I just got my RX yesterday, has 59k miles, got it for 12.5k, and at that price, i knew it wasnt gonna be in perfect condition. But there is only really one thing that needs attention...I think.

When Im modulating the throttle, I get a gas fume smell in the car, like its running real real rich. The car is bone stock, except for a turbo timer the previous owner installed. Any ideas? Thanks

 

Check this thread for some info and troubleshooting tips:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=113638

 

Thanks man, It sounds like its my charcoal canister as well. Is it dangerous having it smell like that? Because I cant replace it for at least a week...

 

If it's just the charcol cannister (or an exhaust leak), it's only fumes and not really too dangerous. If it's one of the other problems (leaking injector, fuel line, or fuel pulsation damper) then those are dangerous as those problems have fuel leaking near hot engine components.

 

Yeah, apon retrospect, I realized that I only notice it at idle, and according to that thread, then its most likely the charcoal canister, Ill check it out more closely though.

 

Check out the fuel lines. I had a stock 93 that would occasionally have a fuel smell. I ended up with an engine fire that totalled the car. Get it checked!

 

Yes, please do not assume its only the charcoal canister. Assume its the Fuel Pulsation Dampener or leaking fuel lines so that you don't risk going up in flames and potentially injuring yourself at the same time.

Read the newbie stickies and do some research here by searching on "fuel smell" in the 3rd gen section to better understand why this shouldn't be taken lightly.

Also, buy a good fire extinguisher and keep it in the car just in case. You can search on that topic as well if you like.

 

Just to throw in another comment hehehe....

If it's the charcoal canister, not a huge problem... If it is coming from under the hood, make SURE you don't have a _ANY_ leaking fuel in there! Even a LITTLE BIT CAN BURN YOUR WHOLE CAR. It will ignite easily and burn the whole car. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and know where to aim it... at the base of the fire which would likely start under the metal intake manifold. Those small extinguishers don't last long, but they are big enough to save the day if you aim right and make the most of them.

One other thing to check which is not too likely, but could be it... is the seal for the fuel pump. If you liff up the carpet mat in the trunk, you will see a silver cover on the left... that provides access to the fuel pump and I think there is a seal there to help keep fumes out.

Wouldn't take more than 5 min to check that out too.

 

Ok, I drove the car a little before I posted this question, then about an hour after I drove it, and read some of your responses, and did some research, I went back out and did a cursory walk around the car. The smell is strongest, from outside the car, at the driver side behind the door.

I am fairly certain that it is the charcoal canister...but due to the nature of this, I will check all possibilities. Id hate to lose the car to a fire the day after I bought it.

And thanks for all your responses.... Its refreshing posting on an automotive forum, and getting good answers back within an hour, and I really appreciate it.

 

F0RSAKEN,

Another quick/cheap fix has been the gas cap (for fuel smells outside the car on the driver's side). Yep, old/bad gas caps have been known to cause a "gas smell". Might be worth checking out.

 

mines a 94 bone- stock, hks blowoff valve and turbo timer(bought like that).i smell gas when i pull into the garage.i went out and bought an O2 sensor- i think its probably full a soot.(87,000 miles)ill post back if that takes some of the smell out- it may be your problem too,they can clog after 30,000 miles ive read

 

Reviving a 3 day old thread...

My opinion on the problem was just revised. Its something under the engine itself, noticed a small puddle under there. Not sure exactly where its leaking from, but whats the most likley culprit? The dampener or leaky fuel lines? Also, wheres a good place to get the shop manual in the pdf format? I gotta head to work in a minute, and if no one replies about that one by the time i get back, ill just do a search, thats cool.


EDIT: Just went out after driving the car, and letting it sit for half an hour...no puddle yet and no gas smell at all.