Posted: Feb 15, 2006 1:01 PM
PROBLEM: Fuel smell in trunk/at rear of car after filling up or after spirited driving with >3/4 tank. Smell never or rarely enters passenger cabin, and is strongest in trunk.
LIKELY CAUSES: Leaking filler neck, leak at filler neck/tank attachment, leak in lines from vapor condensation canister in trunk. Rare cases: rust holes in upper part of tank.
HOW DO I KNOW? Start with the easiest and check the lines from the grey condensation canister over your Right shock tower in the trunk; they drain back to the tank. Check the filler neck for cracking or leaks. Extreme cases, may have to pull the gas tank. If no smell occurs after fill-up to only 3/4 tank, suspect the filler/tank attachment or rust issues, but not the vapor recovery tank as it shouldn't get utilized in this case. After spirited drive, check for moisture/leaks on outside of tank. This is difficult as fuel evaporates quickly. EDIT: also check for leaks at the fuel level sender access panel in the trunk floor, a round black panel under the carpet, right side. Seals on this panel can leak.
SOLUTION: Find the suspect lines and replace. Extreme case: replace gas tank.
LIKELY CAUSES: Leaking filler neck, leak at filler neck/tank attachment, leak in lines from vapor condensation canister in trunk. Rare cases: rust holes in upper part of tank.
HOW DO I KNOW? Start with the easiest and check the lines from the grey condensation canister over your Right shock tower in the trunk; they drain back to the tank. Check the filler neck for cracking or leaks. Extreme cases, may have to pull the gas tank. If no smell occurs after fill-up to only 3/4 tank, suspect the filler/tank attachment or rust issues, but not the vapor recovery tank as it shouldn't get utilized in this case. After spirited drive, check for moisture/leaks on outside of tank. This is difficult as fuel evaporates quickly. EDIT: also check for leaks at the fuel level sender access panel in the trunk floor, a round black panel under the carpet, right side. Seals on this panel can leak.
SOLUTION: Find the suspect lines and replace. Extreme case: replace gas tank.