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Old 01-02-2005, 02:44 AM   #1
Bubba G
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Chapter/Region: VIC
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2002 WRX Aspen White
Stg 2

Default I'm finally plagued with the raw fuel smell!

So I was parked outside at my gf's house tonight. We went out for a bite around 11pm and as I drove for the first 5-10 mins, the notorious raw fuel smell saturated the cabin. First time it ever happened to me. Dammit! Anybody else have the prob lately? I did a search and notice it only happens in cold weather and the fix seems complicated. Anybody have a easier or cheaper way to fix this prob or should I just leave it alone?
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Old 01-02-2005, 03:07 AM   #2
tora
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I had never heard of that but the same thing happened to me on my drive back from Toronto in -18 weather. As soon as it warmed up it went away. I didn't know what to attribute it to...but figured it was the cold loosening or freezing seals or something...
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Old 01-02-2005, 06:17 AM   #3
stisp33d
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubba G
So I was parked outside at my gf's house tonight. We went out for a bite around 11pm and as I drove for the first 5-10 mins, the notorious raw fuel smell saturated the cabin. First time it ever happened to me. Dammit! Anybody else have the prob lately? I did a search and notice it only happens in cold weather and the fix seems complicated. Anybody have a easier or cheaper way to fix this prob or should I just leave it alone?
are you sure no one put a cantalope in your exhaust??!
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Old 01-02-2005, 02:23 PM   #4
Bubba G
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Definitely NOT a melon in the exhuast lol!
I'm suprised nobody else encountered this problem, I did some searching on Nasioc and it only happens to early 2002 models in cold temps?
Anybody else try to have this issue or attempted to rectify this problem at the dealer?
I'll probably take mine in on monday and see what they say.
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Old 01-02-2005, 08:59 PM   #5
tony_subaru
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We have done some under warranty at the dealership... If you have warranty, I'm sure any Subaru dealer should repair it. If I remember right, Subaru did put a bulitin out on this.
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Old 01-02-2005, 09:48 PM   #6
jstbstn
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I got this same thing for the first time this morning.... It scared me at first, thinking what the hell did I brake but as soon as I started driving it went away. Haven't decided whether or not I am going to take it in to get fixed or not yet...we'll see how much it shows up over the next couple weeks.
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Old 01-02-2005, 10:33 PM   #7
tora
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When this happened for you guys did you actually see any leaks? I looked under my car and couldn't locate anything, but the smell persisted for about 1.5 days during the cold part of my drive back from Toronto.
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Old 01-03-2005, 12:56 AM   #8
Nightrunner
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It never happened to my car. I think the weather is not that cold yet!?
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Old 01-03-2005, 06:38 AM   #9
zeroFX
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I just got it tonight. Kinda scared me. I was thinking of calling Docksteader on wednesday.
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Old 01-03-2005, 02:15 PM   #10
KIMUTAKU
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i never have this smell from last 2 winters.. and i don't have it yet..

BUT, i did have it when i had my hks uppipe! it was very noticable.. i had catless dp and exhaust, no smell, then put in the uppipe, wow... big smell!

i have the service bulletin printed out last winter too..
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Old 01-03-2005, 02:31 PM   #11
Nightrunner
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Do you guys think is the unburn fuel?
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Old 01-03-2005, 02:32 PM   #12
Bubba G
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My up pipe is still stock.

I usually park in a garage so I won't notice the smell in the mornings, I'm just worried when I go up to the mountains to baord, it'll get worst.

So I called DD this morning, the service rep said its normal to a certain extent, saying that during cold startups, the car injects extra fuel into the engine or something.............and he said I'll have to bring the car in and leave it overnight for them to further diagnose. I need to use my car daily, so I don't really have time to leave it there overnight. So I'm just crossing my fingers that the leak won't get any worst.
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Old 01-03-2005, 09:13 PM   #13
KIMUTAKU
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yea it smells like raw gasoline... like when you are at a gas station filling up..
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Old 01-04-2005, 01:31 AM   #14
polaris
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its a known problem, yeah. Its not a recall I think since there is no danger, so the dealer does not have to repair it under warranty, but they might.
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Old 01-04-2005, 01:42 AM   #15
Bubba G
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Quote:
Originally Posted by polaris
its a known problem, yeah. Its not a recall I think since there is no danger, so the dealer does not have to repair it under warranty, but they might.
You sure its safe? I just freaks me out, the engine is running and my cabin smells like a gas station. As long as its safe, I'll just leave the HVAC on recirculate during cold warmups.
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Old 01-04-2005, 02:03 AM   #16
polaris
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maybe '15 STI?

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I read some thread on here and it was mentioned it was safe, otherwise it would have become a recall. Some 3rd party investigates these problems....it was a USA govern,ment agency of some sort. Search for the thread maybe....I hvae no idea where it was.
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Old 01-04-2005, 12:00 PM   #17
lostmind
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damn, I got the same thing last night
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Old 01-04-2005, 01:38 PM   #18
Nightrunner
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Just put more air reflesher to put away the smell. Works great!
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Old 01-04-2005, 06:34 PM   #19
banman
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There's a huge thread on it:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...5&goto=newpost

I had the "raw fuel" smell problem when I was in Fernie last year and the dealer fixed it for free under the TSB, even though they couldn't replicate it (actually, they didn't even bother trying, since it usually requires cold temps).

I can't see how fuel leaking onto the engine block isnt a safety issue, though.
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Old 01-17-2005, 02:30 AM   #20
sovietjet
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I have that smell on cold starts and i have an hks uppipe too
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Old 01-17-2005, 10:22 AM   #21
veightkiller
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yup it happens to me.......just leave it...it will go away....mine did...
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Old 01-17-2005, 03:40 PM   #22
Bubba G
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It was horrible last week, with temps constantly below freezing! Quite annoying thing, can't believe they don't do like a cold weather testing or use higher quality fuel hoses. Lately I've just learnt to live with it by leaving the HVAC at recirculating for the first 5-10mins of startup.
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Old 01-18-2005, 12:18 AM   #23
JasonCSU
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I just noticed it for the first time this winter as well.
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