What Causes a Strong Gasoline Smell in the Car?
2 Answers
The reasons for a strong gasoline smell in the car are: 1. Loose or broken nuts at the interfaces of car components, causing fuel leakage; 2. Aging or damage to the fuel lines, leading to gasoline leakage and evaporation inside the car; 3. Overfilling the fuel tank. Methods to remove the gasoline smell in the car: 1. Close the windows and turn on the air conditioning in cooling mode, using the recirculation setting; 2. Place activated charcoal bags or scented bags inside the car to absorb the gasoline odor; 3. Use lemon or grapefruit peels inside the car to absorb the smell; 4. Place a container with water and a little vinegar in a suitable position inside the car.
I've been driving for over a decade and have encountered the smell of gasoline in the car several times, which is usually a sign of a fuel leak. The most common cause is a loose fuel tank cap—forgetting to tighten it properly after refueling can make the gasoline smell in the air particularly strong. Another possibility is aged or loose fuel lines, especially noticeable after the car has been running for a while and heated up; if you see oil stains under the engine compartment, that’s likely the source. Sometimes, the issue lies with the charcoal canister, where the system responsible for absorbing fuel vapors fails, allowing the smell to seep in. I remember the last time I smelled it, I immediately pulled over, turned off the engine to avoid fire hazards, and used my phone's flashlight to check the undercarriage and fuel lines. Although no obvious leaks were found, I still took it to the repair shop for a thorough inspection, and they fixed it by replacing a seal. Safe driving is crucial—delaying repairs can lead to serious risks, such as fire hazards.
