HELP! strong smell of gas when car is idling.

[josieonetooth]

I have a 90 tt, i turned it on last night and let it run and it started smelling like gas really bad, enough to give me a headache. its only happened once so far. maybe it has something to do with it being cold out? i'm new to all of this, i just bought my car on saturday. what could this be? thanks

[240six]

Do you smell raw fuel or unburnt exhaust?

When there is no smell, put the key in acc and make sure you hear the fuel pump turn on then stop. Do not start the car. If you smell raw fuel without starting the car, then look for fuel leaks.

If it is unburnt exhaust you smell, then you may need a tune or cats if you don't have any.

[josieonetooth]

I Probably need a tune then it only smelt when i turned it on. where could i go to get it tuned? and how much would it cost? sorry, im only 17 and very inexperienced

[cjdubs]

i would be sure to check this out http://s95014253.onlinehome.us/63104/155876.html. might save you some money. i know i had a gas smell.. and it was my fuel pressure regulator on my drivers side. pretty much could only smell it when car was not moving and cold. could really smell it if i had my heater on.

[josieonetooth]

thanks! i will definately cheack all of those clamps before anything else.

[Sothran]

We should really make a sticky about the cold weather checking of the fuel clamps ritual. I am sure it would help alot of new Z owners, especially in some of the cooler, more northern parts of the country.

[300ZXbyCP]

josieonetooth, I have been down this path before, our '92 300ZX na had strong raw fuel smell only on occasion, especially on a cold start. There are several fuel lines that should be replaced / inspected. We used metric fuel line with a blue teflon liner bought at Autozone. Once installed, no more leaks!!! Here is a list of their locations:* on top left rear from fuel regulator to fuel rail* on top front from left fuel rail to right fuel rail* on top right rear from fuel rail to dampener* and of course the longer fuel lines from the filter to regulator and dampener to fuel tank return

Generally, these are not checked or changed during a "tune-up". Using the blue teflon lined hose means no re-checking after outside temp changes.

Best of luck.....

[Garguantua]

Hi, i have the same probleme i have look at all my fuel line nothing leak. just when i start the car it start to smell but from the muffler in the back. Is it possible that it smell cause one of my cylinder is not burning the fuel?

[BigTDogg (MA)]

You most likely have a leaking injector, or a dead coil pack preventing the cylinder from combusting. Perform a power balance test to see if you can determine the dead cylinder. I'll leave this in general till you reply, then it goes to Technical.

Welcome to Nico!

[300ZXttZMAN]

Welcome to Nico! Do a compression test and make sure you don't have a boost leak. Before I started my rebuild my Z had low compression (125psi in all cylinders) I also had a hole the size of a quarter in my RH IC.

Gas was coming out in liquid form dripping out of my exhaust (<not exaggerated)... So yea thats what started my rebuild.

Welcome to Nico!!

[TTkickedin]

might we lead this car newb to How to do a compression test, or how to check a fuel system? He mentioned he's very inexperienced.


For now, OP, search the tech forums and scour google in your efforts to learn what you need and how to check fuel systems and diagnose issues if you don't want to take it to a mechanic.

Post up here in the tech forums your issues in searching for the cause of this gas smell. take the two mod's advice, check compression and check your fuel system. I'd spoon feed the information for you but I'd like to leave work on time today.