Why is there a gasoline smell outside the car after parking?
3 Answers
After parking, the smell of gasoline outside the car could be due to engine oil leakage, spark plug oil leakage, or fuel injector leakage. Unusual odors inside the car can be identified through the following: Strong gasoline smell: Mostly caused by fuel system leaks. Musty smell: Bacterial growth in the evaporator and air ducts due to prolonged lack of cleaning in the air conditioning system, requiring cleaning. Burnt rubber smell: Possibly caused by frequent emergency braking leading to overheated tires. Resin-like burnt smell: Caused by prolonged friction of brake pads, possibly due to an engaged handbrake, incomplete separation of friction pads and brake discs, or long-distance braking causing overheating. Pungent foul smell: Dirty or poor-quality engine oil, clogged air filters, or broken cylinder piston rings, or possibly exhaust emissions. Burnt plastic smell: Mostly caused by short circuits in the electrical system burning the wire insulation.
I've been driving for over a decade and encountered several instances where I smelled gasoline after parking. The most common cause was a loose fuel tank cap, especially after refueling when I forgot to tighten it properly, allowing gasoline vapors to escape. Another time, during an inspection, I discovered a small crack in the fuel line—when the temperature dropped after parking, gasoline would slowly seep out from the crack and evaporate. There was also a time when the carbon canister was clogged; this device, which is supposed to absorb gasoline vapors, failed, causing the smell to emanate from near the fuel tank. In such situations, it's crucial to inspect immediately: first, try tightening the fuel tank cap again and check for any oil stains on the ground. If you can't handle it yourself, head to a repair shop right away—after all, gasoline is highly flammable, and there's no room for carelessness.
Don't ignore the smell of gasoline after parking. I experienced this before - it turned out to be aging seal rings on fuel pipe connections, allowing gasoline to seep out when parked, creating strong fumes. This is extremely dangerous as even a tiny spark could cause ignition. When you notice the smell, don't immediately restart the engine; instead, pop the hood to check for visible fuel stains (never use a lighter for illumination). A loose fuel cap is another common cause, so try tightening it. Note that gasoline evaporates faster in summer heat, making the odor more noticeable. If the smell persists for several days, you must visit a repair shop for thorough inspection of the fuel system - safety comes first.
