Smell of gasoline

[John Rethorst]

For the past few weeks, I occasionally notice this when in or around my '01 OBW.
Took it to the dealer, who asked if the heat was on (yes) at these times, set to
recirculate air (no). They found a leaking head gasket and replaced it. I still
smell gas. Whether car is warmed up or not. Sounds funny but I notice it more
after making a left turn. No puddles under the car. I looked underneath with a
flashlight, no evidence. I'm going to take it back in; can you think of anything
I could suggest? Thanks!

 

[Jim Stewart]

For the past few weeks, I occasionally notice this when in or around my '01 OBW.
Took it to the dealer, who asked if the heat was on (yes) at these times, set to
recirculate air (no). They found a leaking head gasket and replaced it. I still
smell gas. Whether car is warmed up or not. Sounds funny but I notice it more
after making a left turn. No puddles under the car. I looked underneath with a
flashlight, no evidence. I'm going to take it back in; can you think of anything
I could suggest? Thanks!

First of all, exhaust gas or gasoline?

If it's exhaust gas, you need to have the exhaust
systems checked.

If it's gasoline, check the fuel rails, the
fuel filter and the charcoal canister.

I had a Ford Taurus that had a very strong
gasoline smell and I tracked it back to
a cracked charcoal canister.

 

[Wilco van Diest]

spilled some gasoline while filling up (fill up too much gasoline) ?

It happened once to me and I smelled gasoline for at least 3 weeks.

A leaking head gasket never cause such a smell so far I know.....

Wilco

 

[John Rethorst]

spilled some gasoline while filling up (fill up too much gasoline) ?

No.

First of all, exhaust gas or gasoline?

Gasoline. Smells nothing like exhaust. The dealer said that coolant leaking from
the gasket could smell similar. I think I could tell the difference though.

If it's gasoline, check the fuel rails, the
fuel filter and the charcoal canister.

Thanks.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Problem with finding a small gas leak is that evaporates very quickly.
Best to leave engine running while you check fuel rail, injectors and
fuel filter connections. If not found there go look at the charcoal
canister and fittings. Head gasket making a gasoline smell?/ I don't
think so and neither should a Subaru service writer or service tech.
How much did the HG replacement cost you and still have the problem??
ed

spilled some gasoline while filling up (fill up too much gasoline) ?

It happened once to me and I smelled gasoline for at least 3 weeks.

A leaking head gasket never cause such a smell so far I know.....

Wilco

 

[jabario]

Did you pay for a HG replacement? If so, get your money back. If not
bring car back in

 

[John Rethorst]

Problem with finding a small gas leak is that evaporates very quickly.
Best to leave engine running while you check fuel rail, injectors and
fuel filter connections. If not found there go look at the charcoal
canister and fittings. Head gasket making a gasoline smell?/ I don't
think so and neither should a Subaru service writer or service tech.
How much did the HG replacement cost you and still have the problem??

It was a warranty repair; the service manager said that the leaking coolant
could smell similar to gasoline. I can tell the difference between them, but
since they found a leaking gasket I let them replace it. I still have the
problem.

 

[John]

Just had to replace the filler neck on mine. This also involves some clamps
and a rubber connecter to connect the filler neck to the tank. Perhaps
there is a loose clam or a crack in the rubber. Do you notice the smell as
much before you need to fill up?
You say you notice it after taking a left turn. When you turn left, gas is
moved to the right from the tank into the filler neck.

Just a thought.

 

[tom]

what was the weather like when you smelled gas?

there's a tsb for leaking gas lines on the 2002 wrx, which calls for
replacing a metal line and a rubber hose. but the intake manifold has
to come off first! if the work isn't covered under warranty, it can be
quite expensive to change two lousy little parts.

most people report the problem only in cold weather, while the engine
is still cold. (in my case -25° c.) i would guess that the aluminum
tube contracts a lot more than the steel clamp holding it, which leaves
a gap until the engine warms up a bit.

to make matters worse, most people (including me) put on the heater
full blast to clear the windshield. but you can't use recycled air for
defrost - the controls force you to use outside air, and the heater air
intake is almost directly above that gas line connection.


........ tom klein

 

[Peter Stathis]

Good advice from everybody. One other thing you might check if you live in a
cold part of the country. The fuel line rubber hose can contract when it's
cold, so check and tighten the clamps. I have found this to be a problem
even on a 2005.

 

[John Rethorst]

Good advice from everybody.

Yes it was, and I appreciate it. Thanks!

One other thing you might check if you live in a
cold part of the country. The fuel line rubber hose can contract when it's
cold, so check and tighten the clamps. I have found this to be a problem
even on a 2005.

I'll look at that.

 

[W Bruins]

I had this problem a few years ago in my '00 Outback. I found a puddle
of gasoline on the top of the engine. One of the hose clamps on the fuel
line was loose.

 

[P T]

Darn. I thought this thread was going to be about the smell of gasoline.
When I was a kid back in the 60s I used to like the smell of gas. (No, I
wasn't sniffing it or anything.) Now it doesn't smell as good as it used
to. Or maybe I've changed.

 

[Larry Weil]

(e-mail address removed) (P T) wrote in 3136.bay.webtv.net:

Darn. I thought this thread was going to be about the smell of gasoline.
When I was a kid back in the 60s I used to like the smell of gas. (No, I
wasn't sniffing it or anything.) Now it doesn't smell as good as it used
to. Or maybe I've changed.

Nah, you're still the same. It's just that the additives used in modern
gas, such as MTBE, stink. Lead has no smell at all.