Strong Petrol Smell

**Polyal** · 25-04-2005, 07:35 PM

While its not urgent, I would like to fix this problem. There are no visible fuel leaks anywhere but after about 5 mins of driving its pretty strong. My gf's mum was visiting the other day and actually felt a little ill being in the back (just what I needed).

Any suggestions? Anyone else suffer from this issue? I normally have the window down unless its raining so I guess thats why Ive never really noticed. But now that its been pointed out its actually pretty bad.

mcflux · 25-04-2005, 07:51 PM

I'm not trying to be a smartarse here, but could it be running rich?

U going thru a lot of fuel lately? If you can get someone to observe your exhaust when you give it some curry, does it puff out black smoke?

Just trying to help eliminate some suspects...

-Dave-

**Polyal** · 25-04-2005, 07:55 PM

Nah I reakon your spot on, but I wanted to see what people said first.

Strange thing is Im getting pretty good fuel consumption lately. Atleast 480-550 kays a tank. Once I get my cam and extractors I am going to get it dyno'd and tuned, I was just wondering what people thought.

EB6 · 25-04-2005, 08:18 PM

if ya still gettin fuel econ like that it would tend to stray away from runnin rich. its not something like a weaping on the fuel hose to the rail connection which evaporates straight away so it cant be seen but can be smelt, also if its runnin rich unless ya sittin still and have an exhaust ya shuldnt be able to smell petrol in ya car that would be for the person behind you to enjoy. just some ideas anywho.

BJ · 25-04-2005, 08:25 PM

It will be the filler cap not venting properly. Had the same thing on our Fairlane pulled the cap apart gave it a blow out with some air and no more smell.

SileNceR · 26-04-2005, 11:14 PM

karls car did this when he didnt have the fuel pump locking ring done up properly... maybe take the metal cover off under the boot floor and make sure the fuel lines arent leaking at the hose clamps there as smell from here will enter the cabin easiest...

gtfpv · 26-04-2005, 11:25 PM

my el xr8 done this for years i just assumed it was the norm but only noticed it outside the car once we'd stopped and got out . the cap vent sounds like a good call also i remember something about fuel fumes from your tank gases going through a charcol box and into your intake manifold to be burnt off through the engine. if these have had they're day you will get fumes. thats what they were designed to do.

mattxr8 · 27-04-2005, 09:53 PM

could be your fuel tank leaking. sounds a little left field, but as i recently found out in my xh ute, not entirely impossible. I got it patched through natrad and got a kit put through to ensure it didn't happen again.

**Polyal** · 27-04-2005, 10:15 PM

But thats just the thing. Im 99.9% sure its not a leak because Im not noticabley losing fuel. I understand that a leak woudl be very small, but its not like I start it up and notice that the level has gone done overnight.

sphell · 27-04-2005, 10:56 PM

I'm tipping you have an exhaust leak near the cat or something. My car is the same, i've put up with it for ages but it does get to you after a long trip...you actually do feel a bit sick. My exhaust is pretty rank, it leaks from just after the cat where the flange is. Stick your head under there with the car running and feel if there is any air blowing out the sides of the exhaust joins.

MotherNatureVer2 · 28-04-2005, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphell

I'm tipping you have an exhaust leak near the cat or something. My car is the same, i've put up with it for ages but it does get to you after a long trip...you actually do feel a bit sick. My exhaust is pretty rank, it leaks from just after the cat where the flange is. Stick your head under there with the car running and feel if there is any air blowing out the sides of the exhaust joins.

You beat me to it ......... Im getting a new zorst tomorrow because of this ..... well not only this ..... the fact that I have a huge hole in the Muffler & pipe ......

I know the fuel smell has only been there since I acquired the holes :(

Damo · 28-04-2005, 01:09 AM

i like the smell. I have zorst leaks too. :eclipsee_

chelvdog · 28-04-2005, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Strange thing is Im getting pretty good fuel consumption lately. Atleast 480-550 kays a tank.

Mate, I wish!!! Last time I filled up the ED I think I got 330kms out of the tank!!! But then again, the car will do 250kms and say half a tank and then get to 300kms and say it's near empty!