Smelly ticking
Discussion
Our 2015 BMW 120i has been making a ticking sound (from the engine) for a week or so now, sometimes it goes away but is there most of the time. I felt that it might be an aux belt tensioner and was planning to delve into that this week. However, I just went down the road, ticking maybe slightly louder and now smelling of petrol. When I parked up I realised I'd left a trail of petrol splashes in the car park, oops.
This is obviously quite a common engine, used in Minis as well as BMW so I wondered if anyone might be able to give me a clue as to what it 'could' be please, or at least what I can check first.
Thanks.
Update: it would appear the fuel is originating from somewhere close to the offside rear wheel (filler cap is above this), that's certainly where the smell is strongest.
This is obviously quite a common engine, used in Minis as well as BMW so I wondered if anyone might be able to give me a clue as to what it 'could' be please, or at least what I can check first.
Thanks.
Update: it would appear the fuel is originating from somewhere close to the offside rear wheel (filler cap is above this), that's certainly where the smell is strongest.
Edited by Dan17 on Monday 9th December 14:53
Sounds like it's evap / fuel filter related.
The ticking is probably the charcoal canister solenoid having a mental break down. Scanning it for fault codes is always the first port of call, even before even asking on forums tbh because "I have this noise and this smell" questions are never going to get accurate answers right off the bat, but a DTC scan will help expedite an answer.
The ticking is probably the charcoal canister solenoid having a mental break down. Scanning it for fault codes is always the first port of call, even before even asking on forums tbh because "I have this noise and this smell" questions are never going to get accurate answers right off the bat, but a DTC scan will help expedite an answer.
rottenegg said:
Sounds like it's evap / fuel filter related.
The ticking is probably the charcoal canister solenoid having a mental break down. Scanning it for fault codes is always the first port of call, even before even asking on forums tbh because "I have this noise and this smell" questions are never going to get accurate answers right off the bat, but a DTC scan will help expedite an answer.
Thanks, noted.The ticking is probably the charcoal canister solenoid having a mental break down. Scanning it for fault codes is always the first port of call, even before even asking on forums tbh because "I have this noise and this smell" questions are never going to get accurate answers right off the bat, but a DTC scan will help expedite an answer.
Got a mobile guy coming tomorrow to scan, and hopefully diagnose the issue.
For anyone interested....
Mobile auto electrician came out, had a quick look about, lifted the rear seats, took off the black round panel beneath the seats and found the problem within 5 minutes of arriving.
Rodent damage! Mice (I expect) had got into this section by climbing up near the centre of the exhaust and made a little nest on top of the fuel pump. Luckily the black panel stops them getting into the car but they must have got hungry recently and chewed the unused outlet, made a hole in it allowing petrol to spew out when the engine was running.
Hole sealed, nest vacuumed away, hopefully the last of them! The guy has been doing this kind of work for 30 years and has seen more rodent damage in the last 18 months than the previous 30 years. Apparently the plastics have changed and they're much tastier now (I am serious!)
Mobile auto electrician came out, had a quick look about, lifted the rear seats, took off the black round panel beneath the seats and found the problem within 5 minutes of arriving.
Rodent damage! Mice (I expect) had got into this section by climbing up near the centre of the exhaust and made a little nest on top of the fuel pump. Luckily the black panel stops them getting into the car but they must have got hungry recently and chewed the unused outlet, made a hole in it allowing petrol to spew out when the engine was running.
Hole sealed, nest vacuumed away, hopefully the last of them! The guy has been doing this kind of work for 30 years and has seen more rodent damage in the last 18 months than the previous 30 years. Apparently the plastics have changed and they're much tastier now (I am serious!)
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