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What are the causes of fuel smell?

Old Dec 28, 2011 | 06:14 PM
  #1  
Flash1034's Avatar
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From: Southern California
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter
Default What are the causes of fuel smell?

Since yesterday, at idle, I smell gas. Don't see any leaks, runs great. Any ideas of what to look for?

Thanks,

Flash
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Old Dec 28, 2011 | 06:19 PM
  #2  
prerunner1982's Avatar
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From: Edmond, OK
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 ltr
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Where did you look for leaks? Actually on the engine or just underneath?

I had a fuel pressure regulator start leaking on mine and it would only leak when I first started it up and would quit once the pressure was built up. Eventually is sprung a leak that was more like a faucet.. lol. I didn't initially see the leak as the first time I checked was after it had been running. The fuel pressure regulator is on the front end of the fuel rail, at least it was on my 93. Easy to get to, a bit of a pain to get back in, the o-rings on the new unit are a tight fit.

You say it only smells at idle, if you can't smell it while driving then the air rushing through the engine compartment is most likely taking the fumes away. What setting is your A/C-Heat on? If you put it to vent I would imagine you would smell the fuel smell more.
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Old Dec 28, 2011 | 06:23 PM
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J0E13's Avatar
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From: Mint Hill
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Straight Six!
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Fuel Injector. You throwing any codes?
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Old Dec 28, 2011 | 07:00 PM
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From: MI 48642
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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I had a leaking fuel filter that before it got really bad, would disperse the fuel over a large enough area on the filter that it would evaporate before enough could drip off. I could smell it for a week or two before the leak got big enough to actually drip.
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Old Dec 28, 2011 | 09:28 PM
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Flash1034's Avatar
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From: Southern California
Year: 1997
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Not throwing any codes. Running great and my year has no external fuel filter. Please keep the ideas coming.

Thanks,

Flash
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Old Dec 28, 2011 | 09:35 PM
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hankthetank's Avatar
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From: Edmonton
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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I just did all of my injectors cause three of them popped at once. Smelled fuel for a couple days before it got really bad. Did the filter at the same time. Then I fired it up got underneath and looked with a flash light, back to front to check EVERYTHING.
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Old Dec 29, 2011 | 10:02 AM
  #7  
fishtaconc's Avatar
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Evap. system leak? Are you smelling it in the cab or outside? A smoke test is a good plan B if you cant figure it out on your own.
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Old Dec 29, 2011 | 10:09 AM
  #8  
paulisawesomer's Avatar
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From: Chicago(ish)
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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Fuel tank? Couldn't figure out where the smell was coming from, found out that the tank was leaking at one of the seams (I wimped out and had someone replace it for me I'm sorry to admit) but I couldn't find it until it got bigger as it was dripping on the skid plate (right term?) that is between the gas tank and straps.
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Old Dec 29, 2011 | 08:38 PM
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Flash1034's Avatar
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From: Southern California
Year: 1997
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Inside the cabin. Fuel injectors look good. No sign of leaking in the engine compartment. I'll check out the gas tank tomorrow. Sure wish I could figure it out.

Flash
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Old Dec 29, 2011 | 10:51 PM
  #10  
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From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
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Engine: 4.0,2.5
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I guess fuel pressure shouldn't drop more than 20 lbs in 1/2 an hr. If your filter back under by the tank was leaking I wouldn't expect it to smell in the cab..maybe. You might keep it under pressure for a while cold, cycling the key on and off now and then if necessary. That might get it to accumulate enough to see it without having it evaporate right away.

Sans a pressure tester, gas will spurt out when you push in the little deal on the Schrader ?? valve.

Guys often post they are smelling gas when that stupid little tube to the MAP sensor has disintegrated, causing the MAP to tell the PCM to "provide" more fuel.
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