1999 Chevy Blazer GAS SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

JBAGS

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET BLAZER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
165,000 MILES

We just moved to nevada and were driving the other day. The vehicle is running hot which is not the main concern. As we were driving a Smell of gas came into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. It smelled as if a gas can was sitting right next to me with fresh gas in it. We had to roll down the windows and basically drove the car straight home and parked it. Any suggestions on what this may be and how to fix. Scared to drive it now with such a strong smell of gas in the car while driving. Also right when this happened the check engine light came on which has never once come on in past. Any help would be great

5 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Open the hood and carefuly look around for any fuel leaking under the hood or around the fuel line area. Start teh car and watch then. It may be the spider under the intake that is giving you the prpoblem. Of course don't smoke around it while doing this.

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Monday, June 28th, 2010 AT 5:49 PM

JBAGS

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3 POSTS

I did notice some wet area back behind the throttle body. There are two lines coming from this area and it looks like something spilled over at some point and dried. And there looks like there is liquid down there. I believe this area is located right by the evac. Port. But im not sure. And what I didnt mention before is shortly before this happened I stopped for fuel and when I opened my gas cap alot of air came out and I mean alot. It basically made my shirt move so the gas tank had alot of pressure in it. Maybe this info will help with the diagnosis. After this is when the smell started.]

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Monday, June 28th, 2010 AT 5:55 PM

HMAC300

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48,601 POSTS

Try wiping down the liquid and see if the smell goes away. The lines that are in the back of the throttle body are the fuel lines, so I t may be a one time thing. Then start the truck and see if you are leaking fuel. Also the return lline going to the tank from the throttle body may be plugged, so you might check that. It is the smaller line going to the tank.

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Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 AT 7:59 AM

JBAGS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The liquid is now dry so there is just like a stain there. I have ran the vehicle and dont see any leaks anywhere and driven it a few short distances so maybe it is okay. Is it possible that if the fuel tank built up alot of pressure that some relief valve or something under the hood let the pressure out and that is what caused the one time leak and strong smell of gas. Im hoping it is nothing major would hate to have a fire. Ive inspected alot and see nothing leaking while running so that is what is baffling. Where those two fuel lines go into that area are there o rings or anything there that could be bad causing fuel to pool in that area causing the smell.I wish I had a diagram to show you where it is.

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Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 AT 10:30 AM

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

You could have a blocked vent line in the gas tank. That may cause the pressure to build. It cold also be an evaporator problem as well but I think it would set an engine code light. There are o-rings on all the fuel lines, but they would only leak if they have been off then back on again. There cold have been a things that have caused this but I really think itis a one time thing.