Raw fuel smell? LOG HERE!

**westy66** · #1: 12-05-2008, 08:47 AM

ok, im really pissed off this morning

i went out to start (warm up) my car today and when i went back out smelled gas around the car. i previously had this with my 2002 WRX which needed a repair to the fuel line beneath the TMIC. and even tho there are numerous threads on NASIOC, one with 2100+ replies Subaru hasnt recalled anything, just a damn TSB???

AND NOW MY LEGACY HAS IT

anyone else have this issue in cold weather? below freezing. warmed up or not.

**ShrinerMonkey** · #2: 12-05-2008, 09:06 AM

Yes I have noticed this the last few weeks as well. Strong gas smell until the car is warmed up. I am guessing their may be a problem with the charcoal filter canister that is part of the emmissions system.

**westy66** · #3: 12-05-2008, 10:41 AM

no, im pretty sure its the fuel lines under the intake

**Beanboy** · #4: 12-05-2008, 10:50 AM

Nope. I just smell the rich mixture for a few minutes on a cold start. Nothing from front of car, just from exhaust.

**hassa** · #5: 12-05-2008, 11:18 AM

Yup, I have it too....sometimes I have to set the ACC to recirc instead of the open vent option for the defrosters becuz my eyes begin to water from the fumes.......

**unequal** · #6: 12-09-2008, 06:56 AM

Hmm...can't say that I notice fuel odor during warm up, but I did notice w/in the past week strong fuel odor while I'm driving. I have close to 60k on my car and I have never noticed this before.

**tvitarelli** · #7: 12-16-2008, 11:26 PM

I now have this same problem. I just installed a TMIC and the next time I drove I can smell this raw fuel odor in the car when I stop at lights. I opened the hood and can smell it as well between the intake and the BOV on the driver side. Anyone been able to resolve this issue?

**mclmk8d** · #8: 12-22-2008, 10:41 AM

She's on her way to pick up our son at UMass and called me crying about how bad the smell is in her 2001 Legacy GT. She's driving with both windows open a bit to air it out. Over the years, she's complained on and off about the smell and the dealer has never beeen able to find anything. Someone mentioned a TSB. Do you have the number and is it for Legacys also or just the WRX (NASIOC Raw Fuel Smell Log)? Please let me know ASAP as I promised to call her this evening.
Thank you and you all have a wonderful holiday season and healthy new year.

**Pawlwawl06** · #9: 12-23-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beanboy

Nope. I just smell the rich mixture for a few minutes on a cold start. Nothing from front of car, just from exhaust.

Same here. I believe I have an exhaust leak though because I hear this faint hissing sound coming from the axleback.

**twisted** · #**10:** 12-23-2008, 04:47 PM

possibly loose clamps in the fuel line. there are quite a few as per subaru service. i'm gonna tk my 02 in as well for the exact same problem

**mclmk8d** · #**11:** 12-24-2008, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twisted

possibly loose clamps in the fuel line. there are quite a few as per subaru service. i'm gonna tk my 02 in as well for the exact same problem

It turned out to be a bad clamp...fixed by Subaru of Nashua.

**cardiofix** · #**12:** 01-02-2009, 04:08 PM

Guys,

I am new to this forum and an auto idiot. I just encountered the same problem as has been posted, I googled gas smell and Legacy and here I am. In an event, New years day extremely cold weather about 5 degrees, smell raw gas upon start up. (I have an 03 Legacy, about 62k on it.) Same thing again today. I took it to a neighborhood mechanic and he smelled it as well, put it up but didn't see any leaks, wet spots etc. He said to key an eye on it, and if it continues to happen or get worse to bring it back in and he would have to "take the seats out" and inspect the fuel line.

Question is do I

Hope this is a cold weather deal and will myself into thinking spring is around the corner.

Take it back to him and ask him to look at the
charcoal filter canister that is part of the emmissions system
check the clamps on my fuel line
examine all of the hoses (I saw in another post something about
cold weather and seals on gas lines)
OR
Take it to a dealer and test my new line of credit?

Thanks in advance

**rwade** · #**13:** 01-03-2009, 08:33 PM

I had my dealer on the phone the other day and asked about this. They said it is a common problem in cold weather and that the fuel line clamps need tightened - $100. I googled it tonight and found this guy who took pictures.

http://www.bazoomer.com/fuelline/fuelline.html

**cardiofix** · #**14:** 01-04-2009, 05:55 PM

Outstanding!! Thanks much!

**snowmobiledog** · #**15:** 12-03-2009, 09:00 PM

Same situation here. It's bloody cold outside and my '01 Legacy just decided to start smelling like raw gas as everyone above has described. So I just tightened the fuel line clamps (which were all a bit loose) and viola...fixed.

I can't thank you all enough for saving me what would have been a large bill at the local Subaru dealership!