Raw Gas Smell

[davdor]

I have a 1994 BMW 525I that I purchased from a dealer in Houston, TX. I am living in Vermont.
I periodically get a smell of raw gas inside the car.This can happen on a full tank of gas or with half full tank. It can happen in very cold weather while warming up the car,in warmer weather as yesterday morning was 45 degrees and did not get the smell after driving on the highway for about 13 miles and on side streets for about 2 miles. It just happens randomly.
My mechanic has checked and tighened all of the clamps on the fuel lines and has taken off the cover off the fuel injectors to look for leaks as well has having it up on the lift to check for leaks without success. I do not see any gas on the driveway after smelling the gas on warm-up.
My mechanic does not want to start replacing thing unless he knows he has a fix. He thinks it could be the charcol cannister however is reluctant to change it without better info.
Does anyone have any suggestions. I'm gong to the dealer and don't want to be taken.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Get the dealers estimate, and you can try calling BMWNA. I think there might be a bad-seal somewhere. Usually older cars "stink gas" from their exhaust line, it just might be yours has a fume leak into the cabin. Maybe theres a small opening somewhere which allows the smell in. When you drive through smelly areas, industrial NJ (armpit of america) or a cow pasture for example do the outside fumes get into the car with the climate controls off? Goodluck

 

[Kirby]

The Bentley manual for the 3 series specifically says that a raw gas smell is likely to be a contaminated charcoal cannister. Under certain conditions, they can get gas sucked in them, such as completely filling the tank when cold, and then the gas expands in the sun. I suspect the 5 series design is almost identical.

Replacing the cannister should be high on the list of suspects, especially since other things checked out OK.