What Causes a Strong Gasoline Smell in a Vehicle?
2 Answers
Vehicle gasoline smell is heavy because: 1. During cold engine start-up, the external temperature is too low, causing the mixture to not burn completely and be directly discharged through the exhaust pipe; 2. Issues with the carbon canister or carbon canister solenoid valve; 3. Excessive carbon deposits inside the engine, leading to poor mixture atomization; 4. The solenoid valve remains closed for an extended period; 5. Leakage from the fuel injector. Gasoline is refined from petroleum-derived straight-run gasoline components, catalytic cracking gasoline components, and catalytic reforming gasoline components. Different gasoline components are refined and blended with high-octane components, primarily used as fuel for spark-ignition internal combustion engines in vehicles.
With decades of car repair experience, I can say that a strong gasoline smell is mostly caused by fuel system leaks. Common culprits include cracked or aged fuel lines, a faulty gas cap seal, or a clogged charcoal canister. The charcoal canister absorbs fuel vapors, and when it fails, those vapors escape. Loose fuel injector connections or a faulty fuel pump can also cause drips, especially in hot weather when gasoline evaporates faster, making the smell more pungent and increasing fire risks. A friend's car once caught fire due to this, resulting in heavy losses. My advice: safely pull over immediately, open windows for ventilation, and check under the car for fuel stains. Don't attempt DIY fixes—head straight to a professional repair shop and consider a fuel system maintenance to prevent recurrence.
