What Causes the Smell of Gasoline When Starting the Vehicle?
2 Answers
Vehicle starting with a gasoline smell is caused by: 1. Insufficient air intake in the throttle; 2. Problems with the carbon canister or carbon canister solenoid valve, resulting in an overly rich air-fuel mixture; 3. Excessive carbon buildup inside the engine, leading to poor atomization of the mixture; 4. Leakage in the fuel injector. The solution is to recommend immediate repair at a professional maintenance shop. In winter, the conditions for gasoline atomization are poor, especially for vehicles with carburetors, which are generally difficult to start and cannot immediately transition to normal operation after starting. It is recommended to clean and unclog all oil and air passages during winter maintenance, check the working conditions of the throttle, choke, accelerator pump, and vacuum pump, and adjust them to the optimal state.
I smelled gasoline when starting my car, which is quite common, especially on cold mornings. Since the engine isn't warmed up, the fuel doesn't burn completely, and some gasoline evaporates directly, causing the smell. It should disappear once the engine heats up. If the smell persists or remains after the car is warm, you should be cautious. Possible causes include loose fuel pipe connections leading to leaks, a poorly sealed fuel tank cap causing evaporation, or carbon buildup in the fuel injectors affecting the seal. Once, I experienced this due to a cracked fuel pipe from aging, and replacing the part fixed it. Safety tip: Don't ignore the smell—stop immediately and check the ground for oil stains. Leaving it unrepaired for long increases the risk of spontaneous combustion or environmental pollution. It's recommended to visit a professional auto repair shop to check the fuel system with pressure-testing tools and regularly maintain fuel line components during routine maintenance.
