Changed fuel filter but now strong gas smell

[calnhob]

So I changed the fuel filter this past weekend and now there's a strong gas smell when starting the car, last about a minute. I checked around the filter thinking there was a leak but no leaks found. No CEL and everything runs fine.

I'm wondering if the ECU needs to adjust the air/fuel mixture.

Anyone else have similar issues after changing the filter?

 

[Road Bull]

I would say get under there and take a good long look at those filter threads. I thought mine was seated nice, clean, and tight. I noticed a small leak. Like, it was taking a long time for a drop to form, but it WAS leaking. Upon removal and close inspection, I found a small, like pretty freakin small piece of debris had gotten between the threads as I tried to speed up the installation and avoid excessive fuel loss. This prevented the fuel filter from properly seating on one side. I removed filter, cleaned up the threads on both ends and tightened it back down. That fixed mine. But you shouldn't be smelling gas.

 

[RS Dude]

Years back I bought a Fram filter that didn't seat properly at the union. Returned it for another, which had the same problem. Returned second Fram filter and bought a Bosch filter that worked perfectly. :whoo:

 

[alumarine]

It won't be the ECU.

 

[Amonk1]

Pull out the EFI in your circuit box for ~20 minutes to reset your computer. Though I think your problem is more likely a small undetected leak at your filter. I recently swapped my filter and I had to go at the threads with a wire brush to stop it from leaking.

 

[SaulG]

Fuel lines were notoriously over torqued from factory deforming the flare on the line. If it is wet at all you may get away with tightening it a little more.
Have you checked the regulator and rail damper ?

 

[calnhob]

It was a PITA to get the line existing the filter to seat properly so maybe that's the leak. Will check again when I get home.

And it was a FRAM filter and I was rushing a little cause the gas smell was so strong plus GOT was starting. :dizzy:


Not sure where the regulator and rail damper are located, I'll have to YTube it.