'94 maxima strong fuel odor inside cab

[canucklehead]

I noticed my '94 Maxima sometimes gets very over-powering odors of fuel, in the cab. The filler neck at the gas cap area seems a bit rusty. There is a plastic shroud around the rest of the filler neck, so i can't see what the rest of it is like, although I think it's mostly a rubber hose. On another occasion, a friend and I noticed some fuel on the ground near where I had parked and we could really smell it, although I haven't noticed that problem as much, and i park in a covered garage, so you'd think that would be obvious.

Anyone else ever replace a filler neck? OR..have fuel odor issues?

Who has a fair/cheap price for this part?? Nissan wants way too much.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Rust in the fuel filler isn't terribly uncommon with these cars.Even considering that, though, I doubt that is the cause of the gas smell. The VG is pretty notorious for gas smell when it gets cold. The problem is the fuel lines in the engine bay. Make sure they're all in good condition and that they're all secure. My guess is this is where your strong gas smell is coming from.

Even if the filler neck isn't the cause of the smell, I'd certainly replace it or have it repaired. Leaking fuel vapors could be dangerous.

[canucklehead]

Even if the filler neck isn't the cause of the smell, I'd certainly replace it or have it repaired. Leaking fuel vapors could be dangerous.

THANK YOU!!!!! This is part of the reason I'm peeved with Nissan. I had an '86 Honda Prelude SE (one of the nicest driving cars I've ever owned!!). Anyways, the filler neck rusted out. When i had it apart, i went to Honda for the part. They told me to bring it in as it was recalled. It was too late, but at least the part was free.

So Nissan has a TSB about this filler neck, but I guess they don't see it as a safety issue. That means I have to pay full retail of $200 for the neck.

thanks fors the info. I do notice the odor is much more noticeable after putting in fuel, but not necessarily after filling it up all the way, just adding fuel.

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I could have sworn Nissan did a recall in fuel filler assemblys -- but it might have been my old Stanza....

I just recently had the heavy fuel smell / gas on the ground with my 95 Maxima. I asked a shop to look into it while they checked out a trouble code situation - they seemed reluctant to fool with it saying it would be expensive to drop the tank and find the problem, so I checked it out myself when I got the car back. I realized it would only leak fuel when completely filled, so I didn't think it was the large hose from the filler neck to the tank -- that would leak anytime you put any amount of gas in it. It ended up being a simple vent hose between the filler and the tank had started to dry-rot and cracked from old age - like 1/2" sized hose about a foot long...And, once again I was reminded why I like my Nissans -- these filler assy. hose connections are all on the front corner of the tank, so I didn't have to drop the tank, just change out the piece of hose -- it took all of about 15 minutes to fix.

[canucklehead]

thanks for that. I will have a good look at my hose. i think I need to remove the shroud to get a good idea of what's going on there. but who wants to do that when it's freezing and snowing!!!!!

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I found my problem just by jacking it up and looking at it from below -- you'll probably be able to trace the stains from it leaking right to the bad spot.

[canucklehead]

it never leaks in my garage.

[maximafan]

Is it any wonder auto manufactures are having a hard time lately? Something as important as a fuel filler corrosion issue that is virtually ignored by the company just proves that manufactures don't really care. Hey, I don't mean to trash Nissan; all manufactures have their issues. In this case however, I feel Nissan should have addressed the issue which affects many of its models. I own a 1994 Axxess. Great vehicle. Yet because the shroud, covering just the lower part of the filler tube was inadequate, dirt built up up behind the tube higher up, rusting out the metal breather tube and the body metal beside the shock tower. Fumes could enter the cabin easily. what a mess! I had to fix the body work and replace the rusty filler tube. Here's a simple tip to determine if your filler tube is bad: Just open the gas cap. If you hear a hissing (built up pressure escaping), then chances are the filler tube is ok because the system is air tight (until you release the cap)Nissan should have fixed this issue. In fact on newer Maximas/Altimas I've seen the filler tube is fully exposed (no shroud!). If you have a Nissan I encourage you to inspect this part immediatley. Take off any shroud and FEEL for built up dirt (especially in areas where salt/sand is used on the roads) If there's a build up, poke at it with a screwdriver to dislodge/loosen up the debris then take a hose and wash the area thorougly. You will be amazed at the amount of dirt that can come out!

Caution: Corrosion may have set it and cleaning the dirt "dam" may open op holes in the body/filler tube.

Shame on Nissan for this engineering oversight!!

[canucklehead]

WOW! As I re-read the reply from maximafan, he pretty much pegged my issue bang on.

so my wife was really complaining about the fuel odor today when they did a highway trip. Weather was a bit nicer today, so I removed rear wheel and pulled the filler neck shroud off. There are 4 plastic body plugs holding this shroud on. You just push in the center of the plug, then pry the whole plug out with a thin blade screwdriver. they are exactly the same style of plug used for fenders on Suzuki ATVs. Anyways, i was SHOCKED at the amount of crud build up. It was mostly sand, maybe from sanding the roads?? I cleaned out at least 5lbs of sand (no exaggeration...probably more). 2 full, overflowing dustpans worth. It was a mess. The sand was packed all around the filler neck. There is a small hole on the filler neck, just above where the vent tube vents into the filler neck. I'm not sure if this hole is supposed to be there to help the venting process, OR, if it's rusted through in one spot. it looks almost symetrical, so i thought maybe it's supposed to be there.

nice spot too. there is now rust in the quarter panel, near the shock mount and immediately above the gas cap/filler neck. big hole. I'm not sure what will work to patch/plug this up. I assume the sand was helping keep this plugged and maybe even preventing odors from getting in. For now, I've stuck a rag in the hole and tried to put duct tape around it. What can I use to properly seal off this hole? i think odors will continue until I fix it properly. I know the tape won't hold for long.

Will fiberglass stick to the metal? It's really hard to work in there.

heed maximafan's warning (and my warning too); REMOVE this shroud and clean out the crud. You will be horrified.

[VIPMaxima]

not sure about 3rd gen but 4ths have an O ring under the back seat that seals the fuel tank, if that goes bad, gas leaks in. check it out.

[canucklehead]

WOW.... we spent 2 full days fixing this. It was VERY UGLY. I'm starting a new post on this titled Serious Safety Issue Maxima fuel neck & seatbelt