Apologies if this was already asked, I didn't find it using the search function.

 

So I've got this 02 Impreza 2.5 nonturbo, and it's been in the frigid north for about a month after living in Florida for the past 13 years. I noticed when it's cold outside I'm smelling fuel. Above 35 degrees or so and the smell goes away. The car hasn't seen temperatures like that since about 2005 so who knows if it's a new problem. Engine cold or warm, it makes no difference. I'm not seeing any leakage or anything. Any thoughts on where to begin?

Does it smell towards the rear of the car or the front? Gas evaporates quick. Check the base of the injectors where they go into the block and all the associated lines fuel rails gaskets etc while someone turns the key on and off to prime the fuel pump. Usually that will expose a leak.

I had to replace a gas tank recently that was worse when cold too. The cab usually smelled a little like fuel too. WHen I jacked up one side in the rear, I was able to get a visible drop now and then. Get it inside if you can and do a little sniffing. No smoking tho. 

Definitely in the front. Very noticeable odor in the engine bay.

Just keep having someone prime the pump to try and spot it. Worst case follow your nose if you can't spot it. Check by the fuel filter too.

There are a lot of cases where the clamps under the hood need tightening, they seal warm but need to be tighter to seal in the cold.

Might be no drips, just leaking as fast as it can evaporaTE.

^^^ what he said - well known on Imprezas around this model year.

+1 check fuel clamps in engine bay.  tighten them a bit. 

When tightening the clamps, make sure nobody has replaced the original kind that don't have serrations with a worm drive hose clamp.  the worm drive ones can crack the lines if overtightened

Fuel injector o-rings do this in cold weather. We have had multiple complaints on this due to exceptionally low temps in early January.

 

GD

Thanks for the help. I tightened the clamps today and they had a surprising amount of give in them. I also smelled gas when I put my nose right up to the lines. Hopefully that takes care of it, but I guess I'll find out next time it gets cold... we seem to be in an abnormal warm spell for the time being...