2001 Buick Regal LS - smells like fresh gas

CUSHING1961

MEMBER
2001 BUICK REGAL

3.8 engine, over 100K miles. I have no idea where the smell is coming from. I have no obvious leaks, no obvious reasons that I can see, but the smell fills the garage. I think I notice it when the air conditioner has been running, but really I have no direct connection to what may cause it. I never smell it inside of the car. I left the car outside of the garage last night to see if it was actually something IN the garage itself (like an open gas can), but there wasn't and there is no denying it that sometimes the car just smells like gas. Is this dangerous? Recent repairs: Front wheel Hub assembly. A mechanic also recently welded exhaust under car where pipe meets gasket then more pipe because the gasket had a leak. Now there is nothing but pipe under there. We had an oil change today and they looked for some cause, but found nothing, including no smell. But when I got home, it was back! Any ideas?

Thursday, July 19th, 2007 AT 11:16 PM

2 Replies

CLY

MECHANIC
308 POSTS

First thing I would check is the fuel pressure regulator. The regulator is located on the front of the fuel injector rail. You need to remove the plastic engine cover to see it. Remove the vacumn line off of it and see if fuel is leaking out. You may have to check it after it has ran awhile and is up to temp. Check it with the engine off. How does the car start and run? Seem to start-up quickly or does it crank for awhile first? When it does start-up does it run smoothly or does it run rough and then smooth out?

Cly

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Friday, July 20th, 2007 AT 5:09 AM

CUSHING1961

MEMBER
3 POSTS

After I dry out (we had 7 inches of rain here in New Braunfels, Tx today!) I will check. I actually got caught in a flooded road today. Very scary. One second there was road, the next we were under water to the bottom of the door. If I had gone with the other cars ahead of me it would have been midway up my door in water.

Ok. Answers: Usually the car starts fine, but lately on a few start ups it didn't want to turn over immediately. Not typical for this car, and it started the second try with no problems. So I think my answer is with one or two exceptions, it starts just fine. It also runs well. It does seem to use more gas lately. Not sure if it is the hot weather we are having, or if it is something to do with the "problem". This is an excellent place for us to start, and we will check it asap. Thank you so much. I will add more if need be!

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