[David Cook]

I seem to have developed a problem with fumes in the cabin. I have searched other threads but none seem to answer my particular scenario.

When the car is moving -no problems. When I break eg at lights or cornering a strong smell of fuel comes into the cabin.
I notice it worst of all when doing a forward and reverse manouvre ie when shuffling into a parking space.

Any suggestions from those in the know would be appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Is it definately a fuel smell, or is it an oil smell?

 

[Chris 9-5]

If its fuel, dont drive it, get it towed and looked at ASAP!


If its fumes, its most likely the PCV (Breather system) this is the plague of our engines, but has been extensively written about on here including fixes and upgrades, try a search on PCV or Fumes

 

[David Cook]

I think!! its a fuel smell rather than oil. I sometimes notice it first thing in the morning on first opening the door even before starting the engine. Its been happening for about a week now.

It sounds as though it could be serious when you say don't drive it and get it towed.
The MOT is due on Thursday. I will get the mechanics at the garage-not a SAAB specialist though- to have a look. I just wanted a little advice on what to tell them to look at. Thanks for that.

I originally thought it might be exhaust fumes but couldn't detect any difference in engine pitch or see gas escaping. The tail pipe does look a little blacker on the chrome than usual however. The car by the way is a 2001 2.3 SE auto.

 

[Guest]

David, Chris is right you shouldnt really drive a car if it has a potential petrol leak. If the smell is in the car when you open the door, I recon it could be a number of things. Of course the fuel tank itself is under the back seat, actually there is an access point to the fuel pump under the rear seat..You also have the fuel filter under the car. The fuel vapour expansion system is under the car. So who knows bud could be almost anything. Have you noticed any fuel drips on the drive. Have you noticed any petrol loss

 

[David Cook]

Thanks Finn,

I haven't noticed any drips or loss of petrol. Will have another check tomorrow in the light.
Sounds like I need to get this into the garage ASAP. My fear is that because it could be a number of things they won't actually find the problem without lots of searching and the money clocking up!!

 

[Guest]

Lets hope its something really simple like a breather pipe.

I used to work for a chap called David Cook once

 

[J-Tim]

Lets hope its something really simple like a breather pipe.

I've had the same issue about 8 month ago. Ended up being a breather pipe attached to the petrol tank.

Only happened when the tank was full.

 

[alexwalton]

I too had a fuel/oil smell in the car, which was worse on acceleration. I couldn't tell if it was fuel or oil, but it smelled as though the car was running with too rich a mixture.

In the end it was the dipstick which hadn't been replaced properly after checking the oil level - it hadn't been locked into place.

Felt a bit silly (even though I hadn't checked the oil, my dad had), but it was a very cheap fix!

 

[Woodman]

I am also getting the same problem in exactly the same circumstances as you are David. However, it's not all the time so I can't be bothered to get it fixed! :roll: Let me know what the prognosis is!

Woodman

 

[David Cook]

A quick update on the problem. Checked around the hoses and came across, what I assume to be a breather pipe, not disconnected but only half in the hole.

It is situated on the back of but near the top of the engine block just between the letter S and A where it says SAAB. I refitted it and haven't had 'the smell' today. I'm hoping that this was the problem.

I was obviously mistaken thinking that it was a fuel smell as this is surely more likely to be oil. If this is the problem.

The fit on the rubber grommet is not very good as the rubber is a bit 'chewed' around the edges. I will replace this at the weekend for a tighter fitting one.

Hopefully sorted but thanks all for the responses.

 

[Chris 9-5]

The fit on the rubber grommet is not very good as the rubber is a bit 'chewed' around the edges. I will replace this at the weekend for a tighter fitting one.

That particular grommet decays very quickly, its almost a "change every service" type of item :roll:

 

[David Cook]

Just thought I would fill you in with the final prognosis on the cabin smell in case anyone else is trying to check out a similar problem on their car.

It turned out to be a perished 'o' ring which sits on top of what the mechanic called the fuel housing. ie just behind the oil filler cap. It was leaking oil not fuel down the back onto the pipework but not enough to cause drips. This was obviously getting burned off causing the fumes in the car.

Hopefully this is helpful to someone.

 

[Guest]

Well done David, hopefully it didnt cost a small country to find out.