Bad gas smell?
 

2006, GT, MT, 74K...been really reliable with only an alternator and fan blower replaced. I drive it like I stole it every day.

Wife has said the garage stinks the last 2-weeks after she gets home. I thought nothing of it at the time. Then we took a road trip this weekend.

Back windows open...STINK like gas. So we get out and walk around the car in the lot...can't smell a thing. Aired it out.

So driving with the windows closed...no smell. It's not getting in from inside the car.

Open back up those rear windows...15-seconds...PU! So we roll down the fronts.

All windows open and it was smell-free until we got off the highway. At slower speeds and stop lights the smell is there.

Got home...garage smelled all night long though we can't find any drops on the ground.

Not sure where to look?

Not sure we should drive it?

Ideas folks?

im going to assume its your cat,

others will chime in on the subject but my first place to look will be your cat, since you are at 74k you can still get it changed for free.

Thanks! I thought of that as well.

I also read the thread about the gas smell coming from the fuel lines by the tank and/or pump. We'll check that.

I SHOULD THROW THIS IN TOO....we all know our 8's idle a bit rough...not bad though. Doesn't bother me. It MIGHT be in my head, but I'm pretty in-tune to how my vehicles run and sound...but I think the idle was a bit on the rough side yesterday when we were driving home and smelling the gas. Not sure if this info raises any flags?

most likely the cat because after i replaced the cat and resinator with a midpipe the shit stinks lol....

My car smells like gas when I have the front windows down at low speeds but my CAT has been punished in the previous months with bad coils and I mean really bad. So just fixing the CAT might just be considered a band-aid. If you have never replaced the coils, than at least have them checked out along with your plugs and wires. The smell, smells like fuel right? my garage every once in a while smells like fuel too. I havent gotten the CAT inspected but thats what I am assuming considering bad ignition can kill a CAT.

Hmmm, very good point! And yes...smells like un-burnt gas...a gas can smell though we've never smelled this until a couple of weeks ago.

I wonder how they actually "inspect" the cat?

EXHAUST COMPONENT
INSPECTION

Check manifold and exhaust pipes for leaks

Check for any physical damage to the converter housing.

Inspect O2 sensor wiring to ensure good contact at the connectors and no damage or shorted wires.


UPON REMOVAL OF
CONVERTER

Melted substrate

Check for missing, cracked or loose substrate

Severe discoloration indicating excessive temperature

Excessive build-up of carbon, soot or oil on the inside of converter and/or connecting pipes.

WOW! They remove it to inspect it! I'm a dumb dumb on exhaust stuff.

Just take it to a reputable Mazda mechanic and have him look at it. The idle could be many variables including the coils, plugs, wires. Read a DIY here on how to clean the MAF sensor. You may even need the throttle body cleaned.
Check your ignition system and make sure nothing is loose. You may need to look inside your intake sytem to make sure the two mesh screens are properly aligned and not bent. Also have your motor mounts inspected (huge cause of rough idling). You can also read a DIY on how to reset your EShaft sensor if everything else seems fine.

if its not your cat, a couple of people have had leaks in the fuel pump. just an option b if your cat turns out ok.

Some people have had problems with leaking around the fuel rail and the injectors too. That may be a place to look.
If the problem isn't the cat, you have a dangerous situation that needs to be looked into.

Well thanks guys! Considering the CAT is in warranty I'm going to head to the dealer for this. Don't want to take any chances. They always treat me well. I'll report back.

CRAP! $1350! Leaking at the fuel pump. I need the pump, the main fuel line, some gaskets and $440 in labor. Thank goodness I have a 15% off coupon I can use to discount that.

Seems like an excessive amount to fix a leak at the pump? I think I should just do it...don't want to take chances on gas crap! ???

Might be a good time to do the BHR fuel pump mod rather than forking out that much cash for a new stock (weak) one.

^ That wouldn't fix his leak problem. The OEM pump may not be a problem for him.

I think because it's a gas leak I want to stay stock and have the dealer do it. If something happens afterwards it's on them. I think it's worth the premium in THIS case.

I have to agree on the "It's on them". Which gaskets and why the replacement fuel line?
Is it leaking between the discharge nipple and fuel line quik-disconnect?

I'm waiting for a call-back with more details.

Whats the gasket for? When this happened to me, I only replaced the fuel line and pump. Buy it and do it yourself. Easy job.

woohoo I called it lol. I have been seeing and reading more and more on people having leaks at the fuel pump inside the car.

great, so that may be my issue but I dont smell it all the time and am too lazy to tear out the passenger seat:)

well if you do lemme know how the upper seat belt bracket comes out in the rear lol.

To get to the fuel pump, you just lift the seat part up. No need to touch the back park of the seat.

Well...good thing my personal mechanic came back into town. He told me to bring it to him. I did just that.

He inspected the leak and it was the flat plastic side outlet of the fuel pump. (Just like in another thread) He said the design is flawed and that the plastic is too thin at that spot and therefore the crack down the outlet. He told Mazda they shoud recall these when he went down to buy the part.

At Mazda they said he needed the round plastic gasket ($128) as nobody at Mazda has ever replaced one without breaking it. My guy passed and he was able to re-use the old gasket. ;)

Mazda also told him he'd need the $111 rubber ring gasket and fro the same reason...they get messed up upon removal and do to the fact gas gets on the rubber. My guy passed and he re-used the old gasket. ;)

They also told him he needed the $150+ fuel line that exits the fuel pump as they leak too. He passed on this too as he said it made no sense. ;)

So, for $500 my Rx8 is fixed. No leaks...didn't get robbed on the parts. Life is good. I cannot complain as my 8 has been trouble-free all this time. Thanks for your help guys! No more smelly ride.

Replacement of the fuel line was a dead give a way..........