Major gasoline smell while vehicle running!

[Daveed]

This started intermittently about a month ago. Got really bad recently. Gasoline smell is almost overpowering while the vehicle is running. Goes away quickly when the vehicle is turned off. Is most noticeable at a stoplight or while moving slowly (corners etc).
I looked underneath at the fuel filter and didn't see any leaks, poked around in the engine compartment but couldn't find any obvious leaks yet.

ANy ideas would be greatly appreciated!


PS 1990 V6 with a stick.

 

[regularguy412]

Check around underneath the passenger side of the intake plenum -- near the firewall. There's a fuel damper on the back end of the fuel rail, there. The rubber inside the damper is known to get hard and crack, over time. That lets fuel leak onto the top of the engine and the fumes get drawn into the cooling/heater fan system. Replacement ususally means removing the top part of the plenum to get at it.

Mike in AR

 

[Daveed]

Thanks for the tip. I was poking around there last night and think I spotted the thing you are referring to...had to use a mirro to see it though. Replacement looks like a pita

 

[fourwd1]

Also check the injectors, the o-rings get brittle and leak there.

 

[Daveed]

Will do. Thanks.
The thing hasn't done the gas smell since my first post...as far as I can tell it is an intermittent kind of thing which are usually the hardest to pinpoint. At least I've got a couple things to check. Thanks!

 

[OSIRIS]

you should remove your entire engine and send it to me. Then you won't smell anymore gas fumes.

 

[Daveed]

:biggrin2: LOL that would fix it!

This motor leaks oil like a sieve (spelling?) but it gets 22 mpg consistently. It has gotten 20mpg since I got it 90,000miles ago and recently I pumped the tires up to 50psi and it got another two mpg out of the last two tanks. This kind of mileageis virtually unheard of with a 4runner...usually cause people put big tires on them. I've stayed with 235s cause this is not a wheeler (being a stickshift helps as does my glacial speed driving )