strong gas odor with my bird... should I be worried?

[lostatlantis]

Here's the deal. My '96 firebird has a pretty strong gas smell around her when she's idling or had just been parked. I think it's been this way since I got her back in 2000 as a used car with about 32000 miles, but I kinda freaked out today when I parked the car in the garage and the smell was so strong. It's not getting worse per se, but I guess today it just hit me that maybe I should look into this.

So, what could be wrong, or is this normal?? The odor is especially noticeable when the car's in the garage with the confined space. However, I also have a 1996 Dodge Caravan SE in the garage and the van definitely doesn't smell this bad at all. Even the old 1989 Olds Royale doesn't smell this way. I thought this was one of the traits of the F-body, since this firebird was my first F-body.

Bottomline, should I be concerned over this, and what should I do about it?

[Jason S]

my 93 s10 blazer did that, i filler her up and noticed her gas tank cap was missing [img]smile.gif[/img] Try getting a new gas cap, maybe urs isnt sealing right. also, ive heard some people have those symptoms when its time to change their fuel filter, but that was just what i think i read from a post. deff. try a new gas cap and see how taht goes till someone inteligent pops up on here [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Fireman]

take a look at the charcoal canister behind the driver side rear wheel see if the smell is coming from there. i had this problem last week ( except mine smelled really bad inside the car and fantly outside) and asked about it and was told about the canister. mine was bad it was wet with gas and had gas init and since i replaced it no more gas smell. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[99Camaro99]

fireman that canister is called the fuel filter [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[lostatlantis]

Jason my fuel cap looks alright, but fuel filter sounds relevant so I'll check it out [img]smile.gif[/img]

Fireman, what's the job of the canister? I am on a trip so I won't get back to my bird until sunday [img]graemlins/crybaby.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[vtv6firebird]

99camaro99, fireman is correct, that charcoal canister is not the fuel filter. The fuel filter is located near the rear of the car on the fuel lines underneath the car. The charcoal canister is for the EVAP system on the car, it captures fuel vapors when your car is sitting and burns them once you run your car. It is all EPA emissions type stuff, to not release hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. Sometimes if you try to fill your car too much with gas, the gas will run down the vapor lines and enter the charcoal canister and mess it up, this is why it is not a good idea to try to get the last 5 cents worth of gas in your car.

As far as lostatlantis's problem, could be gas in the canister, bad gas cap, fuel leak, bad seal on top of gas tank, try to sniff out the area and let us know where it is coming from if you can tell.

[MustangEater8251]

yes also check hte top of your intake manilfold.

might be your fuel injector seals leaking, or check the "quickconnection" on the fuel lines in the engien bay.

[96_WhiteBird_Manual]

I usually smell kind of gas only when I start my engine when cold.

I am sure it's from the exhaust, so I haven't worried about it, but It might be a good idea to check around the car for any source of smell except exhaust, my fuel filter is quite new, so I might try gas cap and engine room.

[ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: 96_WhiteBird_Manual ]</p>

[Shirl]

It is also possible that you could have a leak from a fuel line. It may be a small gash. Run the car and check everything while it's idling, then have someone rev it for you. I think you'll find the leak this way. You should see gas squirting out!

[Fireman]

lostatlatis , right behind the drivers rear wheel there should be a plastic filler piece in the wheel well it is held on with a philips head screw and 7 mm bolt remove them and the inner panel will drop out ( easier and more room when tire is removed ). this will expose the whole filler neck and just behind it is the canester check the lines to it. and like others said check for a leaky fuel line or in the engine compartment if the smell is not coming from the canister.

also while the panel is off and the smell does not seem to be coming from the canester you have some room to check the filler neck were it attaches to the tank check, and see if the filler tube is loose and wiggles. if there is any hair line gaps in it fuel vapors will find it and exscape giving u a smell. same for the fuel cap as was mentioned above if it does not seal fuel vapors could possible find there way out.

i would start with checking the easier stuff that was mentioned earlier from people , fuel cap,fuel lines and injector sepeage. then if all looks fine start taking panel off.

[lightning]

i was thinking along the lines of maybe ur car is runing a little on the rich side, i setmine to run rich and i get that smell.