Smell of gas near rear wheel well after shutting down engine

Masospaghetti · #1 03-07-2026, 06:30 PM

I've noticed the smell of gasoline after shutting down the engine near the rear wheel wells, specifically the driver's side. I have it up on jacks now with the protective covers off (fuel filter, evap canister, and expansion tank exposed) and I couldn't smell anything from any of the visible connections. I also checked the fuel pump seal and can't smell anything there. I only smell it when the motor is shut off. This fuel/evap system is very complicated compared to what I am used to!

I haven't pulled the driver wheel well liner yet but I know there's a few evap components behind there too.

Any suggestions what it might be? 2003 3.0i with 163000 miles. Thx!!!

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80stech · #2 03-07-2026, 09:16 PM

If there is any vapour leakage there should be a code. if you have a capable scan tool you run a leak test.

Masospaghetti · #3 03-07-2026, 10:16 PM

I only have a basic scan tool but I do have USB interface and INPA on a laptop.

80stech · #4 03-08-2026, 11:15 AM

Even better! Get the codes first and go from there. INPA can be a bit tricky to find the service functions but I'm pretty sure it's in there.

In case you're not aware there are fuel sender openings on both sides of the fuel tank.

If you have the covers off it would be a good time to check/replace the piece of vacuum hose going to the regulator/filter.

Masospaghetti · #5 03-08-2026, 07:23 PM

Pretty sure I located the culprit. There was liquid fuel on top of the driver's side sender, under the rear seat. Something is up with the hose that is preventing it from sealing. I tried new clamps and it keeps leaking.

Henn28 · #6 03-09-2026, 11:20 AM

If I recall there is a wide rubber seal between the lip of the sender (and fuel pump) and the tank. Perhaps that has failed.

80stech · #7 03-09-2026, 11:51 AM

That is (should be ) a really high quality hose, try cutting a bit off the end and reclamping with a gear clamp. Make sure the nipple isn't damaged. If the seal around the sender was leaking it would set a code with a tank leakage test which the DME does every so often or you can force in INPA. This might be a good time to check the syphon jet if that hasn't been done.

Masospaghetti · #8 03-09-2026, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80stech

That is (should be ) a really high quality hose, try cutting a bit off the end and reclamping with a gear clamp. Make sure the nipple isn't damaged. If the seal around the sender was leaking it would set a code with a tank leakage test which the DME does every so often or you can force in INPA. This might be a good time to check the syphon jet if that hasn't been done.

there's no obvious damage to the hose end but I'll try cutting a bit off and trying again. I carefully inspected the nipple and it looks okay.

If that doesn't work, I'll make a new line from rubber fuel hose with a quick connect on the fuel filter end and hope that I can thread it down between the body and the tank.

80stech · #9 03-09-2026, 03:38 PM

You might be able to pull the line far enough to replace the short piece of rubber, If I remember correctly it turns to plastic pretty quick. I'd be really surprised if cutting a bit off the end doesn't work though.

wpoll · #10 03-09-2026, 05:15 PM

It's not unknown for these plastic gas tank parts to fail - cracks around the base of the hose spigot is a known failure point....

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