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Gas smell

Tiny
LOUVRES
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 DODGE CHARGER
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
So I smelled gas in my car a while ago, someone told me it may be air in the gas tank so next time I go to fill it up I need to do it slow. I did that and the problem was fixed. So the next time I went to fill it up which was a couple days ago, I did it slow again and the smell is back and it's not going away. I don't know what the problem is.
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Saturday, September 25th, 2021 AT 8:44 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

There are several places that the smell can come from. Can you tell an approximate area on the vehicle where the smell seems strongest or where it seems to come from? For example, it could be from the fuel tank, under the center of the vehicle where the fuel lines run, under the hood, and so on.

Also, there is a recall on the evaporative emission system (EVAP) charcoal canister. If I had to guess, I have a feeling that is where the problem is located. The canister is located behind the passenger side rear inner fender liner. See if the smell is stronger in that area.

I attached the recall and directions for repair. Take a look through it. If you haven't had this recall completed, have it done.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions. Also, let me know what size engine this has. Is it the 3.6L or the 5.7L?

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Saturday, September 25th, 2021 AT 9:36 PM
Tiny
LOUVRES
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It's the 3.6L, I didn't know about the recall thank you so much! I will get that looked into and then get back to you.

I'll check that area for the smell when I go back to my car later today, hopefully this is the issue since I wouldn't have to pay to get it fixed (I certainly can't do it myself, haha).

Another one of my guesses early on was the cabin air filter because I haven't changed it since I got the car around 2 ish years ago but now I'm kind of doubting that theory.

Went on Mopar's website and it says that that recall has already been completed in 2019.
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Sunday, September 26th, 2021 AT 7:36 AM
Tiny
LOUVRES
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Just went out to my car. No smell outside, only very strong once I go inside.
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Sunday, September 26th, 2021 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Do you only smell it in the car? If that's the case, it could be coming in from the engine compartment. Is there any smell under the hood?

Joe
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Sunday, September 26th, 2021 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
LOUVRES
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I also checked under the hood and couldn't smell anything. It's weird. It's also weird that it happens so randomly just after getting gas when it was completely fine the first time I filled it up slow.
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Sunday, September 26th, 2021 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
If it is happening when you fill the tank, I feel somewhat confident it is related to the evap system. The next time you notice the smell, see if it is coming from the fender area I mentioned. Since the smell gets into the vehicle, see if it is coming through the vents which would indicate it's under the hood. You just may not notice it when you open the hood.

Other issues with the evap system such as a leak, should turn on the check engine light. If that has happened, retrieve the codes and let me know what they are.

If there is an evap leak, I attached the diagnostics below for smoke testing the system.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe

See pics below.
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Sunday, September 26th, 2021 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
LOUVRES
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay, I went and smelled in that area where the charcoal canister or something is (the back passenger fender area) and I couldn't smell it. I can't smell it outside the car at all, only inside. It doesn't seem to be coming from the A/C vents it's just there. I have never had my air filter changed so I went out and bought a new one and just replaced it so maybe that was the problem?
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Monday, September 27th, 2021 AT 9:13 AM
Tiny
LOUVRES
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Seems to be stronger while idling.
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Monday, September 27th, 2021 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
LOUVRES
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Though it's not as strong as it was before the air filter replacement, I'll check again tomorrow morning after it's been sitting for a while.
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Monday, September 27th, 2021 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Sounds like a plan. Let me know what you find.

Also, I want you to check one other thing, the canister purge solenoid. It's located under the hood. I realize you don't notice the odor outside of the vehicle, but because of the physical location of this component, it could be coming straight into the vehicle.

It is mounted high on the firewall under the hood. Take a look at the pic. Check the vacuum hoses I highlighted. Make sure they are properly attached and there is no evidence of damage to either of them.

Let me know.

Joe

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Monday, September 27th, 2021 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
LOUVRES
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Sorry I haven't gotten around to checking that. However, I don't smell the gas anymore ever since the day after putting the new air filter in, maybe that was the problem all along! The old one did look really gross, so I wouldn't doubt it.
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Thursday, September 30th, 2021 AT 7:41 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

That's good to hear. If the filter was really plugged, it would have caused the air/fuel mixture to be rich (too much gas/not enough air). It may have been running rich enough that you were smelling something.

Regardless, I'm glad the problem is gone. If, however, it returns, let me know and we'll try again.

Take care of yourself and please feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Joe
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Thursday, September 30th, 2021 AT 6:16 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:
That's good to hear. If the filter was really plugged, it would have caused the air/fuel mixture to be rich (too much gas/not enough air). It may have been running rich enough that you were smelling something.

Regardless, I'm glad the problem is gone. If, however, it returns, let me know and we'll try again.

Take care of yourself and please feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Joe
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Thursday, September 30th, 2021 AT 6:16 PM

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