Gas Smell in Car
 

Hey guys today I smelt fuel in the car. Now I have read about this and I've heard many different things and a few possible scenarios on what it could be. Here are the facts.

I have an 2004 Mazda Rx8, MT, 101,246 km on it. Engine compression test done last July 2012, passed with high numbers. 8.2, 8.5, etc. Brand new Cat installed by Mazda last year under warranty. Car has stock exhaust, lowered on 19s with a front lip, side flares and back. Engine is stock, air box stock, etc. Car received an oil change at 100,200 km. Car has not been driven much since Dec 2012 because its winter and does go out for a rip at least once a week to keep everything going. The dip stick gets that foamy stuff which I'm aware of and nothing to really be worried about. But whats worrying me is the fuel smell...

Today it was nice so I took the car to work. Everything was good, driving good, running good. Today after work at around 8pm I began to smell fuel in the car. Very strong smell of fuel. Not a burning type smell but like the smell when your filling up at the pump - really rich. The car drove and ran good, pulled hard as always so no difference in that. The smell only occurs when I'm idling/sitting at a light/not moving. When I'm driving theres is no oder what so ever. The smell gets worse when I turn the heat on and the vents are blowing air, not so bad when their off. I don't wanna go to the dealer cause I know ill get raped. ANother thing is the other day my brother in law installed new rotors and filled up the car with *94* octane. THe car has always taken 91. COuld it be running rich? Therefor creating oder? Maybe an exhaust leak? The fuel gauge seems to be ok, burning fuel normally.

There is no oder under the car, no oder in the back. No oder near the fuel pump area (rear). I stuck my head under the hood, near the engine and no oder. No leaks from what I see. I smell the fuel a bit when the wind blew in the air from opening the hood but it was strongest in the car while idling..like it gave me a headache.

Any advice? SHould I go to the dealer? ANything I can do myself? :eyetwitch

when you idle car your car, look under your car, do you see anything dripping?

Idle for like 15 minutes.. somewhere outdoor, not in your garage.

Pull off the rear driver side seat bottom and remove the aluminum plate underneath.

Check for wetness on top of the fuel tank. I use paper towels to soak it up as sometimes there isn't much to see. It's likely that the o-ring or lock nut that seals the fuel pump is leaking.

/ this has happened to me several times

Brought the car out to the drive way and let it idle for 15-20min. Looked underneath and nothing dripping and no oder underneath.

Again the oder came back and strong when I turned the vents on in the cabin of the car. I poked my nose on the lining of the hood at the front of the car and smelt fuel. When I pop the hood it doesn't smell as bad cause the wind blew but I do smell it at the front of the car as well.

ive heard that can be an issue but wouldnt I smell fuel at the back? or in the rear area? the smell mainly comes from the front (under the hood) or through the vents when their blowing air. Also only when idling.

How about the fuel injectors?

I will also try doing what you suggested when I have time. Thanks :)

You should post this in the trouble shooting thread as well, you'll probably get more people looking at the thread that may have answers for you.

Just do what TheWulf suggested. Takes 1/2 hour and at least rules out this common problem.

https://www.rx8club.com/trouble-shoo...ng-gas-241018/

Gasoline is so volutile that sniff testing a small leak is unreliable.

Another source of leaks are the fuel-line connectors under the hood. Hoses themselves seldom fail.

Possibly, but once the air moves around the smell comes from everywhere. I doubt it would come from under the hood if this were the case though, but it's a simple thing to check.

Under the hood, I would check the injectors or the fuel rail. Although if it were leaking from here you would probably notice it very quickly...

Finding where something is can be greatly aided by finding where it isn't.

Longer shot: the OP mentioned a failed cat, but did not mention replacing ignition components. Cats usually fail from misfire producing a too-rich condition (given the good compression).

Check for fuel leaks first though. More than a few RX8s have burned to the ground as a result.

ill definitely do what TheWulf suggested once this snow clears up a bit and I can pull the 8 out.

The car also has a brand new cat installed by Mazda last july 2012. Car also has new plugs, coils and wires replaced Oct 2012.

ill start with the fuel tank and then check the injectors or fuel rail. Hopefully I find something or it'll have to go the dealer.