gas smell

Probable causes of an engine running rich are as follows:

1.Excessive fuel pressure can be cause by restricted fuel return line
2.Defective Oxygen Sensors.
3.Leaking injectors and fuel pressure regulator.
4.Coolant temperature sensor out of calibration.
5.Restricted air intake system.

Lately I have been having problems with my car starting. I thought it was the battery cables, but they are in working order. Sometimes it doesn't start at all and other times it takes a while for the engine to cut on when I turn the key over. I smell gasoline when the car is idle and I'm wondering if it is related or if I should check in to both things as a seperate issue.

Check fuel pressure with mechanical gauge. It should hold pressure after pump is off, if not then injector, fuel pressure regulator.

Smells problem
2007 Chevy Cobalt Automatic 55329 miles

For the past week or so, my car stalls on starting after it has been sitting for a few hours. Everyday, it seems for take an extra second for it to start. Along with the stalling, while I'm driving I constantly smell gas, but I havent seen anything leaking from my car. The scent is strong enough to choke a horse. Suggestions have been that I need a new fuel filter, new starter and/or battery, or I have a gas leak.

What do you think, and what should I do?

Forget the battery and starter, you have a fuel leak somewhere, or clogged fuel return line.

Checking fuel pressure with a mechanical gauge would be a good starting point, and pressure should hold at 45psi for a minute or so after pump is off.

If normal pressure, raise car out on stands, pressurize fuel system by turning key to on then off and inspect entire fuel delivery system from tank to fuel rail.
Fuel leaks can sometimes not be visable on a hot engine since the gas evaporates very quickly, but this is a dangerous situation, a gas fire is a distinct possibility.

A fuel leak was the problem. However, noone could explain to be how a hole was on top of my tank.

But the problem is fixed and I'm out 400 bucks...

If it was on the tank, it could have been where the pump supply and return line go in, or part of the EVAP system.

In any case, I am glad it's repaired and you are safe.

My chevrolet cobalt is letting off a smell of gas but there's no leak on the ground it also is cutting off for no apparent reason and it shakes...

Chances are there is a leak that you don't see. Go to our do it yourself section on the home page and check fuel pressure. While doing it, I need you to pay attention to fuel pressure drop off when you shut the key. It should maintain for some time. If it drops quickly, there is a leak. Do that and let me know what you find.

Joe

My car smells like gas under the hood and out side the vehicle. sometimes the in side of the car smells but the smell isn't as strong as it is in the out side. The car also takes a long time for it to start on the first try. There are also no lights turned on on the dash board. I have not noticed any leaks but I have notice the smell getting stronger. this has been going on for over a month.

open the hood and check to see if you can see gas if you do take to a local mechanic sohe can fix it. have him also scan for codes as itmay be body module problem for your dash lights.

I smell gasoline when I start my engine, any ideas what to check out?

Check engine compartment for strong gas smell and any wetness. Around injectors and fuel rail. Is the smell stronger when car sits over night?

Yes I notice the smell when the engine is cold or the first time I start it for the day.

Maybe a problem with Evaporation system need to have that checked for proper operation. Still look around under hood.

There is a gas smell when the a/c is on fresh air, but no gas smell when on recirculate. Car also takes slightly longer to crank than usual. Are these things related? Any suggestions?

There is probably a gas leak in the engine compartment. The fresh air is pulled in from just in front of the bottom of the windshield, so any odors from the engine bay will make it into the car.
A small leak in a fuel injection system will drop the pressure enough to cause hard starting.
You also have a fire hazard on your hands so take it to a repair facility ASAP.

Smells problem
2006 Chevy Cobalt 4 cyl Automatic 85,000 miles

CAR HAS GAS SMELL WHILE DRIVING AND SITTING

If you smell it when you are driving, the smell is most likely coming from under the hood. Check where the fuel injectors are attached to the engine to make sure they are not leaking. Also, check along the fuel rail and inlet for leaks. If nothing is found, you will need to do a fuel pressure test and see how fast the fuel pressure drops after the key is off to determine if there is a leak in that part of the system or in the evap system.

Let me know what you find, or if you have other questions.

Joe

hi well that happen to me a few months ago with my 2007 chevrolet cobalt ls the problem was one of the two hoses that goes from the fuel pump to the gas tank was broken leaking gas drop by drop i end up changing the entired fuel pump it cost u about $ 300 and it was worth it cause i didnt have a problem since ! is also easy to replace pd. sorry im kind of late but maybe if it happen again u have an idea of what could be causing the problem !

when i was changing my oil today i noticed it smelled like gas especially when i took out the oil filter any suggestion on what can cause and fix this thanks also Ive noticed the pipe just before the cat gets very hot and the piece just after the cat is slightly warm (touchable) just after driving could this mean my cat could be plugging up

thanks for help

No, what happens is all oil smells like gas after it has been run for a while because the engine burns the fuel. Now if the oil is way over full and it smells like gas you have a injector that is leaking which you can find by pulling a spark plug and checking the color. Black or wet is no good, replace the injector.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-fuel-injector

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

While I was changing my oil today I noticed it smelled like gas especially when I took out the oil filter. Any suggestion on what can cause and fix this? Also, I noticed the pipe just before the cat gets very hot and the piece just after the cat is slightly warm (touchable) just after driving could this mean my cat could be plugging up? Thanks for help

The fuel in the oil and the temp difference in the exhaust pipes are good signs of a catalyst restriction.