Very strong smell of fuel on 1.8

[Britain4]

Just bought a 1.8 non turbo from a family member to use as a work runabout. It's in great shape just needs a couple of small bits doing like the thermostat and a full service.

Main problem is the very strong raw fuel smell coming from the engine bay (I think, it's so strong it's hard to pinpoint it) when the engine is running. It vents into the cabin when the blowers are on and absolutely stinks so I want to get it sorted before I start using it. It's so strong you would expect it to be peeing fuel out but I can't see any leaks at all and I think fuel consumption is about right considering it's not warming up properly ATM.

Can't see any obvious fuel leaks around the injectors etc or any of the visible fuel lines, nor is there ever any petrol on the floor whether it's been idling or stopped. The smell goes away just about instantly when the engine's shut off.

Any common areas to look for for leaks etc as I can't see anything out of the ordinary and I'm a bit lost!

The smell's just as strong under the car as it is in the engine bay, really hard to try and pinpoint it when the whole car just stinks of it all round...

[Alan02]

Try peeling back the drivers wheel arch liner.Youll need Torx bit to remove screws and look up into wheel arch where youll see the Charcoal filter for the fuel tank. It vents fumes from tank and is controlled by ecu. Check hoses etc.

[Britain4]

Cheers for that, I'll have a look tomorrow see if I can spot any split hoses etc?

[niall campbell]

is it leaking exhaust with risk of poisoning ?

[sammydfp36]

Just bought a 1.8 non turbo from a family member to use as a work runabout. It's in great shape just needs a couple of small bits doing like the thermostat and a full service.

Main problem is the very strong raw fuel smell coming from the engine bay (I think, it's so strong it's hard to pinpoint it) when the engine is running. It vents into the cabin when the blowers are on and absolutely stinks so I want to get it sorted before I start using it. It's so strong you would expect it to be peeing fuel out but I can't see any leaks at all and I think fuel consumption is about right considering it's not warming up properly ATM.



Can't see any obvious fuel leaks around the injectors etc or any of the visible fuel lines, nor is there ever any petrol on the floor whether it's been idling or stopped. The smell goes away just about instantly when the engine's shut off.

Any common areas to look for for leaks etc as I can't see anything out of the ordinary and I'm a bit lost!

The smell's just as strong under the car as it is in the engine bay, really hard to try and pinpoint it when the whole car just stinks of it all round...

Since it's potent in the engine bay, one would assume that it would be coming from a common source. Recheck your injector's , leak off pipes / rails and any braided fuel lines they are usually quite dubious. Also check your fuel filter to see if it's lose or leaking and finally check your fuel pump, tho it's uncommon on these engines your fuel pump seal might be on its way out.. but with lack of a leak it's hard to pinpoint as you say.

[Britain4]

Since it's potent in the engine bay, one would assume that it would be coming from a common source. Recheck your injector's , leak off pipes / rails and any braided fuel lines they are usually quite dubious. Also check your fuel filter to see if it's lose or leaking and finally check your fuel pump, tho it's uncommon on these engines your fuel pump seal might be on its way out.. but with lack of a leak it's hard to pinpoint as you say.

Yep it does seem to be coming from the engine bay although it's also very strong under the car. I'll just have a closer look at the rubber pipes for splits cracks etc then, maybe get someone to rev it to see if any leaks become apparent then?

Failing that I'll take it to my usual mechanic but I don't want to be spending as much as I paid for it.

is it leaking exhaust with risk of poisoning ?

Not as far as I can tell. It smells like raw fuel to me. It's also had a 'new exhaust' very recently - I don't know to what extent or how well fitted it was so I might get it up in the air and have a look.

[Britain4]

I've had a look under the arch liner. No obvious damaged pipes and no smell under there either.

Think this might be out of my depth so once I've serviced it and got everything else sorted I might just take it to my mechanic if I still can't find anything

[Alan02]

It vents tank fumes back into intake on engine. Follow hose from wheel arch to engine, if you havent checked this already.
PS. Dont forget, this filter is controlled by ecu so wont vent off constantly.