I drive an 88 Cherokee and have been noticing a really strong fuel odor when I drive. I am still getting like 15 miles to the gallon so if there is a leak it cant be that big. Should I be concerned or is it just an older jeep? Help me out please, I am new to this.

 

i have the same problem. right when it started to smell gas my cam shaft posistioning sensor started coming on. there could be no link but just giving some feedback

and ive been getting around 15 mpg also since this light came on, i was getting a little better before

 

that can be very dangerous! find the leak quick, check the injectors, fuel lines, check the fuel tank for pressure at the cap

 

i would start by checking for leaks in your fuel line, and around your fuel filter. it could be as simple as a loose clamp.

 

Hi, I had the same problem with my 90 when I bought it a few years ago. I checked the engine and found out that a couple of the injectors were leaking. I went to the JY and picked up a set off a newer Jeep and installed new o-rings. Problem solved.

I also keep a full charged fire extinquisher in each of my vehicles. On my Cherokee, I removed the plastic panel on right side of the drivers seat base, replaced it with a triangular piece of plywood and bolted the extinquisher to it. Watching a vehicle burn to the ground because nobody has a fire extinquisher sucks. When it is yours, it sucks even more.

 

I actually just read today that there is a canister up by the firewall with a filter in it, if that filter gets clogged it can cause a fuel odor in the engine bay, it is part of the evaporative emmissions system, don't know if the older cherokees have it though, mine does and it is a 93.

 

is the filer changeable then?

 

i dont think you have the canister actually. My Haynes Manual says 84-90 has the EGR system.

 

I have the same problem. I never really thought much of it, but now that i got some ideas i'm going to look into it. I like the fire extinguisher idea too.

 

i had the same thing start happening in my 2000, but i did the neon injector swap and it went away, im thinking my stock injectors were leaking, glad its fixed, i get worried whenever i smell a burning smell of any sort, its always another car though haha

 

Thanks for the Info guys that helps a lot, I will check into all of those. The fire extinguisher is a great idea.

 

Been there...done that...never wanted the t-shirt.

 

I recently had this on my 92 XJ and it was the fuel pressure regulator. I started sniffing around the fuel rail to see where the leak was coming from. When I got to the fuel pressure regulator, the smell was really strong. I put a flashlight on it and could see a little moisture, so the o-ring(s) had probably failed. Easy to replace, but sort of an expensive part for how small it is ($60).

 

The same thing happened to my 2000 XJ last summer - the terrible gas odor and the check engine light that signified a major emissions leak. I took the Jeep in to the mechanic to locate the source of the leak, and it turned out to be... are you ready? A $17 gas cap that had gone bad. It's worth checking your gas cap before replacing the more expensive parts! :-)

 

If you have the 2 peice fuel injectors they are most likily leaking find out fast before your xj burns down.