Baja mechanic says strong gas smell not a problem?

[joelbra]

So I've got a 90 V6 SR5 down in southern Baja. It's developed a strong, more or less permanent gas smell. There may be times when I can't smell gas, but I can smell it at least many hours after the engine has been off.

I take it to the local mechanic who says that it's not a problem.

What are the possible causes for smelling gas? I checked under the hood and can't smell it up there, so it seems to be coming from under the chasis somewhere.

 

[klr toy]

I would say that smelling gas is NOT normal and you should be a bit concerned. If you can smell it, that means fumes are present. The first thing I would check is your gas cap. It should maintain a certain amount of pressure in the tank. If you don't hear a slight hiss when you open the cap when fueling up, then chances are it is faulty. For what it's worth, I would try replacing it first and see if it fixes the problem. You can buy a new cap at just about any auto parts store or even Wal-Mart. If that's not it, then you need to look at the fuel pump and sender fittings on the top of the tank. I'm not sure about the newer generations, but on the first gens there is an access panel under the rear seat directly above the tank. Remove the panel and take a look to make sure all of the hoses are in good condition and in place. As a last check, inspect the actual hose that connects the filler pipe to the tank as well as the vent line that runs along with it. There is also a return hose going back to the tank from the injector rail, but you said you can't smell anything under the hood so I would start at the back and work your way forward. Also check for any rocks between the frame and the tank. I've seen a few holes in fuel tanks just from pebbles and such vibrating over a long period of time.

 

[joelbra]

Thanks! Will take a look and respond.

 

[joelbra]

There's pressure in the gas tank still -- I hear the vacuum break when I open the gas cap. To my thinking that eliminates a leak in the tank, no?

I'll have to have the mechanic check on your other suggestions -- thanks much for them -- as I can't find an access panel in my 2nd generation.

 

[joelbra]

So I just took it over to the mechanic and we got under it on a ramp. We looked at all of the hoses and looked or touched all the connections and couldn't find anything. Interestingly, I didn't smell gas when I was underneath.

Is there any way it could be from the exhaust system?

The next step, if it persists, will be to insist that he takes it all apart, but he insists all the connections and hoses are fine.

 

[klr toy]

No, probably not from the exhaust. One other thing that I thought of is the charcoal cannister under the hood (looks like a coffee can with a couple of hoses going into it). It is meant to filter out fumes from the fuel tank. Check that it is still connected. Maybe it needs to be replaced??? Never had to change one but there's a first for everything. If the fuel tank is holding pressure, then I would start looking for a small leak somewhere. The only other thing that I've ever come across was leaking injector seals on the engine or leaking fittings on the fuel filter. I can't really think of anything else to check. It would seem to me that your mechanic should have thought of checking these things on his own without having to have you tell him to do so...Just my opinion, but I would take it somewhere else and get a second opinion. Did he smell gas also, or was he just entertaining you?

 

[joelbra]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've tried all of them, including the charcoal. The only thing I can narrow it down to is the driver side rear of the car (around the rear wheel). The only thing near there (the tank, filter, gas cap are on the other side) is the muffler.

I'm going to take it to another mechanic for a second opinion when he has time.

It seem the consensus is that it can't be the muffler, no? I was thinking that maybe there is too much fuel being injected so that some of it is not being burned off -- but then it should be backfiring.

 

[tomhaney1]

Same thing is happening to our 03 Corolla. Fresh gas smell from the same area- sucks in the garage! You can even smell it while driving...