A car in good condition does not produce any smell like gas fume. So if you find out that your car smells like gas when parked, it seems like there are some internal problems happened with your vehicle.
And these problems need to be repaired right away.
Here are some potential reasons why a car smells like gas and how to fix them. Let’s check them out!
Car Smells Like Gas – What Are The Reasons?
1. Gas Cap
A loose gas cap can cause your car smells like gas.
When you find out your car smells like gas after driving, an important thing to check out is the car’s gas cap.
After opening the tank, you have to check the gas cap carefully, making sure that you never lose it or let it loose.
Additionally, you also need to make sure that the gas cap is still in good condition. A broken or loose gas cap can release gas fumes and turn the check engine light on for new vehicles.
Thanks to the amazing technology behind the check engine indicator, nowadays the car can identify leaks within by a self-test.
2. Gas Exposure
The reason to think about when a car smells like gas but no leaks are gas exposure.
Sometimes, gasoline fumes from gas stations’ pumps can get into your car if you let the car doors or windows open, causing gas smell.
To get rid of this problem, everything you need to do is rolling down the windows and driving for a few minutes.
If the gas odour does not come back, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. If it still stays in your car for several days, you should look for other reasons below.
3. Broken Canister
Canister collects excess vapor going out from the fuel tank to minimize emission exiting the system
Canister is a plastic component to catch charcoal. Canister also collects excess vapor going out from the fuel tank to minimize emission exiting the system.
If the canister leaks or cracks through its damaged vent or seal, you will smell a strong gas fume in your car. That can make the check engine light turned on.
4. Gas Leaks
Gas leaks are the answer to the question “Why does my car smell like gas?”
Gas leaks are another reason causing car smells like gas inside. You can check whether your car has gas leaks or not by looking for black puddles underneath the car. It the car has black puddles, here are some several things for you to check out:
Fuel Tank
Punctured or old fuel tanks often cause gas leaks. The best way to fix this problem is to remove the tank totally.
By doing that, the mechanic can check it thoroughly for fixing or replacement.
Additionally, a leak in fuel tank vent hose can produce un-burned gas coming out of the fuel system and changing into mist or vapour. Thus, to keep everyone safe, you have to let the professional mechanic fix the leaks immediately as gas puddles and gas fumes can cause fire.
Injector
Injector leaks are caused by their o-ring seal or rubber. Every injector has a rubber seal placed at the bottom and an O-ring located at the top. These components are prone to be broken by dryness.
To fix this problem, you just need to replace the damaged o-ring or seal. You don’t need to replace the whole injector.
To inspect the injector condition, you have to open the car hood and check the injector in the fuel rail. Turn the engine on. If you find out that fuel stored around the injector, it will be the reason makes your car smells like gas.
Fuel – Injection Line
A leak in the fuel injection line can cause a strong gas smell once you park your car. The function of fuel injection is promoting higher pressure along the fuel lines.
In new cars, the pressure is from 60 psi to 125 psi. If there is any problem in fuel injection such as weak fitting, the fuel will spread out from different parts of the line. This leads to mist and vapour which create a gas smell.
Actually, this is very hazardous if the leak is near the exhaust or engine. Additionally, the gas mist is very dangerous for health. If a person breathes in gas fume, he will suffer dizziness or headaches, finally leading to brain damage in long-term if these leaks are not fixed immediately.
Fuel Line
Fuel lines connect the fuel tank and the engine. They are found underneath cars. Debris and different elements along the road can easily crush fuel lines. Ones which are made of rubber are prone to leaks when they are used for several years or are broken by a clumsy mechanic.
5. Bad Fuel Pressure
Bad fuel pressure causes car smells like gas
Bad fuel pressure is one of the potential reasons that make a car smells like gas.
A failed pressure regulator can cause your car to burn fuel until the mixture gets too rich or too thin. Burning more fuel may cause gas fumes inside the exhaust. Gas fumes will also come inside the car if a leak makes the exhaust enter the ventilation system.
In this case, the smell is not the only symptoms of fuel pressure regulator failed. Another warning sign is weaker power and fuel efficiency.
6. Old Cars
Vehicles made in the early 1980s or earlier are likely to release a faint odour of gasoline after shut off. It happens because of the fuel after-boil in the float bowl of the carburettor.
It is completely normal if you notice the odor only after shutting the car off and it dissipates after a while. Newer models don’t have this issue because they have a built-in evaporative-emissions system.
Have a safe driving!