Fuel Leak

Do a search on "fuel smell". My daughter drives a 2002 Forester. Noticed the strong fuel (not exhaust) smell last night (coldest temps of the winter so far). Was already taking the car in for a bad rear wheel bearing. Dealer ID'd it as loose fuel line under the manifold. $210 to fix. Not covered by the after market extended warranty of course. Doesn't sound like something I can fix myself since they have to remove the intake manifold to get to it.

I think this is happening a lot? Does it happen every winter and all Subaru owners discover it again?

 

For some reason this is a common Subaru issue. I know of several people who've had the problem. If its new enough warranty will cover it, on my wife's 00 Forester the plastic hardened up and you could see it was wet around the edge with fuel. $5 in new gas line hose, 2 clamps and 10 mins later problem solved.

 

Loose on my 01 at the fuel filter.

 

Funny, I had this same problem just start today.

The check engine light has been on for a while with "Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (small leak)" being the code. The mechanic told me not to worry about it too much, but to get the codes read frequently to make sure another one doesn't pop up without my knowing.

Having driven a while today in 15 degree weather, I pulled up to a light and got that strong gasoline smell.

Does anyone know of a fuel system schematic online somewhere that I could check out for my 01 forester to see if this is something I could tackle on my own?

KW

 

nevermind.

 

Odor Inside the Cabin

I have recently been having the same issue with my 2001 Forester. I noticed the smell a couple of weeks ago and thought it was coming from my exhaust but when you get out of the car, you don't smell it. It's middle of winter here in PA so it's very cold out. It seems to happen more at night or early in the morning when it's super cold out and you first start it up. I also smell it when I come to a stop or I am parked. I had no idea what it could be but now that I read this...I think I may have a hunch, haha, thanks everyone!

 

It is more than likely a loose fuel line clamp. As stated earlier, it is typically under the intake manifold. Try tightening all fuel clamps. Even then, your car will probably get the same smell when in the lower temps. In fact, it only seems to work in low low temps. Like 10 degrees or lower.

There is a 114 page Raw Fuel Smell thread on Nasioc. Its a very very common issue, that I have had with my '04 STi as well.

Take these complaints to Subaru, and they may fix it for free. They actually put out a voluntary fix for this problem on the 02-03 Imprezas. Some dealers will indeed fix all years just to be nice.


Raw Fuel Smell Log - NASIOC

 

Cold weather..rubber loses its elasticity and also with age. Also rubber is more compressed by the clamp which has caused rubber to lose elasticity. Thats why I like the spring OEM clamps on radiator and heater hoses. It minimizes the problem. That is not the solution here though I suppose.

Typically you get radiator hose leaks during very cold weather with the screw hose clamps.

 

+1 here for a loose hose clamp. Even had puddling fuel on the driver's side head.

 

Had that gas smell in mornings at start up. Under the plenum on passenger side I found the leak. Its at the fuel pressure regulator where its butt base mates with the connection on that fuel line that passes accross to the driver side fuel rail . It appears quite unaccesible. It now appears I will have to remove the entire plenum to service the rascally regulator,,, bummer ;-(.....
My rig is an 04 XT Forester
Anyone have similar issues? Or experience in solution?

 

I posted under title "strong exhaust...", but now i'm not so sure. Mine is 07 forester, and since I've owned it, in cold or damp weather (i'm in chicago) upon starting, the smell is way strong. One person has described it as rich -- but I'm here to say this ain't rich, this is what others near my car say, "You need to take that in!" Having owned 4 others cars already (not Subarus) I have never experienced this with other cars. So...is it a Subaru thing or is it my specific car. I'm still under warranty, but the dealer's response has been like talking to a wall. I will try a new dealer and see if I can find one who is actually willing to think about it.

 

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f87/smell-gas-cold-starts-41319/

 

In most of the cars, these components are troublesome.The fuel level sensors are failure prone, though less so now that we have low-sulpher gas.

 

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/soa-finally-admits-fuel-leak-problem-101998/

 

Mine does it aswell on very cold days

 

04 fxt fuel smell

i to have the fuel leak.i called soa and have a appt to get it checked out.i hope they cover it becuse it is safety related.i whant to know what to say to dealer or soa when i deal with them.any member where has had dealings.just whant to know what to say

 

I have a 07XT and I also experience the same problem. Every time I turn off the engine, I smell a strong gasoline fume. But I only smell it somewhere at the back if my car. What could be the possible cause of such smell?