|
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
12-30-2020, 09:43 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 521123
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Ventura, California
Vehicle:02' Legacy Wagon Metallic Green |
Smelling Gasoline
Ok only had this 02 Wagon for a month now and today I got a new random issue. I will spell out the details and see what you guys think.
This morning I went out and started my car up to let it warm up. I left it unattended for approximately 10 minutes. Upon getting into the car there was a strong smell of gasoline inside the car, such as if there was a open 5 gallon container of gas in the car. I got out of the car and looked under the car for leaking fuel, nothing and no smell from outside the car. Got back in the car and still the strong smell definitely inside the car. I popped the hood and again no leaks and no smell outside. I rolled the windows down and drove to work and the smell went away. Didn't smell it any other time today or since I have owned the car. Ok here are the details. 3/4 full tank of gas, cold start unattended for about 10 minutes, 35*F outside temp., heater set all the way hot on defrost, fan speed #2. No external leaks or outside smell, strong gasoline smell inside car. And the smell was not present when I first got into the car and started it. My thought/theory is perhaps something in the tank vent system froze and running the car was producing fuel vapors that where being forced past fuel tank/fuel pump seals and entering the interior compartment? Any other thoughts?
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
|
12-30-2020, 09:57 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 283429
Join Date: May 2011
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Down yonder.
Vehicle:2016 Fuji Sunfire 03 Silver |
If you don't have a check engine light and a code for large evap leak then it is usually seepage from the short pieces of hose on the fuel lines under the intake manifold. Time to replace those pieces of hose and the clamps. Might as well replace the hoses on the fuel filter and the return line too - nearly 20 years old.
|
12-30-2020, 10:45 PM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 94408
Join Date: Aug 2005
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: Canada
Vehicle:17 STI Sport-Tech 20 Corolla Hybrid Premium |
I second the hose/clamp issue. Had it happen to me on my previous 06.
|
12-30-2020, 11:24 PM | #4 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 487451
Join Date: Jun 2018
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: Quebec, Canada
Vehicle:2004 Forester 2.5XT Java Black Pearl |
Definitely, intake manifold fuel lines leaking.
I have that exact problem on my FXT right now, this fix cannot be done without removing the intake manifold. So better replace the gaskets for that too! |
12-31-2020, 07:18 AM | #5 |
Add Lightness
Moderator Member#: 13699
Join Date: Dec 2001
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Hopkinton, MA
Vehicle:2021 Building It Better |
The car is old enough that it's about time to replace every single rubber piece on the car. Vacuum lines, brake lines, fuel lines, not to mention all the belts and hoses.
|
12-31-2020, 10:08 AM | #6 | ||
Scooby Guru
Member#: 21145
Join Date: Jul 2002
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Not in my own time
Vehicle:2002 Enemy of Aku |
Quote:
If these were fairly new hoses, you could just tighten the clamps and you would be fine. Presuming that they probably are close to original hoses, best to completely replace all rubber fuel lines under the hood. Same would go for any other rubber hosing, ie; vacuum lines, heater hoses, etc. Bets to check them all over. IIRC, there was a TSB on this issue many years ago so it's not surprising to hear. Quote:
When have you carried an open 5 gallon pail of gasoline in your car? |
||
12-31-2020, 03:44 PM | #7 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 521340
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Delaware
Vehicle:2002 Wrx Silver |
Sometimes in the cold the fuel regulator gets thrown off. It happens in mine to. Excess gas fumes get sent through the exhaust.
|
12-31-2020, 04:14 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 521341
Join Date: Dec 2020
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: CO
Vehicle:2004 WRX wagon WRB |
gas smell
Hey there. I have an 04 wagon and have had this issue multiple times over the years. I have had my fuel lines repaired twice, but the issue persists. Last time i took the it in for it they found no leaks or other issues.
Worse in cold weather, or after I haven't driven in a couple days. Starting to think it just comes with the territory of an older Sube. |
01-29-2021, 09:20 PM | #9 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 173499
Join Date: Mar 2008
|
Sorry for digging this topic up again, but I have this same issue. I have an 04' WRX and when it's cold out and I step into my garage, it smells heavily of gasoline fumes.
Casual investigation inside the engine compartment and underneath the vehicle shows no visible leaks or drips (although I know that gasoline evaporates very quickly)... What is the recommended maintenance procedure to inspect, service, or replace fuel train components? Is there a guide somewhere? Thanks in advance. |
01-29-2021, 10:02 PM | #10 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 110078
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Long Island N.Y.
Vehicle:02 Bugeye JDM STi OBP BLACK |
Quote:
The fuel smell is probably from the fuel hoses under the intake manifold, it’s a rather common and known issue on GD’s such as yours. |
|
01-30-2021, 09:39 AM | #11 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 21145
Join Date: Jul 2002
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Not in my own time
Vehicle:2002 Enemy of Aku |
Quote:
As has been stated numerous times over the years, best, cheapest, fastest solution is to tighten all the fuel line hose clamps under the manifold. If it is the standard, known issue, this will clear up the problem and most likely will not re-appear for another year. If it doesn't work, you may need to replace the fuel lines under the manifold. You can either buy OEM from the Dealer and pay out your butt or just go to a local auto parts store and buy some 3/8" fuel line. |
|
01-30-2021, 06:17 PM | #12 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 173499
Join Date: Mar 2008
|
Quote:
Also, since the fuel system is involved, is there anything I need to be extra cautious about? Is fuel going to spill out everywhere as soon as I start removing the old lines? Does the system need to have some sort of purge after installing the new lines, or can you start the engine up at that point? |
|
01-30-2021, 08:50 PM | #13 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 297799
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Knoxville, TN
Vehicle:2003 WRX EJ207 version 8 |
Quote:
In my experience, the gasoline smell was usually a loose clamp. You can push on them with a screwdriver to see if they spin easily. As for opening up the fuel system, if you have recently driven the car, then you will need to relieve the pressure in the fuel system after the car cools down. Pull the relay under the passenger kick panel (green harness, white relay; pic in link below). Start the car and let it run until it dies. If the car has sat overnight then I usually don't bother, but YMMV. Some fuel will still come out so have something ready to catch whatever you can. https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho...21&postcount=3 Before starting the car, prime the fuel pump a few times to build pressure in the system. The sound of the pump will change and become more muted. |
|
01-31-2021, 01:45 AM | #14 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 58485
Join Date: Mar 2004
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Chicago IL
Vehicle:2004 RASC.207 WRX 5M PSM |
I would just like to interject on this thread based on a recent revelation on my 04 wrx. Raw fuel smell, stronger as it got colder, just assumed it was the damned clamps again. Then it got worse and I figured there was a hose leaking from when I replaced my fuel pump a couple years ago. Pull back seat and find out there is raw fuel leaching up from what I assume is a leaking tank What a **** storm thinking my kids car seat sits above that leak. Will respond when I drop the tank and confirm a leaking tank. Hate the salt belt.
|
01-31-2021, 06:57 AM | #15 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 110078
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Long Island N.Y.
Vehicle:02 Bugeye JDM STi OBP BLACK |
Had to replace the tank on one of my wagons 2 years ago, wasn’t a fun job. It was easy to tell that the leak was from the fuel tank, I could see a small fuel puddle form on the ground as I filled up the tank. If fuel is leaking under the intake manifold is also easy to tell. After the car sits cold, start it and pop open the hood, stick you nose near the intake manifold, should be easy to smell raw fuel.
|
02-01-2021, 12:55 PM | #16 | |
Big Ron
Super Moderator Member#: 18062
Join Date: Apr 2002
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: I can save you a ton of cash
Vehicle:on car parts so PM me b4 j00 buy |
Quote:
|
|
02-01-2021, 12:57 PM | #17 | |
Big Ron
Super Moderator Member#: 18062
Join Date: Apr 2002
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: I can save you a ton of cash
Vehicle:on car parts so PM me b4 j00 buy |
Quote:
|
|
02-01-2021, 11:09 PM | #18 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 110078
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Long Island N.Y.
Vehicle:02 Bugeye JDM STi OBP BLACK |
My tank was leaking thru a seam, northeast rust related.
|
02-03-2021, 08:06 PM | #19 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 45076
Join Date: Oct 2003
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Rockland County, NY
Vehicle:2004 Stg 2 wagon AT 16 BRZ. Both silver |
I had this for years. Smelled when it got into the teens. Finally took the manifold off and changed all the rubber fuel lines and the metal lines. Subaru sells a kit with most of the stuff.
|
02-04-2021, 05:06 PM | #20 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 522156
Join Date: Feb 2021
|
|
02-21-2021, 09:59 AM | #21 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 26770
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: Tampa
Vehicle:'02 WRX midnight black |
fuel smell
I had the same smell in 03 or 04, there was a recall for fuel injector orings that when cold out would harden or contract enough for exactly the same symptoms you described.
|
03-04-2021, 02:49 AM | #22 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 522700
Join Date: Mar 2021
|
maybe your cars running rich... easily could need a tune and be smelling a lot of gas...
|
03-30-2021, 09:30 AM | #23 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 8641
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Backwater CO USA
Vehicle:2002 WRX DayGlo Blue 2001 S2000, 2017 FoRS |
recall
I'm surprised nobody in this thread mentioned the recall. Fuel smell at cold temps is a standard problem with bugeyes. Subaru issued a recall a long time ago and I had mine fixed at the dealer for free.
The issue is the fuel rail connections under the intake manifold. There are numerous pics of TSBs and recall notices here on nasioc somewhere if you search. And yes the smell was much worse INSIDE the cabin than outside. Not exactly sure why though. |
03-30-2021, 11:49 AM | #24 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 508105
Join Date: Nov 2019
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Vehicle:Link G4X flex tuned 02' EJ205 20G 6MT wagon |
Quote:
|
|
03-30-2021, 12:01 PM | #25 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 8641
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Backwater CO USA
Vehicle:2002 WRX DayGlo Blue 2001 S2000, 2017 FoRS |
Quote:
Summary SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 IMPREZA WRX VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF SOUTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, IDAHO, IOWA, MONTANA, COLORADO, WISCONSIN, NEW YORK, WYOMING, MICHIGAN, ALASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, AND MAINE. DURING COLD STARTS, TYPICALLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, FUEL LEAKS IN THE FUEL DELIVERY LINE COULD OCCUR WHERE THE LINE CONNECTS WITH A RUBBER HOSE. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|