Raw Fuel Smell Log

[Bigpants]

I just talked to the dealer, I had to leave it overnight so they could test it this morning. They found the leak from the one hose clamp, tightened it. Under warranty "because it was not modified", their words. We will see the next cold morning if it is fixed.
Dana

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[Kha0S]

12/02, ~64k miles, MY02 WRX

Smelled raw fuel a few times, searched, found info on fuel leak.

Last night and this morning, both cold starts, ~20 degrees F, I confirmed raw fuel spraying out of the front passenger side fuel hose fittings.

Currently have a phone call in to Manchester Subaru here in NH, and am working on getting a claim # from SOA to get warranty service for it beyond 60k.

/Andrew

[koloumb]

Wow..didn't realize others had a "fuel smell" issue. I thought it was some random occurance or something I did [like adding 2 gallons of Toluene to a full tank of gas]. Didn't start getting the smell until after about 3k miles. From what I recall - it only happened a few times [about a month ago] - all within a week when it was cold outside. Hasn't happened since.

I noticed it started happening after I added my 2nd batch of "2 gallon Toluene" to the tank. I haven't added it since...perhaps a correlation?

_0wen_

[BIGSKYWRX]

I think I got mine fixed. Ofcourse I wasn't going to pull the manifold to do it, so I opted to put in a Samco turbo inlet pipe and then tightened them up when I had the oe inlet out

[Kha0S]

Mine's going into the dealer on Friday for a tightening job.

SOA followed up on my dealer, which was cool, and I got authorized by a local rep for this to be done under warranty, even though I'm at 65k miles.

I'm impressed. Will post with results.

/Andrew

[Kha0S]

Seems as if the problem is all fixed... apparently, they were going to try and charge me based on my BPM turbo inlet pipe, saying that it was rubbing on the clamps, but some of the other service guys told them not to be stupid.

They were able to tighten the clamps just by removing the inlet pipe.

/Andrew

[jamz]

No Kidding Andrew, guess what? On the way back from the cigar bar last night, guess what- massive fuel smell. I even had to remove the car from the garage because it was so strong.

So this morning (2 degrees Farenheit, thank you very much) I am out in the driveway instead of teh nice heated garage looking at fuel dripping from that area.

Unfortunately, the dealers around here are closed on the weekends, so it might have to wait till monday. Maybe Deacon can pick me up.

[littlegoat]

I had the fuel smell this weekend, up in N.H. it was damn cold, somewhere around 0 F. I noticed the smell for about 15 min. or so, have not had the smell since. I have check for leaks and there are none, gonna give the claps a turn or two anyway.

[romoranger]

i noticed this worst a few days ago when it was 10 degrees or so out, really felt like my car was running real bad for some reason when the smell was the worst, stayed for 20 min, then i shut the car off car is going in next thursday

[BIGSKYWRX]

I wonder at what point would SOA come to the conclusion that these leaking fuel lines are a potential hazard? For everyone us who have logged their experience here there have to be many more fold who have experienced (experiencing) this problem that haven't. I think the prudent thing to do would be to (SOA) send letters out and have people come in to get these lines tightenend. I'd hate to think that someone could possibly get injured when this has to be fairly common knowledge to the dealers/SOA.

Big Sky

[littlegoat]

Just some FYI...
I spoke with a local dealer yesterday, and informed him of the fuel smell. The service dept. indicated they had no one with this problem at their location. He said as long as there is no visible leaking the smell is normal on really cold days.(I realize there is a difference between what I noticed and other's problems)
Hope everyone gets it worked out.

[BIGSKYWRX]

Originally posted by littlegoat
Just some FYI...
I spoke with a local dealer yesterday, and informed him of the fuel smell. The service dept. indicated they had no one with this problem at their location. He said as long as there is no visible leaking the smell is normal on really cold days.(I realize there is a difference between what I noticed and other's problems)
Hope everyone gets it worked out.

The leaks are not very visible. You have to know exactly where to look- if you look directly under the front of the turbo inlet pipe you should be able to see (may need a flashlight) some fuel lines, underneath these is where you will get a small pooling (again usually only on "cold" days) of fuel. I still think this small pooling of fuel good be a safety issue- maybe it is normal, but I think not.

Big Sky

[MulletSlayer]

My Subaru has a build date of 4/01, and has 22,000 miles. I had the raw fuel smell once last year while stopped at an intersection. It only lasted maybe 2 minutes. Yesterday though it started again and didn't stop. My whole interior smelled like a gas can. The smell only was noticeable when stop and if the heater was not on recirculate. The problem was still occuring this morning so I took the car in to the dealer.

They looked at it for 2 hours and could not find a leak and they said they couldn't smell gas anymore. So I told them thats exactly what happens, if its warm there is no problem, but if the weather is in the teens then the problem will occur. I guess since they could smell the gas when I first pulled in they didn't argue with me and called Subaru.

When they described the problem to Subaru, Subaru was aware of the problem and new exactly what they were describing. The dealer said they are shipping out some new fuel lines, both metal and rubber. They also said, since this is a fuel issue they don't want me driving the car so they put me in a loaner.

When I get the car back, which they said may be 1-5 days depending on the arrival of the parts, I will post again with the parts they replaced.

[ConeMasher]

For the record, there are 36 unique reports of the "Raw Fuel Smell" from this I-Club thread. Add me, and that's 37. Here's the list below:

fluffybunny
achilles38wrx
kenneth2000
new blue 02
scoobie newbie
jimb
sube151
lenyx
chrisd
wrxracer
Mwahaworld
turbov6joe
GMan
scaryfastskier
Redline8k
Terrywrxxtc
Logan
bbrewer
PunksWRX
sc00by71
pooponford
STEALTHBMBR
RMHWRX
optimalrage
pace
wrxcolorado
BIGSKYWRX
George71
skyhigh420
Bigpants
Kha0S
koloumb
jamz
littlegoat
romoranger
Mulletslayer
ConeMasher

-- Gary

[BIGSKYWRX]

Thanks ConeMasher! Anyone want to guess at how many other "unique" cases are out there that haven't posted in this thread?

Big Sky

[MulletSlayer]

I called my dealer to find if the parts came today, and now they changed there story. They are telling me now that Subaru is saying that they are suppose to tighten up the four clamps on the fuel lines and that should solve the problem for now.

The Dealer is telling me that they are coming up with a new design for these fuel clamps so they won't work loose, and most likely there will be a recall on this item.

[BIGSKYWRX]

Originally posted by MulletSlayer
I called my dealer to find if the parts came today, and now they changed there story. They are telling me now that Subaru is saying that they are suppose to tighten up the four clamps on the fuel lines and that should solve the problem for now.

The Dealer is telling me that they are coming up with a new design for these fuel clamps so they won't work loose, and most likely there will be a recall on this item.

Tightening the four clamps should do it. I don't think they have worked loose, I think they were under-tightened at the factory. They are a screw type hose clamp. I'm glad to hear they are at least contemplating a recall (retightening ) as fuel leaking in a engine bay is not the most ideal situation.

Big Sky

[frankramo777]

i've got a january 2001 built wrx sportwagon
ok it's 13 degrees f, smelled gas bad, parking at the gym, and again on the ride home. shut the car off and smelled it outside. it was super bad when i smelled at the radiator grill. found the leak under the air inlet snorkel, right up front... definately coming off of the fuel lines.
i've also got the knocking noise coming from the engine on the driver side, it is more prominent from inside the car.
and yes, it seems like the drivers window regulator is on it's way out, really bad clunk as it's rolls down and a bit of a jump in the travel as its on the way down.. damn first year gremlins...
im pissed as the service tech has replied on all of my service invoices nothing found, car operates as designed..
now the bs starts, i'll keep you guys/gals posted
frank

[Shaggee]

I also started having the same fuel smell in my car. It was really strong especially when the heat was on. Hope fully there will be some kind of recall.

[SuperRuWRX]

Mines in the shop as I write. Noticed a smell on the way home from work last night, I thought it was from an old clunker in front of me. With the 8 degree weather this morning the smell was really bad. It's a fuel line clamp on right side of the motor. They say it's hard to get to, but will have it ready this affternoon. My car is an early build too.

Friday-Update dealer needs to remove intake to fix leak? No gasket in stock may be ready monday.

Monday-Update gasket is in Kentucky may be ready tuesday.

Tuesday- gasket is here fuel hose is not. This is the first time anybody mentioned a hose.

[midnight]

You can add my name to the list. I've been experiencing the fuel smell problem over the past week but only in the evenings, after my car has been sitting in -25 degree celsius weather for 8 hours. In the mornings when I take the car out of the garage I never experience the raw fuel smell.

Anyways, I took it into the dealer this morning, and he says that Subaru dealers in the area were issued a memo yesterday because of a high number of similar complaints. The problem seems to be related to the intake gasket (?) expanding in cold temperatures, allowing fuel odours to enter the cabin. The replacement parts are on order and I will have to bring my car back next week.

He insisted that there is no fuel leak, so this makes me wonder if I'm experiencing the same problem as everyone else here

[Extraze]

fuel smell here too

car will be at dealer as soon as we can get anoter really cold day

[frankramo777]

i saw fuel leaking !!
not a seep, but fuel dripping at a steady flow, and this is at idle. now when the car is hauling and the fuel pressure way up, how much gas was i losing???after running the car just enough to park the car 20 feet from where the flatbed left it, the mechanic was treated to a nice puddle on the engine and that lovely smell!!!
also had him listen for the knock i've been spun out over, and he thinks it's piston slap (normal and should go away when engine is up to temp)... not what i have found, it doesnt go away
i'll keep you informed
frank

[Scoobie Newbie]

This may have been asked before, but is this an 02 exclusive problem?

[frankramo777]

still in the shop, i'll know something tomarrow
and keep you posted