Tracking down a fuel leak - suggestions

[ExtraSlow]

Well, my "savage supercar" is smelling like fuel these days, and I'm certain isn't not from a spill or anything. Don't notice the smell outside, but in the cabin it's noticeable when the heater fan is running, which is pretty much all the time these days.

Isn't a big leak, but something I need to track down. Suggestions?
This is a 2010 Honda Fit, in case you don't know.

[mzdspd]

Just did a quick google search and apparently quite a few people said that they had a similar smell and it was a loose spark plug.. So I would start with that.

http://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-g...mpartment.html

[Mitsu3000gt]

Ages ago this happened to my 3000gt and it was the seal on the top of the gas tank, but I wouldn't be surprised if they don't even have those anymore haha.

[RickDaTuner]

Of you've noticed a lack of power, and hear puft, puft. I would check the plugs as suggested.

If you don't have any driving concerns I would check fuel lines, evap piping.

Other areas to check are, injector seals, fuel rail firings, also the fuel pressure test port. Usually a shrader valve

[Sentry]

It's only smellz.

[carson blocks]

Originally posted by Sentry
It's only smellz.

[JDMMAN]

ExtraSlow - this is what I did with my brother's previous vehicle.

(for under engine bay) Mix up a soapy water solution, spray down all the rubber fuel hose line from the rails to the fuel filter and FPR. Clean of any potential petroleum residue. Then let dry. Put the key in the on position, and see if there's any fuel leaks in the same spot.

The above helped me identify a small crack in a fuel hose linking the fuel rail to the supply from the FPR.

Once you've eliminated the change of the engine bay being the issue, target the fuel tank and the fuel filler area.

A process of elimination will help you identify the problem.

[ShermanEF9]

i had a fuel leak once that stunk like mad. ended up being an injector o ring.

[ExtraSlow]

Actually have noticed a different sound. Once I get done my "work" for the day I will check out the plugs this afternoon.

[cancer man]

Check the plugs but for whatever reason cylinder 2 and 3 are always loose.
Like 2-3 turns loose and no check engine light. If not and you cannot see any visual leakage i do have a smoke detector we can hook to the gas tank.

[ExtraSlow]

Holy fuck boys, I'm embarrassed. So I recently changed the oil, and it turns out I'm a total looser moron idiot and left the oil fill cap off.

Lucky jerk that I am, it was still wedged in the hood where I left it. So I have replaced it, and the smell is gone.


Goddmaned savage fully loaded supercar is still going strong! Aside from a good anti-corrosion sheen of aeresolized oil on the inside of my hood, no harm done. Didn't need to add any more oil.

Fuck yeah!

[RickDaTuner]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Holy fuck boys, I'm embarrassed. So I recently changed the oil, and it turns out I'm a total looser moron idiot and left the oil fill cap off.

Lucky jerk that I am, it was still wedged in the hood where I left it. So I have replaced it, and the smell is gone.


Goddmaned savage fully loaded supercar is still going strong! Aside from a good anti-corrosion sheen of aeresolized oil on the inside of my hood, no harm done. Didn't need to add any more oil.

Fuck yeah!

gotta admit, I've done that one or twice on my own car... glad you took a look under the hood.

[ExtraSlow]

I was trying to see how the access was for the spark plugs, and I was getting pissed off because they seemed to be around the back side of this little engine. Was just wondering if I was going to have to access them from below when I made my discovery.

Bombed around town fro a couple of days, putting about 100kms on the car while that cap was off, and somehow it didn't dissapear.

Big win.

[mzdspd]

Wow you are pretty lucky..

Pro tip from working at a shop changing oil..

When you take off the oil cap, put it where the hood latch is.. That way if you forget and go to close the hood, the cap will prevent you from closing the hood.

[ExtraSlow]

It's better to be lucky than good looking. Or at least that's what I tell myself.

[mr2mike]

All I can think about is the scene from Tommy Boy when the hood flips up on them.

Richard Hayden: Hey... I was just thinking... when we stopped for gas this morning I think it was you who put the oil in.

Tommy: Hey if you're going to say I didn't put the right kind in, you're wrong. I used 10W30. And besides, motor oil would have nothing to do with this accident.

Richard Hayden: True. But you can't latch the hood too well, IF YOU DON'T TAKE THE CAN OUT, YOU NO-SELLING WASTE OF SPACE.

[ExtraSlow]

Well, as you know I do have an uncanny resemblance to Chris Farley . . .

[roberts99]

Beware dont smoke if you smell gas lol

[G-ZUS]

Originally posted by cancer man
Check the plugs but for whatever reason cylinder 2 and 3 are always loose.
Like 2-3 turns loose and no check engine light. If not and you cannot see any visual leakage i do have a smoke detector we can hook to the gas tank.

Would this detector be able to track down a evap leak?