Fuel Smell

[NobleSteed]

My M12 has recently started smelling of fuel, which disappears a short time after starting up. It is very noticeable in the gararge just walking around the car. I looked at previous threads (Filler Cap etc) but that didn't seem to be the cause (tried tightening the nut, but no difference). In the end I decided to change the Breather / Vapour trap unit.
This lives just above the fuel pump forward of the NSR wheel. Just requires the cover foward of the rear wheel to be removed and then it is a 5 minute job to change. Bingo, no more fuel smell. Cost around £25.
Part no is (Ford) 89FB 9A 153 AB from a Fiesta. Hope this is of use

Regards

Richard



>> Edited by noblesteed on Sunday 12th February 16:40

[AMG Merc]

NobleSteed said:

My M12 has recently started smelling of fuel, which disappears a short time after starting up. It is very noticeable in the gararge just walking around the car. I looked at previous threads (Filler Cap etc) but that didn't seem to be the cause (tried tightening the nut, but no difference). In the end I decided to change the Breather / Vapour trap unit. This lives just above the fuel pump forward of the NSR wheel. Just requires the cover foward of the rear wheel to be removed and then it is a 5 minute job to change. Bingo, no more fuel smell. Cost around £25. Part no is (Ford) 89FB 9A 153 AB from a Fiesta. Hope this is of use Regards Richard So, was the old one blocked then? >> Edited by noblesteed on Sunday 12th February 16:40

[NobleSteed]

I changed it as a last resort, as I know of know way of testing one. I initially thought it was only a breather valve, but after some reserch it turns out it is a cut off as well if the car ever rolls over (you can hear ball valves moving if you turn it upside down, the unit not the car!!). Those two functions seem entirely logical. With regard to the 'breather' function I couldn't understand how the unit could allow air in or out of the tank and yet still trap the smell, but the parts guy at my local Ford Dealer said it was definately also a 'Vapour' trap, and indeed it says so on the box. As the gararge now has no fuel smell great, but how it traps vapour is a mystery (might cut up the old one to have a look). Just thought it might help if anyone is trying to track down a fuel smell
Regards

Richard

[mandybex]

Problem with reading these pages is a bit like reading a medical encylopaedia - you think you've all the diseases - so pls be kind chaps..........

Anyway, my brakes(no old ladies on them greg) and speedo are working fine and I've a huge stupid grin on my face as I rally around the M4 BUT.....! I've just read a couple of posting about the smell of fuel. I've got this on my car - thought it was normal - either down to me driving it badly( still getting used to it) or because the engine seems so exposed.

Seems a valve may need changing. Does it affect the car or can I wait a couple of thousand miles until my next service to have this fixed. Don't mind the smell of petrol actually.

Mandybex

[Mr Noble]

I tightened the screw at the bottom of the filler cap, makes it much tighter when you twist it closed again and it stopped the small too!.

HTH
G

[DanH]

mandybex said:

Problem with reading these pages is a bit like reading a medical encylopaedia - you think you've all the diseases - so pls be kind chaps.......... Anyway, my brakes(no old ladies on them greg) and speedo are working fine and I've a huge stupid grin on my face as I rally around the M4 BUT.....! I've just read a couple of posting about the smell of fuel. I've got this on my car - thought it was normal - either down to me driving it badly( still getting used to it) or because the engine seems so exposed. Seems a valve may need changing. Does it affect the car or can I wait a couple of thousand miles until my next service to have this fixed. Don't mind the smell of petrol actually. Mandybex

Is this a smell when its running, or more one that builds up when stationary? If the former I wouldn't worry. The latter is one of those puzzles that has been evading people for years. It would be interesting if this was the solution.

[Mr Noble]

See above!! :P

[obes]

There's a breather valve that packs up on the N.S. behind the panel where the intake is. Have got mine off a the mo so will post a pic