subeerex Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 I did a bit of search here but didn't find anything on this subject. Has any of you experience this "raw-gas smell" coming from the area between the turbo and air-intake set ups on the WRX? I've been at NASIOC and it seems that this is a serious problem with our cars and Subaru of America won't call it a "recall":mad: . I was just wondering if any of you have the similar problems and what have you done about it or what info may you provide (that hasn't been mentioned yet). The smell is very obvious, specially in cold weather but I'm out in Southern California and the weather doesn't get too bad out. I still developed this leak/smell and I experience it at all times (driving, parked, cold, hot, etc.) and my concern is that gas fumes or leaks, if not treated, may contribute to a fire hazard/accident (not to mention the frustrading and annoying smell!):-\ . My car is well passed and beyond the warranty coverage and so are many that have experienced this problem. I cannot afford the repair cost and I, as everyone else, think that this should be treated as a recall by Subaru. When taken to the dealership, many have been hit with a $600.00 (more or less) charge/estimate for the repair/fix! Subaru of America even issued a "quick-fix/suggestion" to replace a faulty fuel line and a hose that attaches to this...but not a formal recall!!! . In case you haven't heard or experience this problem, just wanted to make you aware and if you have some info, please share it. Any tips on how to fix it are better than paying $600.00 bucks! Thanx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subeerex Posted December 21, 2006 Author Share Posted December 21, 2006 STILL SMELLS LIKE GAS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniberp Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 STILL SMELLS LIKE GAS!!! Maybe it's from the evaporative canister, that purges excess gas vapor from the tank into the intake. Most cars have some setup liek that. I dunno if it connects there on the turbo, but usually it's between the intake and head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodsWagon Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 If they won't put out a discounted repair on the 2.5l headgaskets other than a bottle of stop leak, they aint gonna do anything about a gas smell on a few turbo engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidedown Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Might not be your problem, but on my Outback had the same smell. Finally found it was coming from the fuel line connection on the engine side of the fuel filter. Would have fuel smell at startup, but could never find any signs of a leak. Looks like the subaru clamp wasnt working right and was allowing a little fuel to seep when the fuel pump primed at startup. Never could see it after driving because air flow probably dried it. New worm gear type hose clamps solved the smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Usually its the evap system malfuntioning. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wirelessenabled Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Had gas smell on my 00 OBW. Finally found it was a tiny intermittent leak in the rubber hose going to the passenger side front cylinder. Hidden way under the intake. With a bright light was able to see a small "clean" spot. New hose and clamps, smell gone:banana: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankosolder2 Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 [My car is well passed and beyond the warranty coverage and so are many that have experienced this problem. I cannot afford the repair cost and I, as everyone else, think that this should be treated as a recall by Subaru. When taken to the dealership, many have been hit with a $600.00 (more or less) charge/estimate for the repair/fix! Subaru of America even issued a "quick-fix/suggestion" to replace a faulty fuel line and a hose that attaches to this...but not a formal recall!!! . In case you haven't heard or experience this problem, just wanted to make you aware and if you have some info, please share it. Any tips on how to fix it are better than paying $600.00 bucks! Thanx. I would be curious to know what parts are being changed for $600. That sounds steep for anything related to fuel lines. If indeed the car is leaking fuel, or fuel vapor, that probably technically violates the EPA regs regarding HC & evaporative emissions...the emissions warranty (mandated by the EPA) on the car is typically much longer than the standard manufacturer's warranty. Perhaps you should file a complaint with the EPA, or suggest to Subaru that this issue is a violation of EPA regs? Anyway, isn't $600 about one months insurance payment on a WRX? Hope you get it sorted out, Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 [My car is well passed and beyond the warranty coverage and so are many that have experienced this problem. I cannot afford the repair cost and I, as everyone else, think that this should be treated as a recall by Subaru. When taken to the dealership, many have been hit with a $600.00 (more or less) charge/estimate for the repair/fix! Subaru of America even issued a "quick-fix/suggestion" to replace a faulty fuel line and a hose that attaches to this...but not a formal recall!!! . In case you haven't heard or experience this problem, just wanted to make you aware and if you have some info, please share it. Any tips on how to fix it are better than paying $600.00 bucks! Thanx. I would be curious to know what parts are being changed for $600. That sounds steep for anything related to fuel lines. If indeed the car is leaking fuel, or fuel vapor, that probably technically violates the EPA regs regarding HC & evaporative emissions...the emissions warranty (mandated by the EPA) on the car is typically much longer than the standard manufacturer's warranty. Perhaps you should file a complaint with the EPA, or suggest to Subaru that this issue is a violation of EPA regs? Anyway, isn't $600 about one months insurance payment on a WRX? Hope you get it sorted out, Nathan A fuel leak smell is considered a danger. Go to the NHTSA website and file a complaint there. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subeerex Posted January 10, 2007 Author Share Posted January 10, 2007 A fuel leak smell is considered a danger. Go to the NHTSA website and file a complaint there. nipper ----------------- Filed many complaints and no results or comments from Subaru:rolleyes: . The NHTSA never answered my two letters and I read somewhere that Subaru knows about this leakeage but somehow got away with it because no one's dying from it...YET:eek: !!! I've been working with this problem with the help and suggestions from members of different forums. The problem seems to be almost the same in all cases with some variations. I found two faulty gas lines that have been mentioned before and also the clamps to these needed replacing/tightening. In addition to this, I also discovered that the "fuel-pressure regulator" was defective (at least in my '02 WRX) and needed replacing. Many, if not all, hoses needed replacing in this area (passenger side...engine-bay, next to turbo and intake manifold). I don't or should I say...can't find the smell any longer after my repairs:clap: . I think I got it cause like I mentioned, the faulty parts were more than obvious. No one seems to get any help from Subaru so my suggestion is: tighten all hoses and replace worn out ones: check that fuel-pressure regulator/clamps and OH!...I found out that my PCV was also :clugged"! Since then, I have added some filters to PCV hoses and the intake return lines...NO PROBLEMS NOW:clap: !!! I clamped every hose I can think of and even re-routed some of them, away from the engine hottest areas. Roughly speaking, I might've spent about $120.00 (more or less) in my repairs but it beats the $600.00 PLUS! that the dealer or shop would've charged!!! I'm still sending letters of complaints in every direction but no luck. I hope Subaru, eventually does something about this matter:mad:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subeerex Posted January 11, 2007 Author Share Posted January 11, 2007 ... I would be curious to know what parts are being changed for $600.--------------- There's a TSB floating around somewhere in NASIOC and it points at those faulty lines and hoses. The parts mentioned are: (1) Part number------#17544AA134 = Pipe complete (kit)...30mm shorter than Old one. (2) Part number #807707140=Hose (30mm longer than Old one). The faulty "fuel pressure regulator" is part number #22670AA252 =REGULATORY AY. The rest, I think the dealers make it up as they go or throw in the rediculous "labor" charges:rolleyes: ! Funny that they would do all these repairs but not accept the problem as a "recall"!...Hhhhhmmm!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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