Strong Fuel Smell after Refueling

[Jon P]

Hi Everyone,

On our 2015 Expy, after filling up the fuel tank, to full, I notice a strong smell outside and around the fuel filler. I got down on the ground and looked underneath and could not find any obvious fuel spills. After driving a short distance and the fuel level goes down a bit and the smell goes away. The smell is only on the outside and strongest directly underneath by the filler neck.

Anybody experience this before? Next time I fill it up I'll be sure to look more closely underneath to see if there is an actual fuel spill.

Jon

 

[bobmbx]

Gasoline has a strong, long-lasting odor, and it doesn't take much to notice it. Step in a drop or two at the pump, then get in your car. It'll smell for days. If there are no signs of continuing leakage (wet spots anywhere), don't worry about it.

 

[J Ski]

Hi Everyone,

On our 2015 Expy, after filling up the fuel tank, to full, I notice a strong smell outside and around the fuel filler. I got down on the ground and looked underneath and could not find any obvious fuel spills. After driving a short distance and the fuel level goes down a bit and the smell goes away. The smell is only on the outside and strongest directly underneath by the filler neck.

Anybody experience this before? Next time I fill it up I'll be sure to look more closely underneath to see if there is an actual fuel spill.

Jon

is this a serious post? Come on man... have you ever heard of benzene? its a light end in gasoline and a strong carcinogen. I get a really strong smell of gas when I'm standing at a gas pump that's got gasoline in it, on it, around it... common sense dude

 

[J Ski]

like I honestly cannot believe this question was asked... hope you didn't go sniffing around too much trying to find where the GAS smell was coming from at a GAS station after putting a full tank of GAS in your GAS tank

 

[Jon P]

Guys, reread my post and I see my post might lead you to believe I was at the gas station when I noticed the smell, sorry for that. The fuel smell was noticed while parked in the garage overnight and after fueling.

 

[chuck s]

Standard recommendation is to let the pump turn itself off and then stop filling. We all reactivate the pump (often more than once) to get that extra quart in there. I think too much floods the tank air filter with the attendant odor.

-- Chuck

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Guys, reread my post and I see my post might lead you to believe I was at the gas station when I noticed the smell, sorry for that. The fuel smell was noticed while parked in the garage overnight and after fueling.

I suspect you have a leak (which can be leaking fumes and not liquid), and that is why you smell the gas fumes.

You may know this - but you should never add more fuel once the fuel nozzle shuts off. I even think this is mentioned in the owner’s manual, and prevents the system from being overfilled and forcing liquid into the vapor canister.

You may want to take the vehicle to the dealer for evaluation.

You should probably ignore some of the rude, unhelpful replies. Good luck.

(I have a 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4).

 

[Muddy Bean]

Jon,

Just some thoughts. I noticed when I’m filling my truck that if I top off (please people don’t waste your breath with the top off charcoal canister nagging) the excess fuel actually drips down onto the ground from underneath the truck somewhere. I assumed this was ford engineering making sure that we don’t dribble fuel down the side of our paint underneath our fuel door. Wherever that fuel dribbles out could be the source of your smell. Could also be the canister does need a dry out. Toyota Land Cruisers are known for filling the cab with a fuel smell during a fill and it had something to do with the charcoal canisters. Since yours is a 2015 (like mine) I highly doubt you have a leak somewhere. I’m curious if you are topping off or just letting it click off?


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[chuck s]

The "don't top off" standard recommendation is usually ignored. I certainly ignore it.

Can we get a show of hands from those who ignore it? .......... Wow! Almost everyone!

-- Chuck

 

[J Ski]

I fill until the pumps stops itself from backflow. Then top off to nearest whole dollar. Never had an issue and always seeing around 515 miles to empty

 

[JExpedition07]

I usually set the pump to $65 and let it roll till it stops if I’m low, I try not to go under a quarter tank since gasoline is a heat sync for the fuel pump. Idk I’ve topped mine off plenty of times and never get a strong gas smell, but I don’t go crazy overfilling it, you will get a smell of you do.

 

[Muddy Bean]

I’m so thankful for a normal crowd here. On another forum, this thread would have morphed into a “why not to top off” thread.... you guys are generally a enjoyable bunch to chat with on here. Anyway, when you fill up you show 515 miles until empty? What is your average MPG?


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[ExpeditionAndy]

I filled up on Saturday. Filled till it clicked, filled some more until it clicked again, and then added more until it clicked again and then gave it another shot or two for good measure.

 

[J Ski]

I’m so thankful for a normal crowd here. On another forum, this thread would have morphed into a “why not to top off” thread.... you guys are generally a enjoyable bunch to chat with on here. Anyway, when you fill up you show 515 miles until empty? What is your average MPG?


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17-18

 

[Muddy Bean]

Ok. I haven’t been able to get mine to read that high on the DTE unless I’m driving like a grandma which I did the other day on a 300 mile trip:



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[J Ski]

Ok. I haven’t been able to get mine to read that high on the DTE unless I’m driving like a grandma which I did the other day on a 300 mile trip:



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It’s either Eco or boost. Can’t have both. Eco is there if you can find a sweet spot and drive like grandma. Boost is there whenever you need it. You want boost, you ain’t gonna get eco and vice versa. As soon as you come off highway, there goes ur mpgs

 

[razrback]

Hi, I have the same issue with fumes after refilling. I don't overdo fill up either. Like you, I've done a cursory look, but no wet spots. I thought the fill neck was leaking, but no visible signs there either. Smell appears to be in the gas cap to drivers door area. I've never noticed inside of car. I plan on opening up the fuel filter door to see if anything is going on there.

So, if you find out anything, let's is know.

 

[Jon P]

Thanks guys for your input. I am one of those who tries to get the last drop in the tank....next fill up will be at the end of this week and this time I will stop at the first click.

I'll let you know if that helps.

Thanks again
Jon

 

[J Ski]

Smell appears to be in the gas cap to drivers door area.

Really?! Are you serious, smell of GAS in the GAS Cap!!!! Come on guys common sense, gas vapors are dense they hang around for a while, we can smell concnetraions as small as 1/4 of 1ppm. Nobody is using common sense
here apparently. It’s freakin has people! The shit smells, it gets on your clothes, in ur car, on your hands. Chill out, if there’s not a puddle under ur car then forget about it. Jesus...

 

[J Ski]

Should I be worried that I have a really strong exhaust smell if I put my nose in my tail pipe and turn the truck on?