For the last week or so, we've noticed a strong gas smell surrounding my jeep (02 GC Larado 4.0) whenever it's running, or just recently shut off. Inside the car smells fine.

It doesn't seem to be a fast leak or anything as I've noticed no drips on the garage floor, or puddles under the hood, no noticable effects in gas mileage, etc.

There's no doubt though that it's leaking gas from somewhere.. any ideas of where else I should be looking?

 

hmm i thought that was normal. well if theres no noticable leaks i would guess its vapor from a vent line or perhaps something wrong with the filler neck? i would start it up and inspect all along the fuel lines and return lines for a small leak. also check the fuel rail for a leaking oring or something. sorry i couldnt be more of a help. good luck

 

x2 Whatever he said

 

My 2002 Grand Cherokee 4.0 had a gas leak that was hard to find. The damper valve by the throttle body was dripping and burning off from the heat of the manifold. Would smell it going down the road or after parking. The way I found it was turn the key on to get pressure while Jeep is cold. feel under the damper valve, mine was dripping. The damper valve is NOT serviced by Jeep ,you buy the complete fuel rail for $231 OR pry the valve off carefully (tangs hold it on ) and replace the o-ring. Took me 3 tries and have not tried jeep out on the road yet (3rd try today.) . first try I chipped the o-ring, second try I tried a non hardning sealer for gas with new o-ring (still leaked) ; 3rd try I used red Rtv smeared all over the o-ring and waited 1 day to turn Jeep on ,so far no leak . o-rings I used are the fuel injector o-rings , but might be a better o-ring to use.

 

i know i dont own a yj, but check your gas cap... mine was loos and it made my jeep wreak of fuel

 

You might try a nitril O-ring. You should be able to get one the right size from a hydraulics supply house or an aircraft repair shop. The main reason for new o-rings to leak are; not the right size, scratched or knicked gland (seat), improper crush, or incompatibility to fluid.

Chances are, if you only smell gas when the engine is running or shortly after, you've got a pressure leak.

 

I also have a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Limited) with the same problem. Gas was leaking from the fuel damper. I carefully pried back the tabs on the fuel damper and took it off. I bought an o-ring for a fuel injector of the same year and model vehicle. Put the o-ring on the fuel damper and carefully pried the tabs back then reinstalled the fuel damper. This has been working great. I have had no problems so far at all. I think it is a little odd that this is not a part you can buy.

 

Hoopdaddy, did you ever figure out your problem? I'm having the same one. I've already replaced the orings and intake/exhaust manifold gasket. Inspected the exhaust collector, with no noticable cracks. I plan on checking the fuel damper as soon as my wife gets the thing home.

 

Nope. My solution was selling it. No more gas smell.

 

I would check all of your Injectors and just make sure they are all dry, and you can't see any wetness at the bottom or tops of them. I just had to replace a few o-rings on mine because they were leaky. Easy job. It always smelled strongly of gas when running and also when i shut it off.

 

Check the charcoal box? And the vacuum lines that run to it for damage or broken lines

 

My 2002 Grand Cherokee 4.0 had a gas leak that was hard to find. The damper valve on the fuel rail was dripping and burning off from the heat of the manifold. Would smell it going down the road or after parking. The way I found it was turn the key on to get pressure while Jeep is cold. look at the fuel rail damper valve, mine was dripping. The damper valve is NOT serviced by Jeep ,you buy the complete fuel rail for $231 OR pry the valve off carefully (tangs hold it on ) and replace the o-ring. Took me 3 tries (3rd try today.) . first try I changed the o-ring, second try I tried a non hardning sealer for gas with new o-ring (still leaked) ; 3rd try I used a hose clamp to go around the fuel rail and the damper valve and tightened it up . it has been a week and no leak . o-rings I used are the fuel injector o-rings , but might be a better o-ring to use.

 

would this O-ring be a possible answer for a 1998 Cherokee with the same symptom? If I fill to topping off, I see a gas puddle under the tank, but if I fill just where the pump stops, I only get the smell and then find seepage has darkened the pumpkin and part of the tank.

 

Friends

What is pressure leak?, pardon my ignorance

 

A leak that only appears when the fuel pump is running. The most common one is the fuel pressure damper on the fuel rail. It's a chamber full of air that smooths out pressure pulses caused by the injectors turning on and off when the engine is running. My 2000 Grand Cherokee 4.0L doesn't have one. It was something jeep added in later years.

In that statement you quoted, I found out injector o-rings ARE nitril.