Gas smell coming from alternator and a check engine

ansonb505 · 05-13-2007, 02:45 PM

I first got the notorious check engine - loose gas cap deal 3 weeks ago. I bought a new gas cap, reset my car and I was good to go.

Last week I noticed a strong gas smell coming from my engine, but no lights came on. I still tried to find where this was coming from, but no luck.

Then 2 days ago, my check engine light came on again with the loose gas cap error, so my friend and I figure it's gotta be something else in the EVAP system. He then thought, "Hey man, you should check the vacuum check valve. If it's loose, then that could explain the gas smell and the check engine!"

So I dive in again and look for that little blue vacuum "T" fitting under the alternator. Sure enough, not only is it loose, but completely disconnected at one point (the bottom of the T). It's pretty hard for me to get down there with my hands, but I managed to get the connector back into the hose (but not all the way, I guess I'm either going to have to take it in, or take something apart).

I then started my car to see if the gas smell went away only to notice that a gas smell/air is coming from the alternator. Now the disconnected hose was pointing towards the alternator, so could it be vapors from the line blown onto the alternator? Will this smell eventually go away, or could the problem be elsewhere? I want to take the car in, but I know that the dealers around here have a week long wait.

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MT_WRX · 05-13-2007, 02:55 PM

Your Evap CEL was because the lines to the blue T-fitting were disconnected.

The fuel smell is more than likely the Fuel Leak TSB issue...

MT

ansonb505 · 05-13-2007, 03:12 PM

nvm..

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT_WRX

Your Evap CEL was because the lines to the blue T-fitting were disconnected.

The fuel smell is more than likely the Fuel Leak TSB issue...

MT

Thank you so much for the speedy reply! Couple questions: 1. where can i get a copy of this TSB (i guess its #09-36-03)?
2. I'm in the desert and it really isn't cold, I guess I notice the problem more at night, but its mid 70s right now and I get the fuel smell. Same issue you think?

Ensi · 05-13-2007, 03:39 PM

+1 for the fuel leak TSB, I'm gonna replace that little chunk of hose while I have my intake pipe out.

ansonb505 · 05-13-2007, 03:52 PM

i spoke too soon, i just found the TSB. but my 2nd question still lies

ansonb505 · 05-13-2007, 06:16 PM

i also never got a solid answer about this: if one was to purchase the perrin fuel rail kit, then you don't need to really worry about those leaky lines or tightening up those pesky fasteners, right? what i mean is if i got the perrin fuel kit, i gues i dont have to worry about getting the shorter pipe/longer hose that is mentioned in the TSB, right?

i guess i will have to attempt tightening up the clamps because it isn't really cold outside (80 F now), but if that doesn't work, i just want to be sure that this baby will fix it:

if any other people have ideas, lemme know please. thanks

edit
...aaaaaaand after 4-6 hours of reading i have basically found all my answers so far. the perrin fuel rails replace all those lines, so that should fix the problem.

thanks.

MT_WRX · 05-13-2007, 08:55 PM

Don't go and get the fuel rails just to try and fix a problem that your dealer is responsible for. Take your car in, with a copy of the TSB if it makes you feel better, and tell them that you are experiencing the fuel smell and that you think it might be related to the TSB.

No need to throw money at a problem that can be fixed for free!

MT

ansonb505 · 05-13-2007, 09:26 PM

Yeah definitely. I just can't afford for the dealership to attempt to charge me 300-600 dollars for a problem that, from what I've read, potentially keeps coming back.

i'll definitely try to hit them up and get SOA involved as well.

LastResort · 05-13-2007, 10:00 PM

I'm thinking he's SOL for getting a TSB fixed for free on an 02. But I could be wrong.

Mulder · 05-13-2007, 11:13 PM

Unless you have a VERY generous dealer you aren't going to get any TSB work done for free beyond the 3/36 warranty period.
There is no way to know for sure without seeing the car, but the fuel leak covered by the TSB is related to cold weather so most likely the cause is something else (although it's certainly possible you have the same problem happening in warmer temps). The true cause of the smell/leak should be found before you make assumptions and install aftermarket parts that may not fix it.

kcscoob · 05-14-2007, 03:31 PM

You might check the Fuel Pressure Regulator. It is located behing the alternator. When mine went bad it was leaking fuel around the outside edge. It also threw a cell because it was delivering too much fuel.

Also, if you live in the desert I have my doubts about your problem being the "Cold Weather" fuel rail leak. I have the problem and it only occurs when it is super cold. Just my two pennies worth.

Shawn

ansonb505 · 05-17-2007, 09:38 PM

Awesome! That actually sounds like it would be most relevant to what's happening to me. I have an appointment with subaru tomorrow, so we'll see what they say. Anyone know what they cost and how long it takes to replace? I'm trying to figure out if I should just get it done myself. I'm at work so I can't pull up the details myself right now, so replys would be appreciated

05-13-2007, 02:45 PM	#1
ansonb505 Scooby Newbie Member#: 147166 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Midnight Pearl Black	Gas smell coming from alternator and a check engine I first got the notorious check engine - loose gas cap deal 3 weeks ago. I bought a new gas cap, reset my car and I was good to go. Last week I noticed a strong gas smell coming from my engine, but no lights came on. I still tried to find where this was coming from, but no luck. Then 2 days ago, my check engine light came on again with the loose gas cap error, so my friend and I figure it's gotta be something else in the EVAP system. He then thought, "Hey man, you should check the vacuum check valve. If it's loose, then that could explain the gas smell and the check engine!" So I dive in again and look for that little blue vacuum "T" fitting under the alternator. Sure enough, not only is it loose, but completely disconnected at one point (the bottom of the T). It's pretty hard for me to get down there with my hands, but I managed to get the connector back into the hose (but not all the way, I guess I'm either going to have to take it in, or take something apart). I then started my car to see if the gas smell went away only to notice that a gas smell/air is coming from the alternator. Now the disconnected hose was pointing towards the alternator, so could it be vapors from the line blown onto the alternator? Will this smell eventually go away, or could the problem be elsewhere? I want to take the car in, but I know that the dealers around here have a week long wait. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

05-13-2007, 06:16 PM	#6
ansonb505 Scooby Newbie Member#: 147166 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Midnight Pearl Black	i also never got a solid answer about this: if one was to purchase the perrin fuel rail kit, then you don't need to really worry about those leaky lines or tightening up those pesky fasteners, right? what i mean is if i got the perrin fuel kit, i gues i dont have to worry about getting the shorter pipe/longer hose that is mentioned in the TSB, right? i guess i will have to attempt tightening up the clamps because it isn't really cold outside (80 F now), but if that doesn't work, i just want to be sure that this baby will fix it: if any other people have ideas, lemme know please. thanks edit ...aaaaaaand after 4-6 hours of reading i have basically found all my answers so far. the perrin fuel rails replace all those lines, so that should fix the problem. thanks. Last edited by ansonb505; 05-13-2007 at 06:39 PM.

05-14-2007, 03:31 PM	#11
kcscoob Scooby Specialist Member#: 31222 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Overland Park, KS Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT wagon 6 speed, BNR 18G, E85	Fuel pressure regulator You might check the Fuel Pressure Regulator. It is located behing the alternator. When mine went bad it was leaking fuel around the outside edge. It also threw a cell because it was delivering too much fuel. Also, if you live in the desert I have my doubts about your problem being the "Cold Weather" fuel rail leak. I have the problem and it only occurs when it is super cold. Just my two pennies worth. Shawn

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05-13-2007, 02:55 PM	#2
MT_WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 24409 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: expensiveafornia Vehicle: '03 Comatose WRX Wagon. Parked.	Your Evap CEL was because the lines to the blue T-fitting were disconnected. The fuel smell is more than likely the Fuel Leak TSB issue... MT

05-13-2007, 03:39 PM	#4
Ensi Scooby Specialist Member#: 90329 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Lake Stevens, Wa Vehicle: 2012 Sti Gray	+1 for the fuel leak TSB, I'm gonna replace that little chunk of hose while I have my intake pipe out.

05-13-2007, 03:52 PM	#5
ansonb505 Scooby Newbie Member#: 147166 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Midnight Pearl Black	i spoke too soon, i just found the TSB. but my 2nd question still lies

05-13-2007, 08:55 PM	#7
MT_WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 24409 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: expensiveafornia Vehicle: '03 Comatose WRX Wagon. Parked.	Don't go and get the fuel rails just to try and fix a problem that your dealer is responsible for. Take your car in, with a copy of the TSB if it makes you feel better, and tell them that you are experiencing the fuel smell and that you think it might be related to the TSB. No need to throw money at a problem that can be fixed for free! MT

05-13-2007, 09:26 PM	#8
ansonb505 Scooby Newbie Member#: 147166 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Midnight Pearl Black	Yeah definitely. I just can't afford for the dealership to attempt to charge me 300-600 dollars for a problem that, from what I've read, potentially keeps coming back. i'll definitely try to hit them up and get SOA involved as well.

05-13-2007, 10:00 PM	#9
LastResort Scooby Guru Member#: 99289 Join Date: Oct 2005	I'm thinking he's SOL for getting a TSB fixed for free on an 02. But I could be wrong.

05-13-2007, 11:13 PM	#10
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 RAV4 MT 15 WRX/11 CRZ	Unless you have a VERY generous dealer you aren't going to get any TSB work done for free beyond the 3/36 warranty period. There is no way to know for sure without seeing the car, but the fuel leak covered by the TSB is related to cold weather so most likely the cause is something else (although it's certainly possible you have the same problem happening in warmer temps). The true cause of the smell/leak should be found before you make assumptions and install aftermarket parts that may not fix it.

05-17-2007, 09:38 PM	#12
ansonb505 Scooby Newbie Member#: 147166 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Albuquerque Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Midnight Pearl Black	Awesome! That actually sounds like it would be most relevant to what's happening to me. I have an appointment with subaru tomorrow, so we'll see what they say. Anyone know what they cost and how long it takes to replace? I'm trying to figure out if I should just get it done myself. I'm at work so I can't pull up the details myself right now, so replys would be appreciated