Wagon Wagon Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Apologies if this was already asked, I didn't find it using the search function. So I've got this 02 Impreza 2.5 nonturbo, and it's been in the frigid north for about a month after living in Florida for the past 13 years. I noticed when it's cold outside I'm smelling fuel. Above 35 degrees or so and the smell goes away. The car hasn't seen temperatures like that since about 2005 so who knows if it's a new problem. Engine cold or warm, it makes no difference. I'm not seeing any leakage or anything. Any thoughts on where to begin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreaseMonkey03 Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Does it smell towards the rear of the car or the front? Gas evaporates quick. Check the base of the injectors where they go into the block and all the associated lines fuel rails gaskets etc while someone turns the key on and off to prime the fuel pump. Usually that will expose a leak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colemanapp Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I had to replace a gas tank recently that was worse when cold too. The cab usually smelled a little like fuel too. WHen I jacked up one side in the rear, I was able to get a visible drop now and then. Get it inside if you can and do a little sniffing. No smoking tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagon Wagon Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 Definitely in the front. Very noticeable odor in the engine bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreaseMonkey03 Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Just keep having someone prime the pump to try and spot it. Worst case follow your nose if you can't spot it. Check by the fuel filter too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY_Dave Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 There are a lot of cases where the clamps under the hood need tightening, they seal warm but need to be tighter to seal in the cold. Might be no drips, just leaking as fast as it can evaporaTE. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 ^^^ what he said - well known on Imprezas around this model year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 +1 check fuel clamps in engine bay. tighten them a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostinthe202 Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 When tightening the clamps, make sure nobody has replaced the original kind that don't have serrations with a worm drive hose clamp. the worm drive ones can crack the lines if overtightened Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Fuel injector o-rings do this in cold weather. We have had multiple complaints on this due to exceptionally low temps in early January. GD 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagon Wagon Posted February 12, 2017 Author Share Posted February 12, 2017 Thanks for the help. I tightened the clamps today and they had a surprising amount of give in them. I also smelled gas when I put my nose right up to the lines. Hopefully that takes care of it, but I guess I'll find out next time it gets cold... we seem to be in an abnormal warm spell for the time being... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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