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Petrol Smell! Filler neck replaced and tank inspected.

C

chrism964

PCGB Member
Whenever I get into my car there is a smell of petrol. This rapidly disappears when on the move unless the throttle is floored in 1st or 2nd gears when there is brief strong smell of fuel.

I have replaced the filler neck for the latest revision (06) and inspected the fuel tank and pipes in the luggage compartment (which interestingly has never smelt of fuel) for leaks (there were none).

I suspect that there is a leak from one of the fuel lines that runs from the tank to the fuel pump or from the fuel pump to the engine bay. Are they easy to replace at home and ,if not, is it going to be expensive to get a specialist to do it?

Could this be anything else I have not thought of?
 
I'm presuming the odour is in the cabin. It doesnt mean you dont have a fuel line leak, but its a good idea to aerate the vehicle, especially if you replace the fuel filler neck. The boot carpet often stinks. Do you have access to the workshop manual ? Email-me directly on jjps@hotmail.com

Sincerely

Jeff
 
Jeff,

Thanks. Sorry, yes I'm talking about petrol smells within the cabin. I have taken the boot carpet out and smelt it(!) many times and it doesn't smell of petrol at all. It also makes no difference whether it(the carpet) is in the car or out of the car. The only thing that makes a difference is leaving the car sitting with the windows open.
There is no smell of petrol within the boot at all.

regards,

Chris.
 
Chris, where are you based ? - As far as it being a DIY job, well it depends on your facilities and more importantly your experience and confidence with doing so. I'm presuming you do not have access to the Workshop manual.
Other questions: Have you inspected in and around the engine bay i.e. fuel filter, activated charcoal filter

Note that the vapor is even more flammable than liquid gasoline, so be careful, and get this solved immediately

It is possible the gas filler cap is not on correctly, or that there was some over-filling, and the drain tube for it may be plugged with leaves or something. The overflow drain tube is on the underside of the black plastic fuel filler housing under the hinged filler cover of the bodywork. The drain tube runs straight down to about where your shoe would be if fuel overflowed, basically just aft of the front wheel, down low at the corner of the bodywork.

But if you don't see the problem immeidately, I would say take it in ASAP and have it fixed by someone qualified.

Sincerely

Jeff
 
Chris in addition-you could ask the specialist is it the:

Activated charcoal/carbon filter. This part has superceded to 993.201.221.01. It's located in front of the left rear tire, with access from the wheel well.Activated charcoal/carbon filter. Replacing this can often reduce the gas smell.
 
Thanks Jeff,

I have checked everything in the boot/luggage compartment. There isn't a smell of petrol within the engine bay and I have inspected everything I can get to that is fuel system related but this doesn't mean there isn't a problem. I will book it in to a specialist before it poisons or explodes me.

Chris.
 
I think there is a fuel pipe breather faced into the boot and hence the smell which will go away with use, mybe there is passage of air from your boot to your cabin hence this smell. I have it in mine, and is fine when it gets used after a short run.
 
Thanks guys. I have replaced all the easy gaskets/pipes and removed the luggage carpet but still have the smell. The smell of fuel can only be detected in the cabin and not in the luggage compartment at all. I think I have exhausted all of the easy options to get rid of it and so I am left with it being a fuel pipe leak or a problem with activated charcoal filter.
I will post when I have the final solution.......
 
Chris, I had a good chat with Graeme at RPM, and he reckons it's fuel lines under the car or in the rear, not the front. best to get it up on a ramp I guess and check the underneath, or the rear.

Is there any chance you can get it on a clean bit of ground with some brown paper underneath for a day or two with a fule tank of fuel in it, and then maybe you'll see a spot somewhere???

Hope this helps matey, let us know how you get on.



 
I have done everything that everyone has suggested. No obvious leaks from anywhere. The fuel lines have been inspected and no obvious leakages seen/found.

We will see. I don't want to pay to replace all the fuel lines for it to be something else, however I also don't want a potentially exploding or poisonous car.
 
Chris, you checked the charcol canister? If so what did you find?. I know that one just one or two occasions this has been the source of problems. (Rennlist forums IIRC)
I get the fuel smell in the luggage compartment, occasionaly, but never in the passenger cabin, hence my interest in your findings.

kevin
 
Sorry Kevin. I haven't checked everything that has been suggested then. I haven't got around to the cannister yet and I didn't remember to ask Strasse to do it.
 
An old post I know but I thought I'd post the latest development.
In frustration I checked the fit of the fuel cap on the old filler neck. I found that, even with a new gasket, there was poor contact on one side. This was despite the cap not looking distorted to the naked eye. I've replaced the cap and this provided full contact on the filler neck. So far the smell is gone. Fingers crossed!
 
Interesting thread this one. I've got a 90 Carrera 4 and that has a slight petrol smell in the passenger cabin - particularly if it's left standing for a few days. Strangely enough, it's noticeable when I am driving and I have the sunroof slighlty open...

Once I've driven the car for a couple of minutes it disappears.... I think I may try the fuel filler thing... and will let you know!
 
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