Gas Smell @ Idle

[Scotty_T]

Recently my 4runner has had a horrible gas odor near the front door area of the vehicle when it is sitting idling, like when I start it up in the morning to warm up and thaw out the windshield before I go to work, any ideas as to what this may be from? It isn't my fuel filter, haven't found any leaks there nor anywhere else on the motor, need some suggestions of what to look for. Thanks in advance guys!!

 

[BTO]

It could be the fuel filter is leaking. That's about where it it located. Underneath near the door attached to the frame. Start it up and climb under there to see if it leaks or run your hand around there. You can try tightening the connectors with a box wrench. It has been posted that many people get leaks after having the fuel filter replaced because they cross thread the darn things. I did not have a problem with ours.

 

[Scotty_T]

It could be the fuel filter is leaking. That's about where it it located. Underneath near the door attached to the frame. Start it up and climb under there to see if it leaks or run your hand around there. You can try tightening the connectors with a box wrench. It has been posted that many people get leaks after having the fuel filter replaced because they cross thread the darn things. I did not have a problem with ours.

i have checked under there and have not found anything gas to be leaking from there....

 

[R.A.]

If the gas smell only occurs at idle - (during warm up), then I wouldn't be worried about it. It's a normal condition during cold weather to run a little rich. If this is happening all the time, then I would be concerned. My 04 does this when it's cold and then disappears after the engine gets warmed off; generally within 5 minutes or so.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

I Just fixed a similar issue on my 93' 3.0L. The Pulsation Damper on the back of the pass side fuel rail was leaking. It would only do it when cold. When it warmed up, things would expand and it would stop leaking. I was able to reach under there when I smelled it and felt it leak. I never noticed any fuel drop, but it scared me knowing that the exhaust crossover tube was right there. So, I had to know for sure.

I had to pull the intake penlum to get to it. While there I also did the valve cover gaskets since I was down that far anyway.

 

[Scotty_T]

This has been going on for a while, before it got cold out, it has jest gotten worse, and does the 96+ models have a pulsation damper that I should check on? It's bad, to the point I can tell it is cutting into my uel mileage, I have not seen a 300 mile gas tank in a while!!

 

[Scotty_T]

could this be caused by a cat going bad, i have experienced a sulfer like smell as well as a rough idle that almost feels like a mis recently....

 

[Scotty_T]

Anyone here have an ideas?

 

[kball]

I'm thinking you have an exhaust leak. When it's cold and you start it up it runs rich at first like was said earlier. The exhaust leaks out and you smell gas. As it gets warm it expands and seals up so you don't smell it when it's hot. My Dakota does the same thing. When I start it up I can hear the leak and it goes away quick.

 

[Scotty_T]

I'm thinking you have an exhaust leak. When it's cold and you start it up it runs rich at first like was said earlier. The exhaust leaks out and you smell gas. As it gets warm it expands and seals up so you don't smell it when it's hot. My Dakota does the same thing. When I start it up I can hear the leak and it goes away quick.

it smells like gas anytime i let it sit and idle for like 5-10 minutes, doesn't matter if it is start up or after running for an hours and then parking and letting it sit and idle...

 

[Scotty_T]

OK guys, I'm still stuck with a gas smell, I'm leaking somewhere cause it is deff. effecting my mileage now, any ideas as to what I should check. I have seen on the older 4runners about a pulsation damper, do our gen3's have them?

 

[Jon]

So you're sure this is a raw fuel smell like when pumping gas and not rich exhaust?

The only other place to have an easy leak other than the motor will be at the tank. Is the smell inside the car too? You can check this by pilling up the back passenger seat bottom, pull the carpet back and there's the fuel pump. If it's leaking there, you'll know immediately.

But since you can't find any leaks on the ground it makes me think that it's probably a leak at the engine. If you have a small fuel leak at the engine it is more than likely evaporating before it has a chance to leak to the ground.

Keep looking, you'll find it.

 

[Scotty_T]

OK, so now I am getting a raw gas smell while driving, and my gas mileage is getting even worse, I am luck to get 200 miles to a full tank!

 

[Scotty_T]

im down to about 150 miles for a full tank, help guys, if not this thing is gone!!

 

[RHeld24]

Sounds like something in the engine bay, for a couple reasons...

1. Parts in the engine bay expand and contract with heat, which would make an already failing part degrade faster (explaining the gas mileage within the last few weeks).

2. You smell raw gas when driving now, which would only come in through the hvac vents at the base of the windshield (supposing that you already checked the fuel filter and tank/pump).

I'd suggest you let it idle until you can smell the raw fuel again. Pop the hood, and take a whiff (or sniff the body panel gaps between the hood and front fender panels without opening the hood). If the raw fuel smell is stronger, I would think that the leak is in the engine bay.

 

[Scotty_T]

I'd suggest you let it idle until you can smell the raw fuel again. Pop the hood, and take a whiff (or sniff the body panel gaps between the hood and front fender panels without opening the hood). If the raw fuel smell is stronger, I would think that the leak is in the engine bay.

i have tried that and can't find it, it baffled the living **** outta me!!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

i have tried that and can't find it, it baffled the living **** outta me!!

Sometimes, it's actually worth going to a mechanic... just make sure he knows his 4Runners.

Sorry dude.

 

[Scotty_T]

Sometimes, it's actually worth going to a mechanic... just make sure he knows his 4Runners.

Sorry dude.

thats what im about to do, just sucks since i have no income as of right now

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

thats what im about to do, just sucks since i have no income as of right now

Wish you were closer, buddy of mine owns a shop and is a Toyota genius. He is the type that always has problems identified, fixed, then has your truck in your driveway within the day. I've watched him take out my entire transmission in less than 10 minutes.

Nice on labor costs

 

[Scotty_T]

damn, sounds good, wish I was closer!