Hey guys,

After I did my huge 96K service, I noticed that on and off (when driving at city speeds) I would get a strong gas-type odour! However, it only comes on for about five seconds and then goes away. At first, I thought it was other cars, but now I get it like once a day....and I'm concerned because me and my passengers are inhaling these fumes that are probably deadly!?

What do you guys think it could be....my cat is bad? Or perhaps the fuel stabilizer I put into my car when storing it during the winter? Or do you think Mazda may have messed it up when they did that huge service for me, because before that, I had never experienced this smell?

Thanks,

Ben.

 

Raw gasoline fumes smell (to me) much different than that of the odor given by a failed catalytic.

I can't comment on the toxicity of such things but for the best huff'n you should use gold spray paint.

Check under the hood and see if any of the fuel lines are leaking, its possible.

 

Had the same thing happen to me..its in the shop as I type, service manager said the injector and injector seals have to be replaced!!! Still under warranty...so heres hoping its all good!!!

 

Yeah ... most likely this is a seal leak on the injectors or the charcoal canister. You should be able to smell in under the hood when you open it if this is the case. Could also be a problem with the fuel rail, although I would think it to be unlikely.

 

Guess what guys....Mazda checked it out this morning and here is their diagnosis: I had it rustproofed last year and the rustproofing is heating up on the fuel lines in the engine bay. It will burn off so until then the smell might come and go....but thank God that the fuel lines are okay.

 

ok ... so no problem except for the nauseating smell from time to time. Hopefully it does not continue for much longer.

 

I had this exact problem a few years back. Turned out an injector was leaking. It took them a while to spot it too.

 

When I did the huge 96K service, I thought they would have checked everything....should I ask them to check the injectors as well on my next service?

 

I don't think they check injectors as part of regular servicing (I could be wrong though). You may have to mention it to them.

Though the rotaries to tend to smell a lot more like fuel than other cars, I've noticed that even with the stock exhaust and cat in place. Could be normal.