Fuel Smell in Cabin (again)

[fishrod]

I again have this bad fuel smell in the cabin of my 4runner. It seems to go away a bit during extreme cold waether (-10C and below) but since the weather has been hovering around 0C its back again!!



Ive taken it to a mechanic friend of mine who doesnt seem to want to take on the job. I think he's worried he will spend a heap of time on the issue and not find anything and then feel bad about charging me for not fixing it!



Id rather he do it for $40/hour than a shop for $80/hour!!



We have checked the fuel lines all the way from the tank to the filter and into the engine bay. Followed the lines all the way into where it goes into the engine and there are no physical leaks that we can see.



Im guessing the issue is in under the intake there which is probably going to be a bit of a job to get off.



Anyone know how long it takes to get all that off to take a look?



Anyone had a similar issue like this and might know of some places to start looking?



Not sure if this helps but I do run the heater/defroster alot these days so maybe the smell is coming in via the heater somewhere if that might give a clue (it may just be coincidence)



Although, I can only smell the fuel when stopped at lights or at the end of a trip. It doesnt smell when driving around.



Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[the_dingman]

The #1 fuel injector on my 22RE sometimes leaks at the rail in hot weather. It's done that since I had the injectors cleaned, even after changing the rubber seal 5 times.

There's not a lot of places for fuel to leak on these engines. It's a straight shot from the tank to the injector rail. Unless it's an issue with the vapor recovery system.

What engine?

 

[bigbsvo]

V6 or 4 Cyl?

The intake plenum on the V6 isn't that bad to remove. I'm willing to bet the pressure regulator is leaking. Not really that bad of a job if your knowledgeable about engines.

I would use a mirror and a flashlight to look at the back of the intake where the fuel rails are and the regulator is at the back of the rail, use the mirror and flashlight, turn the key on without starting the engine and look at the regulator to see if it's leaking.

You can do it!

 

[fourwd1]

You could have a bad o-ring on any of the injectors, or it could be fuel pulse damper or the fuel pressure regulator.

 

[fishrod]

V6 or 4 Cyl?

The intake plenum on the V6 isn't that bad to remove. I'm willing to bet the pressure regulator is leaking. Not really that bad of a job if your knowledgeable about engines.

I would use a mirror and a flashlight to look at the back of the intake where the fuel rails are and the regulator is at the back of the rail, use the mirror and flashlight, turn the key on without starting the engine and look at the regulator to see if it's leaking.

You can do it!

Ok thanks, I thought the fuel pressure regulator was on the top of the engine there, sorta near the EGR? Maybe im thinking of something else.

94' 3vze 5spd, lots of miles

 

[KidVermicious]

How's your engine running? My TPS was just out, and my exhaust had a strong gas smell to it until I got it fixed. Something to look at if the other answers don't work out.

 

[fishrod]

It still runs fine and from what I can tell there is minimal or no loss in MPG. Hard to tell as its so cold I let it warm up for 5 mins or so before to/from work etc. Also, it could just be a small leak and not really noticable.

 

[olaftheswedish]

Could exhaust gases be getting into the cabin through a bad seal/weather stripping somewhere? if its when your sitting it may explain why you don't smell it while driving.

 

[s2kpuddydad]

I know this may seem a bit to simple but, have you checked the gas cap at the fill neck?
If I do not screw my gas cap back on just right I will get a fuel smell in the cabin. You gas cap or fill neck maybe not sealing just right.

 

[fishrod]

Bad Injector

So it was a bad injector under the plenum. Mechanic replaced the whole injector as he wasnt sure if it was the O ring or not. He had a spare 3vze laying around so that worked out well, got a 2nd hand injector for 20 bucks or something.

No more fuel smell!!