OE code and fuel smell in car

desmotesta · 25th July 2012, 23:00

As the title states, In the last two months I have received the "OE" code twice and I have also smelled gas fumes, 2-3 times, in the car when the car was running. On both occasions (when I smelt gas) car was running and the smell was coming from the air condition vents.

Does anyone have any idea on where I should start looking for a leak if the smell is coming from the air condition vents?

On of my air tubes (that connect the cabin filter to dash) doesnt allign 100% so its safe to say that the smell is from under the hood.

Where should I look for a leak under the hood? As the gas fume symtom has only happened twice, its not present all the time and otherwise there is NO gas smell what so ever.

Thank you for your insight

bdsmitty88 · 26th July 2012, 03:01

Des,

The connectors tubes for my cabin air filters on my car do not connect flush by any means. 2 of the 3 hooks are broke on each, so the fitment is less than snug. I never got smells in through the cabin tubes though, even when I had a large oil leak.

Are you certain that it is coming from the engine and not anywhere else?

desmotesta · 26th July 2012, 03:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdsmitty88

Des,

The connectors tubes for my cabin air filters on my car do not connect flush by any means. 2 of the 3 hooks are broke on each, so the fitment is less than snug. I never got smells in through the cabin tubes though, even when I had a large oil leak.

Are you certain that it is coming from the engine and not anywhere else?

At the time (twice) it really did seem like the smell was coming from the air vents, but I had been running the AC for 25-30 minutes and who knows if the smell was just circulating from the back to the front.

I have tried searching the board and have even googled for "0E" but not much information comes back. I know it means "small tank leak" but I cant find many reports/posts of other people experiencing the same thing.

68FB · 26th July 2012, 03:56

The M5 has a fancy system for detecting leaks in fuel tank and associated venting system. This is from the M5 training manual:

Functional Overview:
The DM-TL is located in the drivers side rear wheel well in the M5.
1. In it’s inactive state, filtered fresh air enters the evaporative system through the sprung
open valve of the DM-TL.
2. When the DME activates the DM-TL for leak testing, it first activates only the pump
motor. This pumps air through a restricted orifice (1.0 or 0.5 mm) which causes the
electric motor to draw a specific amperage value. This value is equivalent to the size of
the restricted.
3. The solenoid valve is then energized which seals the evap system and directs the pump
output to pressurize the evap system.
The evap system is detected as having a large leak if the amperage value is not realized, a
small leak if the same reference amperage is realized or no leak if the amperage value is
higher than the reference amperage.

Maybe you are smelling gas when the DM-TL pump is pressurizing the tank and EVAP system to do the test. There may be spots that are common leakers on the M5 and others can advise but I noticed today when I was under the car that the vent tubing from the tank to the EVAP valve on the engine was pretty corroded.

The training manual (which has been known to be wrong) also says this test is done with the engine off.

desmotesta · 26th July 2012, 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68FB

The M5 has a fancy system for detecting leaks in fuel tank and associated venting system. This is from the M5 training manual:

Functional Overview:
The DM-TL is located in the drivers side rear wheel well in the M5.
1. In it’s inactive state, filtered fresh air enters the evaporative system through the sprung
open valve of the DM-TL.
2. When the DME activates the DM-TL for leak testing, it first activates only the pump
motor. This pumps air through a restricted orifice (1.0 or 0.5 mm) which causes the
electric motor to draw a specific amperage value. This value is equivalent to the size of
the restricted.
3. The solenoid valve is then energized which seals the evap system and directs the pump
output to pressurize the evap system.
The evap system is detected as having a large leak if the amperage value is not realized, a
small leak if the same reference amperage is realized or no leak if the amperage value is
higher than the reference amperage.

Maybe you are smelling gas when the DM-TL pump is pressurizing the tank and EVAP system to do the test. There may be spots that are common leakers on the M5 and others can advise but I noticed today when I was under the car that the vent tubing from the tank to the EVAP valve on the engine was pretty corroded.

The training manual (which has been known to be wrong) also says this test is done with the engine off.

Thank you for the information, did not know any of what you posted.

I am and will continue to look for posts and information regarding "small tank leak" and hope someone else out there has dealt with this and can elaborate on how to confirm that its a real issue, and how to resolve it.

Sailor24 · 26th July 2012, 16:44

This code is also most commonly called the gas cap code. First clear the code put some dielectric grease on the gas cap seal and make sure it is tight every fill up. See if the code comes back. You are connecting the two items but they could be separate. If you had a fuel leak past the reg IE in the engine compartment this code would not get thrown.

With your smell of gas I doubt it is gas cap it does seem plausible that the two are connected, but you should do something to know for sure. If it was me I would pull the plenum and inspect closely from the Evap valve all the way back to the tank like 68 suggested.

desmotesta · 26th July 2012, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor24

This code is also most commonly called the gas cap code. First clear the code put some dielectric grease on the gas cap seal and make sure it is tight every fill up. See if the code comes back. You are connecting the two items but they could be separate. If you had a fuel leak past the reg IE in the engine compartment this code would not get thrown.

With your smell of gas I doubt it is gas cap it does seem plausible that the two are connected, but you should do something to know for sure. If it was me I would pull the plenum and inspect closely from the Evap valve all the way back to the tank like 68 suggested.

Thanks and ARGHHHH, I JUST put the plenum back 3 weeks ago after fighting the AF and AE codes - lol (they havn't returned thankfully, but now they will do because I just said it)

sor118 · 8th September 2012, 00:26

Any luck tracking this down yet Desmotesta? I have the OE code but do not smell any gas. I may try a new gas cap.

desmotesta · 8th September 2012, 00:45

forgot to update the thread.

I can now say with confidence that the fuel smell ONLY returns when I drive in rain. I dont know if it has to do with old cabin filter or something else.

The OE code has not returned but I am planning on getting a new gas cap regardless.