Why is there a gasoline smell inside the car?
3 Answers
There are several reasons for a gasoline smell inside the car: 1. Aging rubber pipes in the gasoline purification carbon canister. In older vehicles, rubber components in the engine compartment are prone to aging and leakage into the engine bay, requiring timely replacement of the rubber pipes; 2. Leakage at the gasoline pipe interface. The gasoline smell enters the car through the air conditioning system. This can be identified by opening the engine hood and observing a layer of oily residue on the surface, which requires tightening or repair; 3. Poor sealing after disassembling the gasoline pump. This can be caused by replacing the gasoline pump or failing to clean residual substances after disassembly; 4. Overfilling the fuel tank. If gasoline enters the pipes of the activated carbon canister system, it can cause the car to stall after refueling and eventually fail to start.
Yesterday while driving to work, I suddenly smelled a strong gasoline odor in the car, which scared me so much that I immediately pulled over. After carefully inspecting under the hood, I didn't find any obvious signs of oil leakage, but it might have been caused by a loose fuel cap or tiny cracks in the fuel tank allowing gasoline to evaporate. This issue becomes more noticeable in hot weather, potentially increasing harmful gas concentrations inside the vehicle. Long-term exposure isn't good for health and may even pose a fire hazard. I strongly recommend that if you smell gasoline, immediately check whether the fuel cap is secure. After parking, sniff around the engine or undercarriage for wet spots and visit a repair shop as soon as possible for a thorough inspection—especially for older vehicles that have been on the road for several years. Always ensure the fuel cap is properly tightened after refueling, and regularly inspect the chassis to prevent potential safety hazards. Don't wait until you're in a panic like I was.
Once when I took the kids out for a trip, there was a strong smell of gasoline in the car, and the kids complained of dizziness, which really worried me. I immediately pulled over to check: the fuel cap was tightly screwed on with no signs of loosening, but the gasoline smell persisted. It was likely due to the carbon canister failing to absorb the vapors or aging fuel tank lines leaking a bit. Gasoline is highly volatile, and prolonged inhalation can affect the health of both adults and children, so I promptly took the car in for repairs. If you encounter a similar situation during daily driving, don’t delay—ventilate the car immediately and check the area under the rear seats for any fuel tank issues. Developing good habits, such as regularly cleaning the cabin and ensuring the fuel cap is sealed properly after refueling, can prevent many problems and ensure a safe driving experience for the whole family.
