Why does the car smell like gasoline
The persistent smell of gasoline in the cabin for owners of cars produced in the Soviet period is, in general, a familiar phenomenon. However, if you have recently purchased a more or less modern budget or mid-range car, then such smells are a serious cause for concern.
If the cabin smells of gasoline, this may indicate both minor breakdowns and critical ones. What to do if you are faced with such a situation? The editors of Vodi.su decided to deal with the problem and find the best ways to fix it.
There can be quite a few reasons:
- poor tightness of the fuel tank cap;
- leaks in the fuel line;
- clogged coarse or fine fuel filters;
- low engine compression;
- spark plugs are badly twisted, incorrectly selected, soot forms on them.
Let's consider each of the faults separately.
The tightness of the fuel tank hatch is achieved by an elastic gasket or a special valve. Cracks appear on the surface of the gasket over time due to constant vibrations or overheating. The valve can also break easily. The surest decision is to purchase a new cover, since it does not make sense to repair it.
In addition, the tank is also subject to aging, it can rust, which causes leaks. The situation is dangerous in itself, as a small spark may be enough to make you think not about eliminating the smell of fuel, but about buying a new car.
The smell in the cabin will be even stronger if the trim or seal of the rear doors, which are closest to the tank, have become unusable. Accordingly, odors from the street will enter the salon through microscopic cracks and cracks.
Fuel system problems
If you do not change the fuel filters in time, they become clogged. We have already talked on Vodi.su about how to change the fuel filter. This should be done regularly, especially after the autumn-winter period, when you switch from winter fuel to summer fuel.
If the filter is clogged, then the fuel pump has to spend more effort to supply fuel to the engine. Due to the increase in pressure in the system, the fuel lines may not withstand the increased load, cracks appear in them, through which drops of diesel or gasoline seep.
The reasons may be in the fuel pump:
- gasket wear;
- membrane rupture;
- poorly screwed fuel wire fittings.
You can replace the membranes or gaskets yourself, it is enough to purchase a gasoline pump repair kit, which includes all the necessary gaskets, o-rings and oil seals. Of course, at a specialized service station, this work will be done better and with a guarantee, although you will have to pay more.
Regularly it is also necessary to carry out a complete diagnosis of the fuel system, starting with the gas tank and ending with the injection system. For example, fuel line fasteners can become loose, so they should be tightened with special wrenches or metal clamps.
The smell of gasoline from under the hood
You can determine the presence of problems in the engine compartment by a variety of signs:
- increased fuel and engine oil consumption;
- overheat;
- bluish or black smoke from the muffler;
- a significant reduction in power;
- there is soot on the candles.
For example, on carburetor engines, very often, due to incorrect carburetor settings, fuel can simply flow through the gasket. Try to clean the carburetor, and after a short trip you will be able to find leaks.
If on the odometer of your car the mileage exceeds 150-200 thousand kilometers, then, most likely, an overhaul of the engine will be required. You will have to bore the cylinders and install repair pistons and P1 rings. This is necessary to increase the compression level, since due to the loose fit of the pistons to the cylinders, the fuel-air mixture does not burn out to the residue. Because of this, power is reduced.
Malfunction of the porcelain catalyst of an exhaust system or the turbine can also affect. The catalyst acts as a filter, with its help particles of fuel are trapped. If it is completely clogged or defective, then black smoke will come out of the muffler. In the turbine, the vapors from the exhaust manifold are burned for reuse.
In any case, if such signs are found, you should go straight to the service station, where a complete diagnosis of all systems of your car will be performed.
Additional reasons
The smell inside the cabin can also come from the so-called air turbulence that occurs above the surfaces of fast moving cars. Air is drawn into the cabin from the street not only through the air conditioner intake, but also through small cracks in the door seals. Timely check them for tightness and elasticity.
Do not forget also about the cleanliness and order in your car. So, if you have a minivan or hatchback and you often carry fuel and lubricants in cans with you, do not forget to check the condition of the canisters themselves and the tightness of the lid.
How to get rid of the gasoline smell?
On sale you can find various means to remove odors. However, there are folk ways available to everyone:
- soda absorbs the smell of gasoline - just sprinkle problem areas with it for 24 hours, and then rinse;
- vinegar - treat the rugs with it and leave it to be ventilated in the air. You can also rinse the floor and wipe all surfaces, however, after such a procedure, the car needs to be ventilated for a long time;
- ground coffee also absorbs odors - sprinkle problem areas on them, and cover with a rag on top and fix with adhesive tape. Remove after a few days and no more problems should be observed.
In no case do not use sprays and fragrances, because due to the mixing of smells, the situation can only worsen, and this will affect the driver's concentration and the well-being of all passengers in the cabin.
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