Strong smell of fuel after filling up

[Macey]

Noticed the last couple of times that after filling up with fuel I get a strong smell of petrol in the cabin, it seems to disappear after a while. Any ideas why?

[Robertjp]

Could be your carbon cannister is blocked?

[Cockey]

Be a little careful. I used to get this occasionally, then about a year ago I brimmed the tank, parked up, then on my return to the car a few hours later found that the fuel had vented out of the filler cap. Ended up peeling the paint off the rear of the car which wasn't good. Think a loose filler cap was partially to blame too, as if it had it been sealed properly it might have prevented the leakage.

Since then I've only filled the tank 3/4 to be safe, although over the weekend I did fill it more by mistake and I got a strong smell of fuel. On opening the cap, I noticed the bottom of it was very wet meaning the fuel must've tried to vent out again! However, putting the cap back on, the fuel smell went away.

[nawarne]

Robertjp said:

Could be your carbon cannister is blocked?

^^Agree with Robert. However, I believe that if you have a blocked/'full' carbon can, you tend to suffer with power loss/poor running as well.

The other cause for a petrol smell in the cabin is a faulty/sticky roll over valve. This is found behind the B post trim cover (where passenger seat belt emerges) just under the little triangular window - smallish black plastic gizmo with fuel pipe attached to spigots on each end.

I had something similar and just blew through the plastic gizmo - voila, smell gone.
Nick.

[Walford]

Yea mine was pipe from filler neck to tank rotted thru, it was the small one but i replaced both, not easy to see, as they only open up when you re fuel the car

[Macey]

Cheers Guy's

She is booked in for it's 78k service next month so will get it all checked out then, I've never replaced any of the fuel pipes so it may be a good time to get them all replaced whilst it's in.

[robsco]

My Cerbera vented fuel out of the top of the cap too one day after refuelling. The interesting thing was that the excess poured straight down onto the exhausts (excellent!). I believe a blocked carbon canister may have been the culprit, but I'm struggling to recall now...

[Fad Sucker]

Hello, had this problem once, when you fill up and the pump clicks don't be tempted to squeeze that little extra in, this will lead to the petrol evaporating in the small rubber fuel pipe in the boot causing the smell. had to take the car out and give it a good old rag to use the excess fuel in the tank. It worked and was good fun!

[tuscman]

If it's only when you fill right up I would check the screws and seals around the fuel pump. You will find this in the top right of the fuel tank under the removable carpeted panel at the back of the boot.
I beleive there is a main gasket and also individual seals on each hex head screws on the pump.
If the screws are loose or the seals leaking then it will leak fuel only when you fill above the top of the tank level, which you will do if you fill all the way up the filler neck.
The leak would then stop once you have burned a couple of litres of fuel and the level has dropped below the top of the tank.

[nawarne]

tuscman said:

If it's only when you fill right up I would check the screws and seals around the fuel pump. You will find this in the top right of the fuel tank under the removable carpeted panel at the back of the boot.
I beleive there is a main gasket and also individual seals on each hex head screws on the pump.
If the screws are loose or the seals leaking then it will leak fuel only when you fill above the top of the tank level, which you will do if you fill all the way up the filler neck.
The leak would then stop once you have burned a couple of litres of fuel and the level has dropped below the top of the tank.

Just to comment that the electrical 'item' at the top of the RH/drivers side of tank is the fuel gauge sender.

The pump is underneath the car - nearside, behind rear wheel. Pretty obvious if you follow pipe from tank - runs to pump, then fuel filter.

Would also agree that any splash could find its way around the filler neck seal.
Nick