So after the last two crazy weather shifts i started smelling fuel in the wife's forester. I searched forester gas smell and saw a thread on it somewhere on the internet but don't recall where, so i am starting one here.
Apparently early SG foresters have this problem. Extremely cold weather can cause the clamps on the fuel lines to loosen. When they loosen the pressure causes them to leak.
So when she said it was such a strong smell she couldn't breathe in the car i figured it was a good time to check it out.
I found the first leak on the drivers side on a 3 inch section of hose right under the spark wires. It was leaking about a drop every 3 or 4 seconds at idle. Pretty considerable leak. I didn't have any of the correct size line and i was too lazy to take the line off for a full inspection, so i just shifted the clamp over, made sure the line wasn't split or dry rotted, and then double clamped it. Leak stopped for now.
But, wait, there's more!
I still smelled gas but the leak was stopped. That is when i found the other side leak. The injector feed line on the passenger side. The short 3 inch section is under that metal cover and was dripping every 1-2 seconds. Bad. So i had to disconnect the power steering lines, the head breather hose, and remove the cover plate to get to it. I looked at the hose and it seemed to be in good condition, so i just tightened down the screw in the clamp. It was really loose.
Currently no more leaks but it is still cold out so more could develop.
I would suggest to any of you folks who think your gas mileage is starting to suck and you get a whiff of fuel while idling, go check those lines. It took me less than 30 minutes for this job and possibly saved my family from a fiery death!
Apparently early SG foresters have this problem. Extremely cold weather can cause the clamps on the fuel lines to loosen. When they loosen the pressure causes them to leak.
So when she said it was such a strong smell she couldn't breathe in the car i figured it was a good time to check it out.
I found the first leak on the drivers side on a 3 inch section of hose right under the spark wires. It was leaking about a drop every 3 or 4 seconds at idle. Pretty considerable leak. I didn't have any of the correct size line and i was too lazy to take the line off for a full inspection, so i just shifted the clamp over, made sure the line wasn't split or dry rotted, and then double clamped it. Leak stopped for now.
But, wait, there's more!
I still smelled gas but the leak was stopped. That is when i found the other side leak. The injector feed line on the passenger side. The short 3 inch section is under that metal cover and was dripping every 1-2 seconds. Bad. So i had to disconnect the power steering lines, the head breather hose, and remove the cover plate to get to it. I looked at the hose and it seemed to be in good condition, so i just tightened down the screw in the clamp. It was really loose.
Currently no more leaks but it is still cold out so more could develop.
I would suggest to any of you folks who think your gas mileage is starting to suck and you get a whiff of fuel while idling, go check those lines. It took me less than 30 minutes for this job and possibly saved my family from a fiery death!