Need the GURUs - Starting issues and gas smell

[fyr145]

If youre smelling fuel towards the rear of the vehicle, 3 things come to mind.

1. Possibly the vapor recovery tube is loose. Its that thin narrow tube either next to or along the main fuel inlet piping that goes from the inlet towards the fuel tank.

2. Bad seal gasket on the fuel cap. Today's gas caps are vented and have that round rubberized gasket to help create a seal at the fuel opening.

3. cracked fuel tank......possible but unless you see fuel leaking, not probable.

[jsbihn]

actually I thought it was the rear but now I am starting to think it is in the front.
Not sure.

I can smell it come through the a/c when the a/c is sucking in fresh air from out side.
not so much if it is on recycle.

It is driving me nuts trying to track down this issue.

Help!!!!

(btw thanks for the answer fyr, I will try to check it out later today .... since it is 5am now)

[jsbihn]

Ok tracked down the smell of the gas.
It is from my drivers side rear.... basically when I sniffed around I could smell it with the engine running in the left wheel well.

So I guess I need to follow what fyr said, of course.

The other issue that I have seen is that over the past few days, it doesnt take as much to start. Before where it could have taken 3 cycles with the key and originally where it took a really long cycle, now it seems to start up almost without difficult. May just a quick second longer then a normal start.

So where should I start looking and tracking?
It seems weird, almost like another H2 gremlin.

[fyr145]

well, IF its one of the 3 issues that came to mind, then i'd start at the easiest one to look for and work toward the more illusive ones.

if its the vapor recovery tube, then you'll have to get under the rig with a flashlight and small mirror (maybe use a telescoping type like mechanics use) and start at the fuel neck and look for wet/damp areas that would indicate a leak. Work your way downward towards the tank. The vapor recovery tube should be right around that main fuel tube. Take your time and look at BOTH tubes to see if there are any leaks.

On the other hand, IF its the gas cap, simply replacing the gas cap will solve that problem as they are vented but then you'll know that with the new cap, you have a fresh gasket that seals the rim of the fuel inlet.

Lastly, if after you've looked at the tubes, move toward the top of the tank right where the filler tube meets up with the fuel tank itself and start from there. Again, take your time and look closely for any kind of wetness or dampness that would indicate a leak. If you're smelling it, then the remnants of a leak would be present. Remember that the leak doesn't have to be huge, just a small enough of a leak can make you smell the fuel.

I don't recall what year your H2 was, but if its that fuel filler tube, I have the part numbers for you.

The area I am referencing is part #5, note the vapor recovery tube on top.

[jmudler]

Check out the vapor canister too while you are at it (same spot). You normally would have a check engine light or error code 0455/0456