Mysterious smell of petrol inside and outside car while parked

montybeme · 04-01-2018 03:06PM #1

So....I've had this issue since I bought my used car a few months ago. It is an 2004 Toyota Corolla.
There is a strong smell of petrol/oil/something similar coming from inside of the car. It appears to be coming from the side that the petrol tank is located. The smell is most noticeable inside the car after it has been driven a distance and parked.
For example: If I drive 10-20 miles and park ,when I return to the car the inside stinks of the fumes. However, I also notice the smell from the outside of the car on the side the petrol tank is located. I DO NOT notice the smell while driving. I also dont think the smell is coming from the interior.

I had my mechanic investigate all the fuel sources and areas around the fuel tank and he could not find any leaks. Has anyone ever come across an issue like this?
Apart from this problem the car is in immaculate driving condition which makes me reluctant to sell.

Any help/info is greatly appreciated!

mistress_gi · 04-01-2018 03:10PM

I had a similar issue and it turns out it was the fuel pump that needed replacing. Maybe get that checked as well.

montybeme · 04-01-2018 03:21PM

mistress_gi wrote: »

I had a similar issue and it turns out it was the fuel pump that needed replacing. Maybe get that checked as well.

Thanks for the suggestion. I believe my mechanic checked that. Where is it located?

biko · 04-01-2018 03:55PM

Usually under backseat.

If smell is both outside and inside I think perhaps the fuelling pipe is leaking and this wafts inside car through gaps in bodywork.

I suppose mech checked for puddles under car when parked - on the ground under the fuel cap and around rear wheel.

montybeme · 04-01-2018 04:19PM

biko wrote: »

Usually under backseat.

If smell is both outside and inside I think perhaps the fuelling pipe is leaking and this wafts inside car through gaps in bodywork.

I suppose mech checked for puddles under car when parked - on the ground under the fuel cap and around rear wheel.

Yep...all clear!

Stoolbend · 04-01-2018 09:01PM

Check the filler pipe in the lh rear wheel arch. It's more than likely corroded through.

smuggler.ie · 05-01-2018 09:05PM

montybeme wrote: »

So....I've had this issue since I bought my used car a few months ago. It is an 2004 Toyota Corolla.
There is a strong smell of petrol/oil/something similar coming from inside of the car. It appears to be coming from the side that the petrol tank is located. The smell is most noticeable inside the car after it has been driven a distance and parked.
For example: If I drive 10-20 miles and park ,when I return to the car the inside stinks of the fumes. However, I also notice the smell from the outside of the car on the side the petrol tank is located. I DO NOT notice the smell while driving. I also dont think the smell is coming from the interior.

I had my mechanic investigate all the fuel sources and areas around the fuel tank and he could not find any leaks. Has anyone ever come across an issue like this?
Apart from this problem the car is in immaculate driving condition which makes me reluctant to sell.

Any help/info is greatly appreciated!

Had similar, and horible discovery...... fuel filter, located under car back left wheel, rusted tiny pin hole, was seeping petrol - just damp stain.
Worth to check filter.

montybeme · 08-04-2018 11:26AM

Well lads.
So...the mystery continues... My mechanic was going to replace the fuel pipe but realised that it was not necessary. Hew also said he could not find a trace of any leaks anywhere around the tank. But the smell is still coming and going. What's confusing is that sometimes it is worse than others.
Any further suggestions or any idea of somewhere I could get a diagnostic/second opinion?
Otherwise, I think its time to rebuy!

Mysterious smell of petrol inside and outside car while parked

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