HELP!!...Gas smell when starting.

[phog604]

I have 1999 Pathfinder that blows out this scent of burning gas when I start it in the morning. Any ideas what the problem is???Thanks ahead!

[Densetsu]

Most vehicles blow out the scent of burnt gas. In a four-stroke engine, once the gas/air mixture has been compressed and ignited, it will go through the power stroke, then send the exhaust out. That is likely what you are smelling.

If, on the other hand, you are smelling unburnt gas, then it could be a number of things. The ECU on a lot of vehicles will use a rich air/fuel mixture when the engine is cold, just to help warm things up faster. After the engine is warmed up a bit, the ECU sets the air/fuel mixture to normal. My '03 Pathy does this, for example.

If this just started recently, though, could be a number of things. First off, any check engine light? Could be an O2 sensor, or your air filter needs replacing, or your temperature sensor is out of whack. Regardless, if it goes away after the engine warms up, it shouldn't be too much of a worry.