Smelly fuel tank breathers

[TopCat]

I have noticed a slight petrolly smell in Herman's Boot

I am going to check the fuel tank breathers- somewhere I have read that these are accessed via a trapdoor under the rear seat. Is this correct? If not how do you check for this diagnosis please?

[mr edd]

i don,t think you will be able to get at the breather pipe via the hatch .The breather pipe connects to the top of both tanks with a three way jointer then go,s towards the drivers side cill into a steel tube behind the drivers side rear interior panel which then go,s over the drivers side rear inner wheel arch into the boot and connects to the neck of the fuel filler.....drop the drivers side fueltank to get at the hidden end of the breather hose ...i can email you a pic of under the car with tanks removed so you can see the route of the breather hose if it helps...edd

[Heinrich]

Hi sir,

Could you email med a picture allso please?

I have the same problem...

[TopCat]

i don,t think you will be able to get at the breather pipe via the hatch .The breather pipe connects to the top of both tanks with a three way jointer then go,s towards the drivers side cill into a steel tube behind the drivers side rear interior panel which then go,s over the drivers side rear inner wheel arch into the boot and connects to the neck of the fuel filler.....drop the drivers side fueltank to get at the hidden end of the breather hose ...i can email you a pic of under the car with tanks removed so you can see the route of the breather hose if it helps...edd

Driver's side- meaning rhd driver?

[nas80]

yes filler cap side

these are rubber pipes coated with fabric, they are brittle and horrible on every e21 i have seen.

You have to drop the tanks to change them. its not a difficult job to do really but itll take a day or a good weekend. the less fuel you have in the tank the better.

[Jeroen]

See the FAQ as well mate