smells like gas near engine?

[SparkyNT]

Hi - 1990 325i. Had the engine head replaced a couple of months ago due to a broken timing belt. Seems to run rough, the valves click, and I can smell gas near the engine 30% of the time when driving it. The mechanic (whom I do not trust 100%) told me to just go get a tune up.

Is this my next step or is there something else I am missing here? I'm afraid there is something else wrong but I don't trust the old mechanic enough to bring it back to him, honestly.

p.s. Albright's Mighty Motors in Cambridge/Somerville Mass. closed down last month, if anyone cares. One of their mechanics moved across the street and is running his own place now.

 

[Doughnut]

The smell of "gas" your getting could be lots of things, or a mixture of things.
I'll list a few so you can check.

- Fuel leaks? look around hoses, any cracks at ends?
- inlet manifold leak? does your car make a loud hissing noise, along with those noisey tapets?
- exaust leak/s? are there holes in your exauset system near the/ just down from the exause manifold?

Get back to us soon!

 

[madrab]

Sparky...sounds like you've got a engine that needs a serious service. Where did your mechanic get the engine, what was the mileage on it? Did he charge you an arm and a leg to supply and fit??
To be honest I wouldn't trust a mechanic even 1%, that replaces an engine for someone, charges you for the pleasure and doesn't make sure that it's fully serviced and tuned. If he has replaced your engine but didn't do anything else to it then it probably needs it's timing belt done too (serious issue as you found out when yours went), oil and filter change, rocker gaps adjusted etc....tell him to fully service and tune the engne then get the lads round to have a "chat" with him )

cheers Rob

 

[E30m42cab]

Gas leak aside, I would have some words (loud words) with the guy that changed your head and didn't even bother giving it a full valve adjustment. Must be a butcher. Anyways, your gas leak could be in many places... follow the hard line all the way up the driver side of the car. if all the soft lines look good, you've probably got a leaking intake manifold gasket.