engine light please help me ..
Hey I just saw this but you should have limited extend warranty for the leaking fuel tank actually, which happened to me and was covered. Since you already fixed it i believe you can get a reimbursement, contact your local bmw SA
gave a call to my dealer, took in the car and after finding the same problem on this video the 15y 150k mile warrenty covered it for me, anyone thinking about doing this job make sure to call your dealer to get a free fuel tank. also thank you sksyah7104 for this comment, if it wasnt for you i would have had to do this myself and spend money for no reason.
As always great video!!!
I have the issue, I like to know if it's been a while and how it's holding up now.
I gotta say I don't like beige interiors but for whatever reason I think it looks good in the Cali summer sun
Yeah this is more of a cream color called oyster so it looks alright.
Same issue , a bmw garage replaced the tank with a second hand tank . Cost around 500 usd with labor in Cape Town :/
You are great, keep going 👍🏻
Nice video, do you know what would be the causes of an SOS malfunction? I got this warning on my f30 like two days ago and it went off but yesterday it came back. Do you know if this might be just a system glitch?
Nice the only thing is the bolts to the rear drive shaft are 1 time use the 18mm bolts and nuts yes or no?
You can reuse them without an issue.
Yeah they're reusable.
Any answer on my question please an thank you 😊
Mine has a check engine light which won’t pass emissions, and smells the exact same any difference?
Damn, NBT navigation display looks hella nice compared to our CICs in the garage.... ugh
BimmerTech might provide an upgrade option.
You can get cic to work like that with additional coding. I managed to activate satellite image.
Hello, maybe you can help me! I have an n43 engine. Recently changed timing chain and oil control valve. I sometimes get ‘low oil pressure stop driving’ it seems to occurs after I have drove for a period of time and then turned the car off for 5-10mins and upon turning it back on I receive this message. Any idea what could cause this?
Hi, How it is holding after time? Is everything ok ?
I sold that car but it held up, I heard this is now covered under a recall.
@@VehicularDIY Thank you for the video, but thank you even more for this comment. Its apparently not a recall, but they did apply an extended warranty to many models experiencing this issue. 15yr/150K miles. Mine just started having this issue so i was dreading repairing it or paying to repair it
Here's a suggestion, I think it would be a good content if you were to do a video converting those rear drum brakes to disc brakes,
Those are rear disk brakes, the parking brake is a drum style set up that uses the inside of the rear rotor.
@@ABC-ku1nn AH, NO.. .those are drum brakes! Learn your car parts!!
@@berniecruz8405 : No, you’re wrong and ABC is correct. The rear brakes are discs and the emergency/parking brake use the inside of the rotor with shoes.
@@michaelhall9138 lol @berniecruz8405 was so sure
whats is this color a89 ?
Bro I have a 2008 328i. I have a dead cylinder six. I've changed the spark plugs, coilpacks, and fuel injectors with no outcome. Do you have any suggestions?
Dan did something on this. See th-cam.com/video/RO12NiE5g1E/w-d-xo.html
Check fuel pump relay, and ecu relay
BMW currently has a recall for the fuel tank. At least for my F32. And here in germany recalls from the manufacurer are pretty rare. So there should be one in the U.S. too, I guess. Go check with you VIN, maybe you're lucky and get it replaced for free.
So recall in Europe right? In Germany? Can you tell what dealer?
it's not a recall but extended warranty if your car has the issue.
love the background music! can you share the name of the tracks?
Sure, Fast Vision by Damma Beatz, Listen and learn by Toby Tranter, Somone New by Zorro, Stocked by Damma Beats, We never lose by DJ Denz and What's it gonna take by Katn. I use Epidemic Sound for all this.
There is a 15y 150k miles warrenty on f30s so if you qualify take it to your dealer have the job done for free, they replaced my whole tank cause of the same problem in this video.
My fuel line connector snapped, too.
Why do these cost so much yet have some many problems compared to my accord. Its crazy. I see why my middleclass friends with these cars are broke.
They really don't have that many issues. The #1 problem is that they can be had used for a good price, but many people don't maintain them after they buy them. Preventative maintenance goes a loooong way with BMW.
@@ichoozjc i hear u
Do you need to fix those rock chips on your windshield?
The whole windshield would need replaced but in Texas is passes inspection regardless.
How do you get that view on your navigation. Is it possible on idrive 6? I hope this tank issue isnt an F82 thing as well.lol
It is the default view as far as I know on NBT. Hopefully not, the F8X probably has a different tank.
Voltaren pain relief ads during your video! Funny...
?: Would a new tank resolve this issue? Did they upgrade the quality, I'm wondering.
I'm surprised this wouldn't be a recall/safety issue.
Yeah a new tank would, yeah that was the first thing I checked. No recalls or TSBs that I could find.
There is an extended warranty if I am correct it is 150,000. miles for the fuel tank. Of course if you take it in and it's not the fuel tank you pay for the diagnostic test.
It's a manual pre LCI btw
Bumps in the road cause the top to hit the bottom of the car maybe over time cracks and chips
Need to work on a good use for sage brush. lol
Hello
if you are selling the car... u will need to replace that windshield first... so many stone chips a cracked glass...
Asap answer please 🙏
My 228i has this problem. I think I’m gonna cut a hole 🕳
What jack stands are you using? Some of these on the market are unsafe.
I'm using some motor master ones and some I got from TSC I stopped using my harbor freight ones. I gotta take then in for an exchange
Only thing I hate is the rubber outer exterior by the frame window so unprofessional as Lexus and other models use stainless steel
That JB Weld fix is cheesy AF!
What would you recommend in this scenario?
Their fuel tansk crack too now ?? WTF is wrong with BMW. They are really making rubbish cars these days. A fuel tank now. Where does it end ??
What's next ? A bio degradable wiring harness ??
And I’m over here scared to drive my F30 with 60k miles to other city nearby cos what if something happens. I guess there’s a lot of disinformation out there that they’re very unreliable.
I mean, it happens. The only reason BMWs get a bad rep is cause there is a LOT more stuff to go bad than, say, a Mazda. Add the complexity of replacing those parts and then you get high price tags. But, that doesn't necessarily mean the cars arent reliable. Vehicle DIYs original N54 engine in his E90 had over 200k miles and was still going strong. It failed because of a user mod, not by its design.
I'm my opinion as long as the cooling system looks healthy a BMW does well on long drives even at higher mileage.
Electric Water Pump and Electric Thermostat in F30 N55s fail "reliably" at 60k miles. B58 went back to a mechanical water pump. Hi labor + parts to replace.$2500. Also carry a spare coolant expansion tank to engine plastic hose in the trunk $40-60. Breaks at 60k at the 90deg elbow. DMTL Module plus hose also fail. Always get an extended warranty for any BMW beyond 3-5 yrs and 50k miles. Watch temp if it creeps above 250F.
@@nycshelbygt500 I mean sure, the pump is a piece of garbage, but aside from that, there isnt too much to worry about. Although, I will admit my dads N55 has given more headache than my moms N52 if Im honest. I already replaced the tstat and pump on dads car. Wasnt easy, but it wasnt impossible either.
Fear not! We drove our 2014 535i from San Diego to New Orleans to Asheville, NC to Dollywood back to San Diego in late 2019. IIRC, total mileage was around 5600… ALL trouble free and got a hand-calculated 32.3mpg. IMHO all this FUD around BMW’s is from 3rd & 4th owners of cars that weren’t maintained correctly.
Windshield diy
Pls
BMW has issued an extended warranty for the fuel tank 15 year 150k miles so you can get reimbursed for the repair
I think I’m having this issue! I smell gas but unfortunately my car is a 2014 with 193k miles! I missed this recall so now I’m prepping for this nightmare of a job.
California is great to visit but the most shit place to live in because of all the stupid laws. Worst place for enthusiasts.
Seems like every speed limit is radar enforced.
@@VehicularDIY my radar detector is constantly going off and seems like not even worth it lol. There’s so many people that Waze is a better option here.