Petrol Smell

[Guest]

Hi,

I have noticed that my 944S smells of petrol when driving with the windows/roof open. My local OPC tells me that this is a common problem due to fuel tank vent pipes being located just below the sills and that there is nothing that can be done about it is this true ? or has someone found a simple fix that nobody no's about []

I dont care at the mo because the weather is bad but come summer it willbe a different thing

Any help would be great

Cheers

Pete[]

 

[chrisr]

No idea about a cure but mine has always had a slight whiff of petrol with the windows down.

 

[Guest]

Mine smells of petrol all the time around the rear drivers side wheel.

 

[danmason]

I hate to be the odd one out, but I have no such problem with mine. I've only ever had a fuel smell twice - first time was rotten fuel pipes on the Turbo (common point of failure, behind O/S rear wheel); second time (last week) was a leaking fuel tank on the 924. The rest of the time, no pong!

 

[Guest]

Looks like our fuel lines are knackerd[8|]

 

[Fen]

Same for me - don't remember it with any of my 5 944s.

 

[berg944]

My Lux does not smell.......unlike my hamster (sniffer)

My Turbo is that bad I can not have the windows down......and no air con. or sun roof[]...it gets very warm

This only happens if I fill the tank over halfway. I have followed the fuel lines and checked the tank from underneath and the inspection hole in the boot, no signs of leaks at all.

I think it is being sucked in because of negative pressure rather that through the open window.

I installed a new boot seal but no difference.

Mike

 

[Guest]

My 944 the same - only notice it when I first open windows then the smell either goes away or maybe I just don't notice it.

 

[carlmthompson]

Never smelt this myself, and doubt wether the car would be engineered with this smell in mind! I would be looking for the cause before the flames!

 

[John Maddox]

You should check your fuel lines. They go at the rear offside usually.

 

[wizard]

This could be another reason too, apparently there is a charcoal cannister to filter the fumes out.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=134230&goto=nextnewest

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: Andriko

Mine smells of petrol all the time around the rear drivers side wheel.

Funny mine might be smelling of petrol if i dont get it sold this year.

 

[Steven944]

check the small rubber ring that is inside the fuel filler cap, this can perish and not seal effectively when the cap is on. Not bad enough to leak, but is enough to let the fumes escape.

 

[berg944]

apparently there is a charcoal cannister to filter the fumes out.

I think this could be my problem as there is no leak but mega fumes.

Looked at the PET diagram of the tank......seems very complicated.

Can not find the cannister or Reservoir (as shown on PET diagram)

Can see filter and pump

Where is the cannister?

What is the reservior all about?

Mike

 

[PaulHere]

I *think* the cannister is a USA item only?

The problem is indeed caused by negative pressure sucking fumes in at the rear of the car.
First, check there are no extra drill holes underneath the number plate - if there are block them.
Then to check if the rear seal is at fault open the hatch and run a wet sponge over the rear seal and the surface where it shuts down onto, then close the hatch and the windows and go for a test drive

If there is no smell you need to inspect the rear seal and/or slightly adjust the hatch pins which can be a fiddley job.

 

[Alexw]

I'm assuming its corroded fuel pipes - mine had similar symptoms, turned out to be a corroded pipe just near the rear axle - quite a common place for corrosion to set in I believe. I didn't see any petrol on the floor but it doesn't take much to make one hell of a smell, which is a good thing to be honest. After a while though you will see a small dot on the floor if it is leaking there.
I had it replaced with flexi pipe which has been fine for the last ~18 months. The "official" way of replacing the pipe involves dropping the rear axle which will cost a fortune so I think most people just use flexi pipe until theres a job thats actually worth dropping the axle for, then do the fuel pipes at the same time.

If its not that, has there been any engine work lately? Maybe one of the fuel pipes in the engine bay wasn't tightened fully?

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Also can leak from fuel rail - usually where the regulators attach to the rail, run the engine without the cover on the rail ( 3 or 4 clips underneath it and lift)
Mike

 

[Alexw]

Yeah, that's what I meant I've done that myself, only hand tightened one of the pipes that goes into the fuel rail, from the damper. Found out when a mate started the engine while I checked to make sure everything was ok. It only leaked a tiny amount, a drip every now and then.

 

[murv69]

Just had a quck look tonight & think I have found the source, I will check the fuel rail but looked under the car and the fuel pipes where they come down from the engine bay and bend to go to the back of the car were wet & oilybut that seems to be where the smell is coming from, I have cleaned them up & see what there like tomorrow night, if wet will take the front wheel & plastic inner arch & investigate more, can anyone tell me if the fuel pipes are in sections & can be brought or am I in for an expensive fix or can I take out a section & replace with flexipipe.

cheers

Simon

 

[Alexw]

I think its in sections in that area, been a while since I've had the arch liners off though.... IIRC the flexi bit from the engine bay goes down and connects to a hard pipe just inside the hole in the arch. That then runs under the car with the brake lines, but I don't think it runs the whole length though... someone will have to confirm that.