Issue with Gasoline

WILLIAMS_EPH

MEMBER
NISSAN ALTIMA

97 Nissan Altima GXE (2.4L): 82,500 miles in Vermont

This past summer, I noticed a noticeable smell of gasoline when I approached my car in the parking lot. Initially, I thought the tank might have a leak in it but I could never find one and when colder temps came, I stopped smelling gasoline so I never went to a mechanic.

This past week I noticed the smell again but this time I also noticed a streak from the cover of the gas tank down the side of my car where gasoline had been running and evaporating on the exterior of the car. I opened the cover and saw a small stream of gas running from under the closed gas cap so I opened the gas cap and gasoline gusted out--I lost about 1/8 tank. The pressure hasn't built up again but everytime I open the doors of the car, the passenger compartment smells of gas even if I air it out. Ideas?

3 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

These odors, does it usually happen when you fill the tank?

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Monday, March 12th, 2007 AT 9:34 PM

WILLIAMS_EPH

MEMBER
2 POSTS

No, the smell of gas is present even if I haven't filled the tank. Usually if I approach the car in the parking lot I smell gas. When I open the driver's side door, I smell gas. And while I am still smelling gas, the pressure has not built up again forcing gas out of the tank.