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Old 01-03-2008, 03:59 AM   #1
thumpetto007
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Default Does cold weather + the fuel smell = fuel leak??!

I have a 2002 wrx with almost 100k. perrin turbo inlet hose, perrin up-pipe, aem cai, invidia tbe, grimmspeed phenolic manifold spacers and i recently got a protune. (200mi ago)

it's been really cold the past few days...my fuel meter (or whatever shows how much gas you have in the tank...) went from F to quarter in the span of 25mi ! I wasn't even the tiniest bit aggressive with the throttle, but my main suspect now is that I have a fuel leak. I have a very strong fuel smell, and i'm positive it's that "fuel smell in cold weather recall thing" that is causing that. I need some insight into what is going on. My mileage wasn't even close to as bad after the tune.

I also checked the engine bay for any thing loose or disconnected (that i could see) and underneath the car wherever i parked it during those few miles.

please and thank you.
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Old 01-03-2008, 04:04 AM   #2
03WRX-WRB
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id check your injectors to see if there leaking
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Old 01-03-2008, 04:24 AM   #3
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like check around them? or take them out and check the o-rings?
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Old 01-03-2008, 04:35 AM   #4
03WRX-WRB
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start the car go near them and smell
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Old 01-03-2008, 04:49 AM   #5
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i'll do that first thing tomarrow. everyone in my sub would kill me if i started the car up. it's almost 5 am.
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Old 01-03-2008, 04:50 AM   #6
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haha yeah send me a PM when you find out
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Old 01-03-2008, 07:50 AM   #7
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the recall was from a line on the fuel rail underneath the intake manifold. Im almost positive thats your problem as well, though to lose that much fuel is more then usual.

there is a hose that connects to metal lines on the fuel rail that was a little too short from the factory, and in cold weather it shrinks even more creating the leak.

If you can take the manifold off, you should be able to see it and replace it easily.
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Old 01-03-2008, 08:00 AM   #8
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tsb on this issue is well documented. search is your friend!!!!
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Old 01-03-2008, 09:36 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KAX View Post
the recall was from a line on the fuel rail underneath the intake manifold. Im almost positive thats your problem as well, though to lose that much fuel is more then usual.

there is a hose that connects to metal lines on the fuel rail that was a little too short from the factory, and in cold weather it shrinks even more creating the leak.

If you can take the manifold off, you should be able to see it and replace it easily.

there was never a recall, that is the big problem everyone has. your dealership/SOA may or may not cover it, or it might take alot of work on your part fighting through the system.
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Old 01-03-2008, 09:50 AM   #10
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I had this same problem on my 02 wrx last winter. It cost me $600 for the dealership to repair I would recommend either trying to get your dealer to cover it (Ive heard of some cases where they have, but with 100k I dont know) Or trying to take a stab at it yourself. If you do a search youll find some good illustrated directions on how to replace the hose. I just didnt have time for a project like that last winter, but hopefully you do!
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Old 01-03-2008, 10:04 AM   #11
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Yeah, I had this done last year by my mechanic buddy. He hopes to never have to do it again....PITA job. Beauty of a boxer motor
Mine was under the passenger side manifold. You can literally see the fuel dripping onto the manifold - scary
IIRC- it's both the hard and rubber line that is changed based on the TSB.
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Old 01-03-2008, 11:52 AM   #12
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This morning it was really really cold, 0F (or -18 c) and I started the car and as soon got out to scrape my windows, the fuel smell was horrible, I can hardly beleive a small "puddle or leak" under the manifold could create such a horrendous smell, is that issue worst than Subaru can make us beleive..???
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Old 01-03-2008, 12:01 PM   #13
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thanks for all the responses, but to let you guys know, i did know what the fuel smell was caused by, but unsure of the actual consequences of it happening.

so what i'm gathering is that the smell is caused by a leak, but how big of a leak just depends on too many things? So my fuel loss is probably due to a very bad leak? I think i'll go to a dealer with the printout of the documented problem and repair.
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Old 01-03-2008, 01:01 PM   #14
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Just to add, I read in other thread that it's possible to see the leak / puddle by looking under the manifold...anyone can show pic or instructions to how to actually see it? My fuel gauge also seems to go down quite fast... :S
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Old 01-03-2008, 02:08 PM   #15
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http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131755


only 1680 posts to sort through and the tsb in .pdf iirc
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Old 01-03-2008, 02:31 PM   #16
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Quote:
but unsure of the actual consequences of it happening.
gas leaking on hot engine... KABOOM! that or you die early of cancer from breathing the hydrocarbon fumes.

There haven't been any KNOWN documented suby's burning up from it, at least none that anyone has found yet. But it certainly could happen, fuel leaking in the engine compartment is bad.
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Old 01-03-2008, 03:47 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaxx View Post
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131755


only 1680 posts to sort through and the tsb in .pdf iirc
Any idea which page?
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Old 01-03-2008, 06:00 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rkramer View Post
gas leaking on hot engine... KABOOM! that or you die early of cancer from breathing the hydrocarbon fumes.

There haven't been any KNOWN documented suby's burning up from it, at least none that anyone has found yet. But it certainly could happen, fuel leaking in the engine compartment is bad.
on one of the TSB threads years ago there actually was someone whose engine bay caught fire. didnt burn anything other then the gasoline though, he put it out quickly, iirc.

my apologies for the misnomer, I only said recall because thats what the OP called it and i didnt think to correct him as he knew what he was talking about.
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Old 01-03-2008, 11:37 PM   #19
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I have this as well on my 03 wagon, but I can only smell it if I open my hood and stick my nose up to the intake manifold on the passenger side. Certainly nothing I can smell inside the vehicle. Definitely can't see anything pooling so I'm not terribly concerned at the moment. Still pretty annoying.
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Old 01-04-2008, 02:35 AM   #20
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the TSB is on page 50
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Old 12-19-2008, 02:13 PM   #21
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how do we fix the porblem?
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Old 12-19-2008, 03:50 PM   #22
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