petrol smell with ac on????

[Macka21]

hey guys just started to notice this last night when i have my ac on recirculate im getting a petrol smell in the cabin but when i change it to fresh air coming in theres no smell :/

is there any suggestions??

[andyman]

check the fuel cap is correctly sealing

[Macka21]

how do u check that? and would this cause it to smell

[Zeussy]

yeah, ive heard either the fuel cap, it can look alright, but not seal properly, or i think theres something in the engine bay, oil catch can, or charcoal canister if there is one,
a mate was telling me, but usually its the fuel cap.. in my experience it was the fuel cap -replaced it smell gooone..

[Macka21]

so u reckon try a new fuel cap

[Macka21]

i changed the fuel cap and so far no smell cheers guys

[andyman]

i changed the fuel cap and so far no smell cheers guys

just a hint for next time, apparently squeezing the cap while tightening it up until it clicks can make them seal better

[josh.meaden]

would the fuel cap only have an effect on the air con? because in the last week ive noticed a petrol smell aswell. but not nessacarily when air con is on. sometimes just with windows open. could it have something to do with the 43 degree heat?

[Phreddy]

Hey Fellas.

My eldest son has just bought a SV6 (yeh, I know this is the VY forum...), but he's getting the same kind of symptom, especially when the fuel load is high. As the tank empties the problem reduces significantly.

I was thinking of swapping his fuel cap for mine, as I've never experienced the problem with my car, has anyone heard of a case where the canister HAS needed replacement? Oh, another point to note - the second time he filled up it was overfilled slightly - can this cause some raw fuel to be forced into the canister possibly? I would imagine this wouldn't do it the world of good, seeing as it's designed to only cope with fumes...

[Zeussy]

Heyy Phreddy,

So far I haven't heard of anyone acually changing the canister, at the council - we used to get quite a few complaints of the fuel smell, usually on hot days, (probly because the A/C was on) but all we ever did was replace the fuel cap.. and didnt have any come back complaining after that,

And im thinking that with too much fuel in there - it quite possible could get some fuel into it, but 'maybe' that might evaporate after a while?

Try swapping the fuel cap with yours, and see if the problem follows the cap, that way you can eliminate one thing at a time, and like andyman said, squeeze the cap / push down on it at the same time - just to get it that little bit tighter to help seal,

Goodluck with that.. and hope to see you soon!!
Take it easy man,

[Andy Panda]

was it a hot day? i dont use my ac much, but i had mine blasting the other day in the sweltering heat and i could smell petrol.. but when it cooled down a bit the smell kinda went away. i gave my dad a call coz i was kinda concerned n he seemed to think it coud have been the heat, my petrol cap was fine too.. just a thought anyway

[Zeussy]

was it a hot day? i dont use my ac much, but i had mine blasting the other day in the sweltering heat and i could smell petrol.. but when it cooled down a bit the smell kinda went away. i gave my dad a call coz i was kinda concerned n he seemed to think it coud have been the heat, my petrol cap was fine too.. just a thought anyway

'Was it a hot day' when?? today? fairly warm i thought lol,

How do you know your petrol cap is ok? just from looking at it?? Try swapping it with another commo, if your mates / family have one too..

They can look fine - 100% the same as a brand new one..

But most times if you smell petrol, its the cap not sealing, or something internal in the cap itself... (not sure whats inside them) or it could be the breather/canister not doing its job properly..

[Joey_21]

yeh i notice smelling fuel in my cabin the last 3 times ives filled up it smelt then didnt now it smells again so must be my cap

[Andy Panda]

it was 43 degrees i think.. n i've never ever smelt petrol out of my car except for that 1 day. just thought it was a bit of a coincidence thats all..

[senlim]

hey guys just started to notice this last night when i have my ac on recirculate im getting a petrol smell in the cabin but when i change it to fresh air coming in theres no smell :/

is there any suggestions??

Have had this problem for some time. It only occurs on hot days while towing a caravan and the temp gauge just goes above normal.

I have changed the carbon canister (mounted between the tank and the diff in the VY Acclaim wagon) and the fuel tank cap, no improvement.

It only happens with the AC on recirculate. On fresh air in it has enough pressure in the cabin to keep the smell out.

Fuel level in the tank makes no difference, it occurs any time it is very hot and the engine is working hard, ie an gentle climb when towing caravan.

Also I have never heard the tank de-pressurise when removing the cap to refuel as I have on most other vehicles, Does anyone else with a VY her a hiss on removing the tank cap?

regards

Senlim

[Phreddy]

First and simplest - replace your fuel cap. I've never experienced it myself, but my son also has a SV6 and had this problem - we discussed possibilities such as charcoal canisters and so on, but a bloke "in the know" told me to just try a new fuel cap first. Bingo!!

Problem gone - too easy.

It's definitely worth trying. If it doesn't help you haven't wasted a lot of bread, if it does then

Cheerz!

[Phreddy]

(oops - same thread!! )

[Benboy]

1. Check that the fuel tank cap is on TIGHT (I mean tight) aas that can often cause fumes to enter into the cavity betyween body and trim which can be drawn into car.

2. If you overfill (i.e. beyond 2nd or 3rd click of auto shot off fuel nozzle) and don't drive 50 - 60 k's and it is a hot day, the fuel in the tank will/may expand and can be forced forward into the charcoal cannister. I have seen fuel literally pouring out of the cannister under such circumstances.

[VYMAD]

Have had this problem for some time. It only occurs on hot days while towing a caravan and the temp gauge just goes above normal.

I have changed the carbon canister (mounted between the tank and the diff in the VY Acclaim wagon) and the fuel tank cap, no improvement.

It only happens with the AC on recirculate. On fresh air in it has enough pressure in the cabin to keep the smell out.

Fuel level in the tank makes no difference, it occurs any time it is very hot and the engine is working hard, ie an gentle climb when towing caravan.

Also I have never heard the tank de-pressurise when removing the cap to refuel as I have on most other vehicles, Does anyone else with a VY her a hiss on removing the tank cap?

regards

Senlim

Never heard a hissing sound when undoing my cap. never had fuel smell either.

[Zeussy]

If ive driven a long way, usually hot day, but not always, sometimes its on a cold day- early morning, i hear the 'hissing' sound, just the tank comming upto atmosphere pressure..

senlim, do you have a fuel leak? the fuel lines to the filter sealing properly? cracked tank, filler neck cracked where it joins the tank? I nearly always hear that sound??!

Hope you get it sorted - the petrol smell gives me a headache after a while aye,

[boofis]

Yeah, I have the same thing with my VZ. I've still got a few months warranty left on my VZ (and I'm thinking of extending it), so I'll get them to do that soon.

[senlim]

If ive driven a long way, usually hot day, but not always, sometimes its on a cold day- early morning, i hear the 'hissing' sound, just the tank comming upto atmosphere pressure..

senlim, do you have a fuel leak? the fuel lines to the filter sealing properly? cracked tank, filler neck cracked where it joins the tank? I nearly always hear that sound??!

Hope you get it sorted - the petrol smell gives me a headache after a while aye,

Thanks for all the replies.

I have made some changes the main change being to change the caravan lights and 12 volt 100 amp cables from being passed under the rear door of the wagon to passing through the body using grommets and lots of silastic to seal the holes made. All cables are in a conduit and neatly fastened up under plastic rear bumper with the 12 pin trailer plug and Anderson plug on a bracket down near the hitch receiver.

I now tighten the new fuel tank cap by gripping the side and getting an extra bit of a turn on the cap. I did note the seal area on the filler neck is a bit rough, probably from being hit with filler nozzle a few times.

Just done 800 + ks with c\van in tow and no smell.

Thanks all

senlim