so ever since I got my car ive had a strong raw fuel smell and ive replaced the general tune up stuff, fuel filter,plugs,wires,etc. the smell comes from the rear of the car and is very noticeable when stopped or cruising at low speeds.
the other day I was reving my engine and noticed kind of popping under the car, one of my friends suggested looking for exhaust leaks, haven't got around to it yet but im kind of leaning towards that as well.

so my question is does that seem to make logical sense and is there a better way to check for leaks or is it just a visual thing. and also is there like a compound that seals it up (if small enough). its in pretty decent shape. what are the usual places to check at?

 

If you have an exhaust leak, you would hear it. gasoline and exhaust don't smell the same. check your hoses underneath the car, they're rubber. We all know how well rubber holds up to time.

 

the thing is I smell gas out of my exhaust. it runs very rich.

 

Then I would suggest fixing that problem first.

 

... trying to get there. I was asking if having exhaust leaks can make your car run rich.

 

Not unless it's leaking before the o2 sensor.

 

Which type of car/engine are we talking about?

 

Is the fuel smell more noticeable when the tank is full than when it is half, or less?

If so, you may have a crack at the joint of the filler neck and the tank.

 

Exhaust leaks are easy enough to find with the the car lifted and the engine idling. Use your ears and you can run your hand along the pipe, don't touch it, and feel for hot exhaust escaping. I also use a tube or a piece of hose held to my ear as a sort of stethiscope to help zero in on leaks. If you think the fuel smell is from rich exhaust, the exhaust would have to be sooty and black, very rich, to smell like raw fuel. The engine would run like snot. More likely, you have an exhaust leak and also a problem either with fuel hoses under the car at the tank, or with you evaporative emissions(EVAP) system. Fuel puts off vapors, especially in warm weather. If the charcoal canister isn't trapping all the vapors, you will smell fuel. A clogged canister will cause the vapors to escape through the vapor management valve under the car(little white plastic piece, looks like a filter). You may also have a crack in a vapor hose or a leaky gas cap seal.

 

its a 92 Camaro 3.1, I know some of these had bad tanks from the factory im hoping its not that.


ill get under my car and check again. I haven't been able to find any noticeable fuel leaks but it might be fuel vapors. its always from the rear or the car. thanks for the tips guys. ill get back to you when I have the chance to lift my car again