New Owner: Strong fuel smell in cabin

[smcguiga]

I've only owned my car for a few weeks and the first week or so of driving was fine. Lately I've noticed a VERY STRONG fuel smell in the cabin while driving. I've replaced the gas cap but that didn't seem to resolve the problem. I've removed the covers inside the trunk to inspect lines, etc and there is a noticeable fuel smell there. From what I can see there are no leaks and everything looks normal. Any ideas on what to check out next? I did notice the fuel lines come off of the pump from the opposite side of where the metal lines go back to the engine and the rubber hoses are a bit kinked in this configuration. The engine seems to be running rich as the exhaust has a strong smell as well, but my main problem is that the car is basically not drivable without being asphyxiated. I've never had pressure on the cap when opening it to refuel.

[opethmike]

Is the charcoal canister hooked up properly?

[Bitsyncmaster]

The most common fuel smell problem is caused by the fuel pump boot not being seated and clamped tight. So you need to remove the rubber cover and check that the boot is seated and then re-clamp tightly.

Sometimes the fuel level sender may have the same problem.

It also helps that you not top off the tank. I usually only top off the tank when I'm driving long distances.

[smcguiga]

I don't have anything to compare it to, but take a look at the attached image. The pipe on the far left in the picture has a rotten piece of hose stuck to it.

38828

--Steven

[Michael]

If there are no obvious signs, do the easiest first: replace the fuel cap.

[smcguiga]

Michael, I already replaced the cap. Still smell gas all around that area. When A/C is on MAX is REALLY Bad inside, when on Norm is not quite as bad. :) Also, yesterday I ordered a couple of transmission filters from you on ebay.

[refugeefromcalif]

Steven, which fuel pump and sender does your car have?
Mine has the New combo unit but, I had to replace the fuel hose after 2 years. The *New* ones that came with the unit started leaking.
How i noticed was the same as you, The gas smell in the cabin was Overpowering. :eek:
George

[smcguiga]

Its the new combo unit. DMCFL replaced it a few years ago. I think I found my problem though. I was pressing on the tank to make sure everything was fastened well and I heard hissing noises coming from under the filler pipe. As I pushed and pulled, it was breathing...LOL. Behold, a crack in the small hose that goes from the filler pipe to this plastic valve (whatever it is supposed to do).

38829

[refugeefromcalif]

Glad you found the culprit!
When you replace it, make certain you use High pressure fuel line.
I posted a video and pics, (somewhere here), when I had my issue. I got my hose from O'Reillys on Skyland and Greensburro.
(Of course, I'm on the southeast side of T-town from you)... :)

George

[opethmike]

Holy crap!

That's the rollover valve; this link explains it better than I can:

http://www.onallcylinders.com/2015/07/31/tech-101-the-hows-and-whys-of-installing-a-tanks-inc-rollover-vent-valve/

[smcguiga]

Ok, that makes sense. Well with this piece of hose being cracked, I've basically been venting my gas tank all this time. The other end of the valve appears to go back to the charcoal canister. Would be nice if this magically fixes my "rich running" issue as well. :) I'll pick up some fuel line tomorrow and see where I stand. I might as well replace all the fuel hoses up front while I'm at it.

Thanks everyone for quick responses. This forum is awesome!

--Steven

[Bitsyncmaster]

I don't have anything to compare it to, but take a look at the attached image. The pipe on the far left in the picture has a rotten piece of hose stuck to it.

38828

--Steven

I think every car had that "hose cap" cracked and falling off. Replacing it does not seem to change anything.

The roll over valve is something I've never looked at in my car. I would guess there is no pressure on that hose so most any fuel hose should work.

[Ryan S.]

Ok, that makes sense. Well with this piece of hose being cracked, I've basically been venting my gas tank all this time. The other end of the valve appears to go back to the charcoal canister. Would be nice if this magically fixes my "rich running" issue as well. :) I'll pick up some fuel line tomorrow and see where I stand. I might as well replace all the fuel hoses up front while I'm at it.

Thanks everyone for quick responses. This forum is awesome!

--Steven

I am also having fuel smell issue. But not as bad as you have described. I am going to check my rollover valve this week also.

[DL4567]

I've been considering buying the new combo fuel pump, thinking it would solve my occasional gas smell in the cabin. Interesting to read that it can still happen, even with the new pump.

[David T]

I've been considering buying the new combo fuel pump, thinking it would solve my occasional gas smell in the cabin. Interesting to read that it can still happen, even with the new pump.

It won't/can't solve the fuel smell problem if there is some other cause. Before "throwing" parts at the problem try to find the actual cause.

[opethmike]

I wouldn't recommend throwing parts at all. They could break.

[Ryan S.]

Steven, which fuel pump and sender does your car have?
Mine has the New combo unit but, I had to replace the fuel hose after 2 years. The *New* ones that came with the unit started leaking.
How i noticed was the same as you, The gas smell in the cabin was Overpowering. :eek:
George

People who has the new combo pump should check their hoses. Mine is abuout 2 years old and main hose also started to crack. I replaced mine with Gates and should be good for a few more years. Pump itself is working great and no issues.

[Trstno1]

Hey guys -

So I put 170 miles on the car today. She performed beautifully with the exception of a fuel smell in the cabin I noticed about half way through the drive. It seems like everything is fine when driving under a load, but I now notice a fuel smell in the cabin when I am decelerating or while sitting at a stop light. Once I'm under way under a load again, it disappears just as quickly as arrived in the first place.

Freaked out with all the spontaneous combustion threads as of late I pulled over and started checking things immediately. Everything under the engine hood is dry as a bone with no fuel smell. So next I removed all of the covers in the trunk but nothing appeared to be leaking. No spilled fuel anywhere.... However the smell is definitely coming from that general area. The strongest odor comes from under the knock out plug next to the gas cap. The area directly above the rollover valve. I have checked the hoses and don't see any obvious failures and everything appears tightly clamped. I have the new combo unit but that appears to be tightly sealed to the tank as well. Can you guys think of anything else I can test just short of taking her for another drive to reproduce the symptoms? I'm just a little nervous of my baby burning to the ground...

[FPBBrandon]

I'd do the evap stuff under the trunk just as a matter of course. The fill hose, the rollover valve plumbing, the smaller vent hose, and the triangular gasket that bolts around the filler neck. Cleared my gas smells up.

[David T]

I'd do the evap stuff under the trunk just as a matter of course. The fill hose, the rollover valve plumbing, the smaller vent hose, and the triangular gasket that bolts around the filler neck. Cleared my gas smells up.

If you have a gas smell it is always due to a leak of some kind around the fuel tank. Among the possibilities include:
Gas cap gasket
Fuel sender gasket
Cover boots for the fuel pump
Hoses and connections for the fill and vent.

Usually seems worse the more fuel you have in the tank and when you park the car in the hot sun. Also worth checking the evap system for any blockages. Start with the hose that comes out of the bottom of the cannister and comes out the bottom of the left pontoon. Insects seem to like going in there and blocking it up.

[Trstno1]

If you have a gas smell it is always due to a leak of some kind around the fuel tank. Among the possibilities include:
Gas cap gasket
Fuel sender gasket
Cover boots for the fuel pump
Hoses and connections for the fill and vent.

Usually seems worse the more fuel you have in the tank and when you park the car in the hot sun. Also worth checking the evap system for any blockages. Start with the hose that comes out of the bottom of the cannister and comes out the bottom of the left pontoon. Insects seem to like going in there and blocking it up.



You know... now that I think of it, I don't think the metal blocker plate for the sender hole that the DMC combo unit came with had a gasket.... I'll have to take a look here in a bit.

Though I did take the car for a short drive yesterday, I couldn't get the symptoms to re-appear. Its almost like it only appears after a long drive when vacuum pressure has built up in the fuel tank or the fuel has warmed up. Ill have to take it for another drive now that all the trunk blocking panels are off the car.

[jwrayth]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned it but if the accumulator hoses are deteriorating you can get a fuel smell in the cabin right through the centre console. Depending how bad the leak is it's not immediately apparent, but I can tell you I immediately knew when my accumulator hose started leaking.

[smcguiga]

My gas smell comes and goes and I just replaced my rusty filler neck and cap with a new neck, hose and cap and the cap still leaks. Is this just normal or is there some trick to get the cap to actually make a seal???

[smcguiga]

Autozone fuel cap part #6810 for the win!! No more gas smell. The new cap from DMC sealed worse than my old rusty one.


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