Hi all. I have been chasing a gas smell for about two months. I *think* it is coming from the front, but I honestly can't be sure; it is very elusive. It is a "fresh gas" smell and not a dirty fume sort of smell.
Here is what I have done so far:
Dropped the tank (three times -- don't ask) and replaced the filler and overflow hoses, the vent lines, and the gas feed line. I also replaced the large round seal around the fuel pump and inspected the locking collar. Pressure/smoke tested the tank with a home made smoke machine and didn't find any leaks. I even removed the skid plate and inspected every inch for a damaged area. Nothing.
I have inspected -- inch by inch -- the fuel line running all the way from the tank up to the rail. Done so with the engine off and with it running. Sprayed soap solution on all fittings. Nothing.
Replaced the injector O rings and cleaned all the mating surfaces. Rail looks good. Nothing obviously wrong with the rail damper. Isolated the rail (while installed) from the fuel line and smoke tested. Nothing. Also pressurized with air at 40 lbs and did not find anything.
I've smoke tested the evap system and found a few minor leaks. (One was the injector O ring (above). Replaced/fixed the others. I've inspected the LDP and the purge valve. Didn't find anything visible or anything that smelled. Checked all lines and elbows/fittings. Purge valve is ticking away when engine runs. Vapor canister does not have any liquid fuel and actually does not smell too bad when hoses are removed.
I did a leak down test off the schrader on the rail. When running, the pressure is a solid 48. It DOES leak down almost immediately when I shut off the engine. I suspect a bad check valve in the pump, even though no other symptoms of bad pressure. (I let the pressure build for a few secs before cranking to start.) I don't understand why a check valve problem would result in a gas smell, so I am trying to not let that test distract me from finding the source of the leak.
More about the smell -- all driving done with soft top on and AC blowing. On recirculate, the smell is not too bad in the cabin. On Fresh, it is noticeable inside. Outside the vehicle I can smell gas strongly from up front. Only occasionally near the rear but that could just be things blowing around. Noticeable right after driving, and even 10-15 mins later when coming back.
Any ideas on what I might be missing? I have not seen a single drop of gas anywhere on the engine, the tank/lines, or the ground!
2002 Wrangler X with 4.0. Stock.
Here is what I have done so far:
Dropped the tank (three times -- don't ask) and replaced the filler and overflow hoses, the vent lines, and the gas feed line. I also replaced the large round seal around the fuel pump and inspected the locking collar. Pressure/smoke tested the tank with a home made smoke machine and didn't find any leaks. I even removed the skid plate and inspected every inch for a damaged area. Nothing.
I have inspected -- inch by inch -- the fuel line running all the way from the tank up to the rail. Done so with the engine off and with it running. Sprayed soap solution on all fittings. Nothing.
Replaced the injector O rings and cleaned all the mating surfaces. Rail looks good. Nothing obviously wrong with the rail damper. Isolated the rail (while installed) from the fuel line and smoke tested. Nothing. Also pressurized with air at 40 lbs and did not find anything.
I've smoke tested the evap system and found a few minor leaks. (One was the injector O ring (above). Replaced/fixed the others. I've inspected the LDP and the purge valve. Didn't find anything visible or anything that smelled. Checked all lines and elbows/fittings. Purge valve is ticking away when engine runs. Vapor canister does not have any liquid fuel and actually does not smell too bad when hoses are removed.
I did a leak down test off the schrader on the rail. When running, the pressure is a solid 48. It DOES leak down almost immediately when I shut off the engine. I suspect a bad check valve in the pump, even though no other symptoms of bad pressure. (I let the pressure build for a few secs before cranking to start.) I don't understand why a check valve problem would result in a gas smell, so I am trying to not let that test distract me from finding the source of the leak.
More about the smell -- all driving done with soft top on and AC blowing. On recirculate, the smell is not too bad in the cabin. On Fresh, it is noticeable inside. Outside the vehicle I can smell gas strongly from up front. Only occasionally near the rear but that could just be things blowing around. Noticeable right after driving, and even 10-15 mins later when coming back.
Any ideas on what I might be missing? I have not seen a single drop of gas anywhere on the engine, the tank/lines, or the ground!
2002 Wrangler X with 4.0. Stock.