2007 turbo with 120K miles. Recently I have been smelling gas on startup. Car has begun to start harder and idle rough, but runs great above idle. Fuel economy is same as 5 years ago......... Have done some searches, but nothing really conclusive. I would think that as these 2nd gen cars get more miles it would become a common problem and I'd be able to get some suggestions on where to look. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Not really enough info yet - as other things can cause these symptoms. But "smells" like the HPFP is starting to go ....

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ymptoms-3.html

 

I read that could be it...but was hoping not (no codes) for what they cost to replace. Was really hoping it would be an injector o-ring or even cracked fuel rail??

 

but those tend to lead to rough rides under load, not at idle .... these symptoms might not cause a code yet

 

If you’re smelling gas, pop the rear seat and open up the access panels. Check the connectors on the top of the fuel tank.

 

As well as fuel filter

 

Smells like it coming from firewall area.....but, will check the tank pump and filter as well. Hard to grasp what is causing since it is only on start up and "sometimes" after shut down. Don't smell it driving.

Does anyone have any experience with aftermarket high pressure pumps? I see them from 250 all the way up to 1500.

 

Don’t get one of the cheap options, quality control seems to be hit or miss. Either get an OEM Mini pump, or one of the PSA versions.

 

I believe ECS has a lifetime warranty on their HPFP. Ping them Mike - he is on here a lot and good at responding.

Note - it might not be the fuel pump, as we have limited data. Just saying that it could be. You could replace the fuel filter first - just taking a shot.

I seem to recall an earlie thread where someone discovered a weak solder in the control board, that drove the HPFP, but could not find it. Found the below link btw, which might help. Poster found a bad o ring in the fuel pump assembly that caused some gas smell ...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...gnose-diy.html

 

Yep it falls under the replacement if you bought it from us.

My guess is a connection issue or the line going to the HPFP has a small leak or residue. Check that connection and o-ring, I would wash the lines with soap and water, then dry, then use the old sniff for fuel test.

 

My suggestion would be using a spray bottle that has soap and water and spray it on the fuel line. The suds from the soap should give you a tell tale sign if it starts bubbling away.

 

That trick doesn't work with fluids in the lines, only gasses.

 

I just thought the smell was considered gas fumes. You maybe right eventhough I never ran into any issue myself of smelling gas fumes.

 

I had a bad HPFP with cel codes and rough start/idle issues, and gas smell. Replaced the pump with one from ECS Tuning (because they have a lifetime replacement). Fixed my start/idle issues, but still had gas smell.
Found out it was a cracked fuel filter housing. Those aren't cheap either though.
Still can't believe I had 2 fuel issues happen at the same time.

 

Could also be an exhaust leak from the downpipe, which is why you don't smell it when you're moving. I had a small crack in my downpipe and would always smell it if I turn on the air/AC while im going under 15mph or so.

 

Very interesting point.
I only smell gas in cabin when parked & with the AC on fresh. Change to recirc & it clears up.

 

Yep it cuts off the outside air that pulls up near the cowl inlet on the one side near the battery.