I need some input. I have read every thread I could find on this but have some questions. I am not getting any codes.

This morning it was very strong when I started the car (20 degrees here but I don't think that has anything to do with it). I got out and sniffed around the vapor canistor in the back, nothing. Went up front to the cowl area, very strong. (Hood was frozen shut so i could not open it - ice storm here last night).

My exhaust is new, had lots of holes, new Y-pipe, cat, b pipe, no leaks now. I thought that was it, but no change. I checked for obvious fuel leaks front to back nothing. Getting 25-26 MPG so I am not loosing fuel, it has to be vapor. Runs great, cleaned the TB and IAC a while back. Checked that for any vacuum leaks, nothing.

If the vapor system, valve, etc. in the back is clogged/plugged, what ever, would the vapor escape at the engine?

Could this be an EGR issue? I cleaned out the EGR pipe last year when I changed out the injectors and the knock sensor. (It did not start until well after that).

Before I go changing ever hose under the hood, is there a likely culprit?

I don't notice the vapor smell when at speed. Usually stronger when the engine is cold, or when in stop and go traffic.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to get as much info out there as I could.

Thanks!

 

Anyone? I am sucking fumes here!

 

check the fuel filter and hoses connecting it. that is right by your firewall and would be the most noticeable when you are standing at your drivers side door.

its unlikely its your charcoal cannister or that valve. those are just to release pressure (i think) from the fuel system. and yea, youre right, those wouldnt cause it to smell in the cabin, or up front.

 

The engine runs rich when cold in order to warm up faster. Do you smell it even after the car has reached operating temp? Did you replace the o-rings when you changed injectors?

 

It does run rich, but not to warm up faster.

Do you think he'd be having problems with the injector o-rings after a year? I've always assumed that would be one of those problems you'd be clued into quickly.

 

I honestly don't think it is the O rings. Wouldn't I see a leak due to the pressure?

It happens when warmed up and in warmer temperatures as well.

It has to be something that is under pressure, IMHO.

 

Misinterpretation
Re-phrased:

High idle upon startup = to heat up the pre-cats in a timely manner in order to reduce emissions, sheesh.

When I did my injectors last summer, I didn't replace the o-rings. As of right now, I can smell raw fuel when under the hood (vehicle off).

I'm not 100% sure what smell he is referring to, raw fuel, 'rich' combustion due to aforementioned situation when cold with cat I might add. The reason I mention the cat, is because my car has no cats and smells different than a car with a cat does (during start-up 'rich' cycle).

 

Running rich at startup goes back to before modern emission-reducing equipment. Chokes, anyone?

 

Not just at startup, when warm as well. Did it before I remove the stock Y pipe, and after. Not raw fuel, vapor.

 

only one way to find out if its o-rings, take out the plenum and check em all. if any of them are wet, you know what it is. i have a smell going on right now too, but i think its my o-rings cause it does go away when warmed up and when the temp goes above 40 degrees.

 

drive a Mule @ work sometimes FTW But this is a Maxima forum so.

 

I had the same problem this week, looked at the fuel filter located on the firewall and the hose going into/out of the top of it was rotting and crumbling. VERY DANGEROUS> Bought a foot and a half of hose and all better, check the hoses first, thats easy, also the connections is where the hoses usually dryrot.

 

After a month of more of looking for a fuel leak, sniffing every hose on the car I found it! On one very cold morning, the smell was really bad. Popped the hood, looked around and the high pressure hose between the front and rear fuel rail was visibly wet. It was not squirting fuel, but was wet. pulled around on it and it squirted.

The clamp was loose, or in a bind or something. I loosened it up, rotated it and moved it down the hose a little, tightenend it up, and no more smell!

 

yep, my car smells of gas after doing 1 of my injectors over a year ago. its gotta be the o-rings, i fixed everything else.

 

check the fuel filter bro.disconnect it.check hosing and also try to blow through the filter itself.