Gasoline Odor in Car

I have a 2002 Subaru WRX. Has anyone heard of having a gasoline odor coming through the vents, due to the cold weather? I have had the car for 2 years now and the first winter was fine. However, this year there was a strong gasoline odor coming through the vents of the engine.

 

tis common in cold weather. new fuel rails fixed mine.

 

first, welcome to the club!! As stated, very common problem with the rubber connections on the hard fuel lines. The clamps need to be tightened or lines/hoses replaced. Unfortunately replacement is not for the typical garage type mechanic as you have to remove the intake manifold.

if you have any further questions please post...we'll do our best to help you. If you want the dealer to take care of this problem reach out to the guys at minnetonka subaru, a bunch of them are club members and will not steer you wrong. plus you get a parts and labor discount from them because you're now a member of the site.

 

I actually enjoy this smell, especially in the morning! Really wakes me up, but i've had the problem for probably 2 years now and nothing bad has happened so I have never fixed it... It's a cosmetic problem imho, if you hate the smell of gas fix it, otherwise enjoy it.

 

Cut him a break it was his first post, if he had a higher post count then fine. Here is a link with pictures as to what it most often culprit is. tends to show up more in cold weather. http://www.mnsubaru.com/forums/showpost.php?p=393788&postcount=1

Some further info
Post #4 has links to the log of people and the SOA bulletin about it.
http://www.mnsubaru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20913&highlight=gas+smell

 

I recommend taking it in to the dealer if you have any warranty left, they did mine in about a day.

 

I was under the impression that because it was a FSB Subaru would have to do it for free?

 

only if your car is under warranty

 

anyways, how much is it to fix it erik?

 

The fix per the TSB is about $430 (parts and labor). It will fix the leak for sure. SOA may occasionally pick up the bill, or part of the bill. Tightening the clamps also seems to work in many instances and is a heck of a lot cheaper. For me, it eventually became a health issue (mine and the planet) and a mileage issue.

 

BINGO, same as me. 02 WRX. I currently have the same problem. I took it to BP Subaru and they said its my intake gaskets and some fuel pipes. Paid $70 for parts(mnSubie discount included). But I ain't paying $400 for labor. I'm scheduling up to have it done at RSmotors in Burnsville(bikerboy). oh yea, and i paid $118 just for the inpection alone(damn it...).

On cold start-ups, warm up your motor and waite about 5-10min and look at the place under your alterntor, a little to the left. If you see something soaking up that area then its gasoline. Anyways thats my problem with mine.

 

I would try tightening the clamps first, when I called the dealership about this exact same issue, they said that is what they would do and charge me $200.

If you can still smell it after that, then you should look to replacing the hoses/clamps etc

 

Or your car could be dumb like mine and actually be leaking fuel and you just cant see it:dunno:

 

how much is RS charging you to do this?

 

Gasoline ODOR JAM

The dealer said that it is about a $700 fix. Apparently the Fuel hose and rail need replacing for that year (Per Subaru bullatin). After further inspection from the so called subaru mechanic, he told me that this part is replaced already. So, they tried to tighten some of the clamps and still no fix. I can bear the smell of gas, but it is probably not good for my kids.

I have a extended warranty, but there are some mods done to my car when I purchased it (Braided fuel line, Downpipe, Exhaust, Air Intake) from the dealership. Now I come to find out that Burnsville Subaru is now Walser Subaru. The new dealership owner is voiding my extended warranty because of the mods on my WRX and the old dealership is asking me to contact Subaru directly if Walser does not fix if for me. Any suggestions.

 

I would tell them that you bught the car from them and ask them how they feel that they can void the warrenty

 

call SOA directly and explain the situation 1-800-subaru-3 if they say it is a no go, tell them you want the $$$ back for the warranty. Providing the warranty is through subaru and not a no-name aftermarket one. If it is a no-name aftermarket warranty go else where.

 

or your money back on the car and get another one?? mislead about warranty that come with mods etc...

oh and mine is smelling particularly bad this winter... mmmmm at least I get my money's worth out of what I pay for gas, my car burns it & I get to smell it...

 

So then ... why hasn't THIS thread been locked if IT is a repost??

 

I called them, ranging from $200-250. Depends on if they ran into problems. Thats for replacing intake gaskets and fuel pipe.

 

Yeah, it's a repost..but the thread was started by a new member regarding his questions so there's no need to worry about it.

 

I've had this smell as well, and thanks to this site and the others linked to as well, there is good information.

I noted that someone had used a different type of hose to make the connection instead of the OEM hose that does not flex when cold.

Is it worth using a different type of hose to make the connection instead of going thru the dealership and instaling the new pipe and hose set as outlined in the TSB: 09-36-03?


If a different type of hose is a good fix, what would that type of hose be? What's it called, and is it available at most reputable auto parts stores?

If any of you have done a fix yourself, would you be interested in helping a newbie to do the install?

 

^^^ napa. High pressure fuel line should do it, I think they sell it by the foot.