Chasing gas smell

[jay2015]

Hi All,

I have a 2003 Boxster-S with 50K miles. I have learned a lot from this forum and have been able to do few things. Recently, I have been chasing two things.

Gas Smell:

1. When I park the car in the garage and go to garage afterwords, I could smell gas. I researched the forum and first thing I noticed was cracked seal on the gas cap. I bought a OEM gas cap and replaced it.

2. After replacing gas cap, I did not smell any gas for a week, I had put just a few gallons to keep the level low just in case I need to replace the sending unit. When the level got to feed me, I started to smell gas very faint (like 5% of the original level i.e. before changing gas cap)

I also checked the sending unit yesterday and did not see any evidence (dirt, too clean or raw fuel) on the sending unit. So I am assuming the sending unit is ok. I put in 8 gallons today and will keep an ear on it .

3. Like lots of other people I have difficulty fueling the car. The fueling works great if I leave the key in ignition with on (not starting the car), the car takes fuel and the pump stops when the car is full like it should.

I read a lot about above and checked and replaced E6 even though it looks fine. However, what is the connection between ignition off and not fueling and fuels fine with ignition on? If I remove the front right wheel and start looking at the vent valve what should I be looking at from troubleshooting perspective.

Best regards,

Jay

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by jay2015

Hi All,

I have a 2003 Boxster-S with 50K miles. I have learned a lot from this forum and have been able to do few things. Recently, I have been chasing two things.

Gas Smell:

1. When I park the car in the garage and go to garage afterwords, I could smell gas. I researched the forum and first thing I noticed was cracked seal on the gas cap. I bought a OEM gas cap and replaced it.

2. After replacing gas cap, I did not smell any gas for a week, I had put just a few gallons to keep the level low just in case I need to replace the sending unit. When the level got to feed me, I started to smell gas very faint (like 5% of the original level i.e. before changing gas cap)

I also checked the sending unit yesterday and did not see any evidence (dirt, too clean or raw fuel) on the sending unit. So I am assuming the sending unit is ok. I put in 8 gallons today and will keep an ear on it .

3. Like lots of other people I have difficulty fueling the car. The fueling works great if I leave the key in ignition with on (not starting the car), the car takes fuel and the pump stops when the car is full like it should.

I read a lot about above and checked and replaced E6 even though it looks fine. However, what is the connection between ignition off and not fueling and fuels fine with ignition on? If I remove the front right wheel and start looking at the vent valve what should I be looking at from troubleshooting perspective.

Best regards,

Jay

Do you get a check engine light? It could be an EVAP leak, and if so, the light should come on and whatever the code is should direct you. You may have to take it to a shop to smoke the system to find the leak.

The sending unit wouldn't cause gas fumes, so unless you have another reason to change it, that's not causing your problem.

Regarding the difficulty filling, I haven't experience it so I cannot comment.

Good luck.

[particlewave]

The trouble fueling is a dead giveaway. Bad vent on the filler neck.
Google it

[jay2015]

The vent is what I am going to look next. However, why fueling works fine when key is in the ignition and turned to on (not starting the car, just before that)