i've been smelling fuel inside the cabin while driving lately. the smell is quite strong with the windows partially or all the way down, and i can even smell it a little through the air vents.

the more gas/rpm's i give it (example: from a stoplight up to speed), the more i smell it. can't really smell it at idle.

the car idles good, i had a new fuel pump installed a few months back (no problems with that, it cured my hard-start problem)

i can't trace the smell outside the car with the engine on or off since, tried the engine compartment, gas cap area, fuel lines underneath the driver side.

possibly related: i've heard more 'fluttering' or light ticking from the engine when accelerating or deccelerating (the car is an m6). could this be an exhaust manifold leak... also causing the fuel smell?

steps to take? opinions/advice? Thanks.

 

Light a match

Yeah It could be the exhaust manifolds. Check the fuel rails too, they might be slowly leaking.

 

The charcoal cannister may be the culprit, it's located in the driver's side wheel well, behind a plastic panel. There's a feed line to the canister that might have been disconnected when your fuel pump was replaced.

You can also connect a fuel pressure gauge to the Schrader valve on the fuel rail and see if your fuel pressure bleeds down. If it doesn't hold a steady pressure with the car off, then you have a leak to find.

 

thanks, i'll look into those areas.

i notice the cabin smells like fuel when i get back in the car after driving and parking it (example, at a store)

 

I Have the same problem on my 95 M6 T/A i will checking my canistor out on the 26th i'll let you know how i get on.

 

it could also be the prge valve not working. It is in the same location as the canister..

 

Could also be you Fuel Pressure Regulator, especially if the smell gets worse when you turn on the heat. I had the same issue a few weeks ago; I felt the regulator and it was covered in gas. I guess if the regulator developes even the smallest hole, it will leak fumes into your vacum system, causing an eye watering drive home.

 

I have the same problem and my friends always ask me why it smells like gas
but i just tell them " the gas is evaporating "

 

Purge valve is located on the passenger side of the intake manifold.

 

No, there are two purge valves, one is on the passenger side of intake manifold. the other is in the rear driver side wheel well, next to the canister.

 

I found 1 of the 3 lines on the canister to be disconnected, probably from when the fuel tank & filler-neck were wrestled out for the pump install. BUT the smell persists. I'm thinking an exhaust leak or maybe the secondary purge valve mentioned above? Is it on top of the canister? (picture?) Btw, the fpr is dry and good when checked a few months ago.

Thanks. Don Lee Auto is taking a look at it tomorrow.

 

The shop couldn't find anything wrong with the car, but could smell the fuel when they opened the door (to move the car). There are no external fuel leaks or missing hoses. They said the charcoal canister is ok. A couple evap lines under the hood looked a bit old, but there is NO smell or leak from them.

Any ideas why I only smell fuel when the car is moving/under load (no smell when revving in place)?? Still smells near the driver's rear wheel after parking it too.

 

Try this, get to the vapor canister and remove the line to it from the tank. Pull the vent off the other line to the tank located near the electrical connector. Plug one line and pressurize the other slightly. Be sure your fuel level is at 1/2 or lower and don't jack the car up from the back while you do this. Look for leaks. Now plug both lines to the tank and slightly pressurize the filler neck (yeah I know it's not easy). Look for a cracked filler neck. Filler necks get cracked when the tank is removed and replaced sometimes. If it's cracked on the top side, it may never leak fuel. Now pull the other line from the vapor canister and pressurize it. Look for leaks. Put a little air into one of the vapor canister ports and see what the other side smells like. If it smells like fuel, replace it. Replace your vent and gas cap.

If your problem is back there, this procedure will find it and fix it. I have seen a bad gas cap that doesn't seal properly, cause smell since the tank can't achieve the proper vacuum level to evacuate the vapors. The newer OBDII cars can find such problem. The owner however, is not as lucky.

 

Are we talking about a gasoline smell or a burnt fuel smell? Mine smells like burnt fuel from time to time, especially after being parked right after being driven. I guess this is the same problem you are having...

 

haha, wow, that troubleshooting procedure sounds pretty complex

my gas cap still releases pressure when i open it, if that says anything? also, i don't see how a cracked filler neck will only cause vapors when the car is under load, but i'll take another look.

as for the type of smell, it doesn't smell 100% raw (like replacing the fuel filter). more like running super rich or something. *shrug*