Really strong fuel smell from left side of 5VZFE engine.

[azcat90]

I finished maintenance project this week on my 1997 4Runner V6 where I did the following:


Replaced:

• Timing belt
• Water pump
• Crankshaft timing pulley
• Front crankshaft oil seal
• TB tensioner
• TB idler
• Thermostat (and gasket)
• Power steering belt
• Alternator belt
• AC Belt
• Plug wires (with NGK 4412 TE66 Wire Set)
• Spark plugs (with NGK Nickel Spark Plugs BKR5EKB-11)
• PCV
• PCV Grommet
• fuel injector o-rings (top and bottom)
• Valve cover gaskets
• Valve cover plug tube o rings
• Half moon seals
• Plenum 6 hole gaskets
• Intake manifold gasket
• Radiator hoses top and bottom
• Changed the oil and filter
• Put in new coolant and distilled water after I put radiator back in.

I noticed that before I took it off, the old original timing belt was off by two teeth on the crankshaft.

Got it all put back together on Wednesday night and it started up fine and ran well (I thought) - but last night (Thursday) I parked it in the garage - the garage and the living room (above garage) filled up with gas fumes. Really strong gas fume smell that seems to originate on the left side of the engine.

I took the plenum off this morning, re-seated the injectors on 2, 4 and 6 where i thought it was originating, made sure the fuel rail connections were all tight, could not find any hoses etc. disconnected but the problem is still there.

It has 285K miles.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[4Runner-Dan]

Check to verify that the actual injector seals have not been torn or degraded in any way. I had that problem recently. When trying to seat the fuel rail on the top of the injectors, that seal can get jacked fairly easily. I had to do it a couple of times to get it right. My advice would be to lube the seals with some WD-40 before putting the rail on and don't force it. Good luck!

 

[RunnerPDX]

Likely still to be your injector seals not seated properly. Did you coat them in bit of fuel when you put them back in?

Disconnect your spark, then crank the engine over a couple times to push fuel [while the plenum is off] to diagnose where the fuel is coming from...a soaked injector is easy to find. Don't crank to much...don't want all that extra fuel burning up your cat later...


Also, if you disconnected fuel rail at any spot besides where the fuel pressure regulator is...you have 2 O-rings for each bolt. You may have accidentally dropped one when disconnecting the rail...I had this happen to me and that will gush fuel if those are not in place.

 

[Ol'Blue]

I had the same problem when I was messing with my fuel injectors. One of them tore when I sat the rail down. I was leaking fuel down the back of the engine. If you have access a bore scope stick it ind r the intake and look at each onjector. I'm willing to bet one is not seated or you tore it.

Hope it helps man.

Blue

 

[azcat90]

#5 bottom o ring was torn. #6 bottom may have been torn or I tore it when I pulled it out. I didn't use any fuel/wd40 lubricant on the o-rings when i seated them before.

I think I could remove the intake on this engine in my sleep now.

 

[azcat90]

Thanks...

Went 12 miles stop and go traffic no smell.