My 96 OBW with a 2.2 in it has a gas smell on the right side of the engine when I start it. There are no Leaks and it goes away after its warm. Any Ideas.:-\

Is it a burned gas/exhaust smell, or is it like fresh out of the pump straight up raw gasoline?

Is it a burned gas/exhaust smell, or is it like fresh out of the pump straight up raw gasoline?

Raw

Check your plugs, make sure they are tight.

also the look real close the fuel lines maybe leaking (at the fuel rails) the car is getting 15years old and the rubber lines get hard when cold and soft when they heat up. wrxs are real bad for this or where when they first came out..

Yep that's what my WRX does when it starts getting cold out, the temp drops the lines harden and seep fuel, that's when I know it's time to get the winter beater out!

in addition to checking the lines carefully, check the filler neck assembly.

My 96 OBW with a 2.2 in it has a gas smell on the right side of the engine when I start it. There are no Leaks and it goes away after its warm. Any Ideas.:-\

 

I am experiencing the same from the hosing towards the fuel injector in my 01 Outback. I tightened the clamps and that worked temporarily. Upon analysis from my mechanic they could not find anything. The condition started when I filled the gas tank to the brim You could try releving the gas cap. I read about vapor trap as a possible cause. I checked the air filter and that area had no residual effects. No obvious gas spill markings were observed in the engine compartment. Right now I am using Gumout fuel injector cleaner. If this problem continues I plan to contact Subaru direct If one of their people reads this we both would appreciate a solution. Gas smell and or leakage is big time worry. Their US corporate facility is located in Cherry Hill, NJ. If you have some luck pass it on

Philo from NJ FYI If you ever have a major head gasket problem Subaru owes up for that and will compensate when you submit your records and contact their excellent staff. Subaru brake systems do suck

I figured it out. There is no charcoal canister on the car the lines that are suppose to goto it are looped and not clamped and loose. So a trip to the Upull and a canister will solve the smell I hope. Would that make the car get bad gas mileage?

I'm not 100% sure, on the OBW but the evap canister was in the back on the 96. Maybe the OB is different. Mine is under the right rear quarter. (96 L Sedan)

 

No evap canister could cause some issues though. If it's missing you basically get a big vacuum leak there when the evap purge valve opens. And if the lines are loose/split/broken, same problem. It's a vacuum leak.