Attention! Gasoline is a flammable liquid, be extremely careful when working on the fuel system. Do not smoke, do not use open flames, do not use a portable lamp with an open lamp in the work area. Do not work in a garage where there are gas appliances with a pilot wick (like water heaters and dryers). Since gasoline is also a carcinogen, wear protective gloves when handling it. If gasoline does get on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. Soak up spilled gasoline immediately with a rag. Do not store this rag in the garage. Keep a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher nearby. The fuel system is always pressurized, so first depressurize the system before disconnecting any fuel line.
1. If the cabin smells of gasoline, check the fuel system immediately.
2. Remove the fuel filler cap and carefully inspect its seal. If the seal is torn or corroded, replace the plug
3. Inspect the fuel supply and return hoses for breaks and cracking. Check the tightness of the fuel line fittings.
Warning! Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel injection system that is always under positive pressure. Before disassembling any connection, first depressurize the system (see chapter 4).
4. If fuel injectors are visible, check for leaks (damp spots around the nozzles). The leak may be repaired by replacing the injector o-ring (see chapter 4).
5. Since some elements of the fuel system - the fuel tank and partially the fuel supply and return hoses - are located under the car, it is more convenient to inspect them on a lift. If there is no lift, place the car on jack stands
6. Inspect the fuel tank and filler neck for holes, cracks, or other damage. A particular danger of damage is the connection of the filler neck with the tank. Sometimes a leak can occur in this place due to a poorly tightened clamp or due to the decomposition of rubber (pic. 30.6). Inspect all tank support brackets and clamps to ensure that the tank is securely fastened.
Warning! Under no circumstances should you attempt to repair the tank (except rubber parts). A welding torch or any other open flame will cause an explosion of fuel vapors that are always in the tank.
7. Carefully inspect the hoses and metal tubes coming from the tank. Check the tightness of the connections, the serviceability of the hoses and tubes. Replace defective sections (see chapter 4).
8. Gasoline odor may be from the EVAP system. This system is designed to keep fuel vapors in the carbon filter until it is possible to direct them to the intake manifold, where they mix with the air entering the engine and burn out in the cylinders.
9. A symptom of a malfunction in the fuel vapor recovery system is a persistent gas filling in the engine compartment. If a gasoline smell is detected, and you have examined all of its possible sources described above, check the carbon filter located behind the upper support of the front left suspension (on older models) or behind the bottom of the car (started on production models since 1998) (pic. 30.9).