E30 Smelling like gas after filling up or taking corners

One very noticeable thing that has been bothering me with my E30 is every time I fill it up, it smells like gasoline. I used to attribute this to a rusted out Y connector near my filler neck, but since I fixed that and the smell was persistent, I knew it might be something else. After realizing that the smell would reappear when taking hard right corners like getting on the freeway, I decided it must be my level sending unit that is leaking. I was going to do my fuel pump gasket as well but ran out of daylight.

Here's how I replaced it:

You will need

1. Replacement O-Ring

2. Phillips head screw driver

3. Wire brush (optional)

4. Piece of wood (optional)

Start by removing the back seat by pulling up on the two ends to pop it off and out.

Pull back the carpet and fabric under the seat to reveal the access lid for the fuel sending unit.

NOTE: It is on the Driver's side, the other lid, on the passenger side is for your fuel pump.

Remove the three screws and pull the lid off. Once off, you will see the top of the fuel sending unit. Unplug the connector and remove the unit.

To remove the unit, you'll notice some ridges on the top edge of it, place a piece of wood against one of the ridges and push so it's rotating the unit counter-clockwise. It should rotate a little bit then be ready to lift out. I lifted mine most of the way then let it sit and drain the fuel that was in it.

Once it is done draining, flip it over and remove the old O-ring. My sender was corroded so I took a wire brush to it so the O-ring would have a good seal.

New O-ring on

Make sure there's no debris around the hole on the gas tank and it is wiped up and clean.

Slide the sender back in, use the wood to rotate it into place (You may need to push down to compress the new O-ring), plug the wires back on, reinstall the cover, pop in your seat, and you're done!