96 Legacy manual trans. 2 blocks from home, as I pulled away from a stop light, the inside of the car was flooded with a smell of gasoline that was so strong it made me feel kind of sick. When I got home and opened the car door another wave of gasoline fumes rolled into the car. I can't figure out where the smell is coming from, but it's pretty strong if you stand downwind of the car (it's parked). I looked underneath with my flashlight and couldn't see any drips falling.

 

Obviously I'm calling the mechanic in the morning, but do y'all have any ideas? Is the car gonna explode?

 

I just had fuel filter, plugs, timing belt, and seals replaced in the last month. Could something have gone wrong there? Oh, yeah, the tank reads 1/4 full and I've been using gasline antifreeze with every fill up. We've been in the below zeroes for the last week and today was above freezing for a while.

 

Oh, my poor Twobaru!

As you know, this is something you should have corrected immediately. It could have any number of causes, but since you say you recently had the fuel filter replaced I'd take a careful look at that.

 

It's a small cylindrical thing located on the driver's side of the engine bay. The OEM ones are shiny white metal. Some aftermarket ones are painted black. Check it over carefully for any signs of leakage. Pay particular attention to the rubber fuel lines going in and out of it. Make sure they are securely clamped and do not have any cracks, etc.

 

If you don't immediately find the cause, I'd have a professional look at it ASAP.

a similar situation has arisen with some wrx's in cold weather, it may or may not be the same problem but it's worth looking into...... here's the info:

 

I checked the fuel filter (good description! thanks, I was able to find it easily!). It was fine. Called the mechanic, he said not to try to drive it in... So, I did the whole AAA flatbed truck thing.

 

NO LEAK! I couldn't believe it! That car stank to high heaven for at least 3 hours last night. (I took the dog out at 11pm, and it still stank)

 

The only guess anyone could come up with is that I drove through a puddle of gas at the stoplight (?).

 

I don't know if the 96 Legacies have a problem like the 02 Imprezas, but I will say that it wasn't the most fun I had all day! (but it was kinda cool seeing my wagon sailing along on the flatbed truck)

You should check the fuel filler pipe under right rear of car. They tend to rot out due to dirt collecting in the plastic shield surrounding the pipe. You don't usually smell this while driving however.

I have a similar fuel smell, and it's because of a fuel injector that has failed. it's like it cracked or something, and the fuel is dripping out onto the valve cover/head....

Check your vacuum hoses around the charcoal canister. It should be right next to the radiator on the pass. side. That canister collects fumes out of the tank, so if a leak were to develop, a strong fuel odor would emanate from it.

Originally posted by subyluvr2212

Check your vacuum hoses around the charcoal canister. It should be right next to the radiator on the pass. side. That canister collects fumes out of the tank, so if a leak were to develop, a strong fuel odor would emanate from it.

 

I think it's in the rear (on the side opposite the muffler) on the Legacy.