A class stinks of petrol

[maldon]

Wifes S reg A160 very often absolutely reeks of petrol - usually on starting - but goes away after a while.

She reckons it has got worse recently so she took it into the stealership, they said don't drive it - it smells 'dangerous'.

They had the car all day yesterday - they want to do a cold start this morning - as so far, they have not got a clue....

Ideas anyone?

BTW - am I right in thinking thay can forget any form of payment if they cannot fathom it out?

 

[jonathanjhann]

best thing to do is check under the bonnet, there is a main fuel feed at the back of the engine which weeps . Get a new hose and clamps if so.

 

[TimN]

Probably got something to do with the fuel tank breather. Also check the condition of the rubber seal on the filler cap. I didn't screw my cap on correctly and it stank.

 

[dgc]

Fuel leaks

Check down the back of the engine where you can see the stainless fuel rail and it's feed line, but usually the leaks come from one or more of the joints onto the fuel filter which is underneath just in front of the driver side rear wheel, if you can get the car up high enough you can drop the plastic panel that covers the alternator and it's drive belt and then the middle panel which after removing the retaining screws hinges down after moving it foreward 25mm. The smell seems to flow up thro' the interspace between the floor and the plastic panels under the car. I put sections of railway sleeper under each wheel to get the minimum height so I can change the filter, belt etc.