Wondering if anyone can give me some ideas as to the problem.

Park the car in the garage and walk away. Come back 10 minutes later and there's a smell of gasoline. If I wait and come back in an hour or two, the smell is gone. I've also experienced this in a parking lot if there is no wind for the day.
I've checked and can't find any leaks, car runs great and no unusual gas usage.

 

I certainly don't want to alarm you, but with the reports of MINI's experiencing spontaneous combustion (i.e. bursting into flames), I would have this checked out immediately. If you're smelling gasoline after it's been turned off, it's leaking from somewhere and if it finds its way to a hot exhaust pipe, it could be a problem. I also would not park the car in the garage, if you have one, until this is taken care of.

 

Spontaneous combustion means these cars are blowing up, which is the not the case. I think you're talking about spontaneous fires from the water pump circuit boards shorting and smoldering into a fire in the engine bay. That has no relation to gasoline.

As for your gas smell, is it the smell of gas of say when you're filling up your tank, or is it the exhaust smell? It could be a simple exhaust leak before the cat (at your turbo or downpipe). If its actually gas that could be another issue that I'd have checked out. Your tank is vented and does vent gasses upon shutdown, but you shouldn't really smell gas.

Is the car stock?

 

Also, this would better fit in the stock problems forum, could a mod move this please.

 

High Pressure Fuel Pump seals are starting to go. Time to go visit your service advisor (hope you're under warranty).

 

Do you have an oil catch can??

 

Car is stock with the only additions being a Dual Boost Port & an OCC. I agree with OPC, I think it's the seals on the HPFP. Is it possible to replace just the seals?

 

It's pretty common to smell gas/oil with the BSH can and boost port plug. Wrap some plumbers tape (if that's the "technical" term for it) around each side of each connection and the drain plug on the can. Also, empty it as often as you can. Depending on the weather it can fill up really fast.

 

Now that you mention it, I believe the smell started when I emptied the OCC the last time. I'll check it out this weekend. Thanks for the tip. Was really getting concerned that I may have to replace the pump.

 

I experienced a similar problem for several months after having the oxygen sensor replaced. Stock MCS. The dealership couldn't diagnose, although it was obvious the smell was coming from somewhere near/above the fuel pump. They said there was no sign of a fuel leak. I eventually found that the small rubber hose that connects to the turbo hose was loose where it connects to the valve cover. By clamping that hose, the smell stopped after a few days. I'm sure replacing it is a better solution, but the clamp works for now.