Fuel Smell. And Ticking. Related?

[Anakha]

Ok, I've been trying to figure why I can sometimes smell fuel in my car.

At first I thought it may have been the a/c -

I tested this by turning the a/c on and seeing what hapnd. And yes. there was the smell

I then tested the a/c using recycled air. No smell.

From this I deduced the smell is coming from either the a/c lines, or somewhere else in the engine (as the a/c pulls in air from the back of the engine bay?)

So I went and looked through the a/c lines (the a/c is the cylinder at the front left side of engine bay). All lines are good.

I've double check all fuel lines - no leak/holes etc. Injectors also got replaced recently.

Having no idea what is wrong, I've continued driving the car. I've now noticed a couple of things (I may be imagining some tho )

1. Smell seems to be more usual when i have a full tank?

2. " " " " " " " " when i use the a/c (not with recycle)

3. In the morning on the way to work - no smell. On the way back - some smell. If going somewhere that evening after work - smell. - possibly fuel getting caught somewhere after idling/switch-off?

Ok, now the ticking. I'm getting a fast tick from the engine. I can hear it outside the car (bonnet closed). I'm thinking its the turbo gasket - good assumption?

Could these be related? I think highly unlikely as fuel doesnt go in the turbo manifold etc?

[tek_01]

assumption about the ticking is probably right, either exhaust manifold or turbo gasket causes a ticking noise. but dont just assume..make sure of it or else money would be wasted

and about the fuel i cant really help u but i notice mine as soon as i start it up it smells like fuel but goes away and doesnt come back until i start it again. also happened more when i changed fuel pump so maybe a leak somewhere or just i never noticed it before

[Guilt-Toy]

i had this problem.

Check your charcol canister. if its not hooked up PROPERLY then you will have the fuel smell. also there is a breather that sits on the top of the dif from the fuel tank make sure thats plugged inproperly (that was disconected on my R33)

Id just be checking the charcol canister to start with. make sure its hooked up PROPERLY.

[Anakha]

i had this problem.

Check your charcol canister. if its not hooked up PROPERLY then you will have the fuel smell. also there is a breather that sits on the top of the dif from the fuel tank make sure thats plugged inproperly (that was disconected on my R33)

Id just be checking the charcol canister to start with. make sure its hooked up PROPERLY.

Wow thanks for the fast reply. But sorry. charcol canister? What and where?

And thanks tek and yeah I'll make sure

Edited February 28, 2007 by Anakha

[Anakha]

Hi guys. just pulling this question up again.... havnt figured it yet. ty

[tek_01]

charcoal canister is a device that has something to do with emissions as far as i know (not sure what it does or how to hook it up correctly) but i know what it looks like in my 33

its a can about 15-20cms round and about 20cms high usually just behind the passenger front headlight but mine was tucked away under the front bar somewhere. usually has 2-3 hoses coming in and out of it

about the fuel smell, check and double check the lines in your engine bay as well as leaking o-rings around the injectors

also have a read of this, probably not your problem but something to consider

http://planetsoarer.com/fuel/index.html

[Mr_GaZZa]

hi mate,

yeah i get the same with my r33... i had it for like 8 months was quiet... then started to get a ticking noise that echos of the driveway!!

pop the bonnet, cams r quiet.. and everything...!!!

but the injectors are noisey?!

could it be them???

wish i knew ... little consered for my car

GaZ

[Birnie]

had the ticking recently and it was (for me) the gasket between the turbo and exhaust manifold......also causing exhaust gasses to escape and be smelt in the cabin.

Recently replaced the turbo and the gasket fell into 5 perished bits on the floor.

Replacing that stopped the ticking.

Make sure you get a Nissan brand gasket too as the cheap ones are exactly that....cheap..n nasty

$42 from Nissan from memory

Another prob i had early on in the ownership that may be related to your fuel smell, and was more common than i originally thought

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...c=72328&hl=

[Mr_GaZZa]

had the ticking recently and it was (for me) the gasket between the turbo and exhaust manifold......also causing exhaust gasses to escape and be smelt in the cabin.

Recently replaced the turbo and the gasket fell into 5 perished bits on the floor.

Replacing that stopped the ticking.

Make sure you get a Nissan brand gasket too as the cheap ones are exactly that....cheap..n nasty

$42 from Nissan from memory

Another prob i had early on in the ownership that may be related to your fuel smell, and was more common than i originally thought

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...c=72328&hl=

omg are u serious!!! i had no ticking noise.. its like happened over time... lol i am so replacing mine now!! GG

does that also cause like a hissing noise when on heavy boost?

[Birnie]

Not hissing, but increased ticking when throttle was down.

Coasting off throttle, there was zero noise.

Also, check the bolts around the manifold to turbo and turbo to down pipe.

They are common to come loose and are easy to diagnose, open bonnet and have a lookski.

Takes 30 secs.

If you're really keen, check the bolts around your Cat too, might as well.

I had a small leak there once, actually...come to think of it, that caused a ticket noise that you could hear echoing off the wall....yeah...check that.

Have it running and put your hand near the cat and check for noise and feal for air, look for smokey gas.

Few turns of a spanner will fix that too.

[Anakha]

Thanks guys. I'm def gonna check about the new gasket - just verify with some ppl they think thats where the noise is coming from. I'll also check the cat. And the tank seal for that matter

One thing with the turbo mainfold - the fuel smell I get is what I believe to be an unburnt fuel smell - wouldn't it be burnt if it was coming from there?

Um one other quick question, whats the easiest way to buy something from Nissan - caus I went to Gold Coast Nissan and they wanted $120+ for the gasket

[tek_01]

thats the gasket from the engine to manifold not manifold to turbo which is around the 40 dollar mark

[Bl0r]

check your injectors aren't leaking. might of missed an O ring when they were replaced, which would make em louder i would think... while the engines running put a screwdriver against the injectors and listen to them, make shure the sound isnt in time with the ticking of any injectors.

you would also see dirt build up under the injection ports or the fuel rail too.

goodluck