Fuel smell in truck

[07ExpyEL]

Hey Guys,

Got my 2007 EB EL a couple of months ago, the truck has 33k miles on it and seems to have been well cared for. This past week, the truck developed a fuel smell, you can smell gas from outside and inside when you put the defrost or heat on. There is no obvious leak just the strong odor. I took it to the dealer already and they said the found some fitting slightly loose and that was the problem. Some how they missed the fact that the truck still has the fuel smell so it it going back again tomorrow. Any ideas what I should steer them to? There was a recall back in 2008 for the fuel rail crossover hose, but my truck was not part of the recall.

thanks in advance. I found this site right after I bought my truck and it has been great for information.

Rob

 

[Reconracer]

Did they pressure test your fuel system?

 

[07ExpyEL]

Its at the dealer now, I will ask them that question. It hasn't thrown any codes though which seems strange. The other thing is when this smell started, it also developed a tapping noise, it sounds like a lifter tap, but maybe its something in the fuel injection.

 

[Reconracer]

Injectors tick...have them check the o-rings on the injectors as well. If they haven't fixed the problem, stick a long screw driver against each of the injectors and listen. They'll all tick to a certain extent, but you may have one abnormally loud.

 

[07ExpyEL]

Got the truck back from the dealer. They couldn't find anything wrong. They pressure tested the system and filled it with some kind of smoke to test for leaks and found nothing. I acutally met with the mechanic this morning and of course there was no smell. I guess I will just wait and see what happens.

Going to try and figure out where that lifter tap is coming from this weekend. I will also change the oil and maybe try an engine flush.

 

[07ExpyEL]

Just wanted to post an update, figured out the problem and fixed it myself, so much for the master technichians at the dealer. Between the lifter tapping sound and the fuel smell I was ready to get rid of the truck. I googled different things about the tapping and fuel smell and came up with a link that said loose spark plugs could cause that sound as air escapes past the plugs and combustion vapors could escape as well. So I checked all the plugs and two were about 1/4 turn loose. Tightened them both up and tapping and fuel smell were gone.

Took the truck on a small trip this weekend and was able to get 19.9 mpg on a 200 mile trip. Finally happy again and I'm keeping the truck.