Air Filter Smells Like Gas - Is That Normal?
03-15-2002, 04:13 AM
#1
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Air Filter Smells Like Gas - Is That Normal?
I've only had my 91 SE for a couple weeks and decided to check the air filter and change it out. To my amazement, it had some black carbon on it and smelled like gas. I don't recall seeing/smelling this in any other vehicles that I've had. Does anyone knows what this signifies? Is it a sign of a problem with the engine somewhere? -Thanks.
03-15-2002, 06:14 AM
#2
possibly a burned valve or carbon built up on one so the intake valve doesn't seal completely. try a compression test on the engine and see what you come up with. that will tell you the most info.
03-15-2002, 06:25 AM
#3
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Location: Muncie, IN
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Re: Air Filter Smells Like Gas - Is That Normal?
Originally posted by MadDog2020 I've only had my 91 SE for a couple weeks and decided to check the air filter and change it out. To my amazement, it had some black carbon on it and smelled like gas. I don't recall seeing/smelling this in any other vehicles that I've had. Does anyone knows what this signifies? Is it a sign of a problem with the engine somewhere? -Thanks.
The smell of gas, however, is something else entirely. I'd definitely get that checked out.
03-15-2002, 06:32 PM
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 491
Re: Re: Air Filter Smells Like Gas - Is That Normal?
Originally posted by Thorzdad
I remember the air filters in my old '91 always had a large black "burnt spot" on them when I changed them. Is this what you mean by black carbon?
I remember the air filters in my old '91 always had a large black "burnt spot" on them when I changed them. Is this what you mean by black carbon?
03-16-2002, 07:37 AM
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 241
Hang on guys... what side of the filter is this black "carbon" on? If its on the "dirty side" I wouldn't worry about it. Mine has that same kind of mark. All that is is the airfilter doing it's job, it's keeping that crap from getting in your motor. Notice that you have some "grime" on the firewall and other "non engine" surfaces under the hood? I think it's just the garbage in the air getting filtered off before it goes into the motor.
If you have this stuff on the "clean side" of the filter, refer to Matt93SE's post.. he knows a lot more about these motors than I do.
If you have this stuff on the "clean side" of the filter, refer to Matt93SE's post.. he knows a lot more about these motors than I do.
03-17-2002, 11:49 PM
#7
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Thanks for your help guys. I guess I should have added that it appears to be on the pleated or dirty side. I've seen dirty air filters before, just not like this one that has this black dust/dirt on it.
I don't know where the previous owner got gas from before, but I will see what happens when I drive it for a few months on gas that I know to be good. It looks like the previous owner took good care of the car, but who knows how many miles are on this filter.
It seems to run fine, but I might do a quick compression test on it just in case.
I don't know where the previous owner got gas from before, but I will see what happens when I drive it for a few months on gas that I know to be good. It looks like the previous owner took good care of the car, but who knows how many miles are on this filter.
It seems to run fine, but I might do a quick compression test on it just in case.
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