Comments on: Cold weather fuel leak

By: Jiri

Jiri — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:02:01 +0000

Thanks Erik for your quick response. It has been several weeks since they did the work and it still smells the same. It would eliminate the burned fluids. The crankcase vent hoses might be a possibility. Although it would be a rare coincidance it also could be a small hole somewhere under the uxhaust pipe shields that showed up at the same time as the repair. I will keep investigating.
Thanks again. Jiri

By: erik

erik — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:03:42 +0000

Yuck. They shouldn’t need to remove any exhaust parts. I remember taking off the intake, intercooler, intake manifold, green brackets of death, crankcase vent hoses… just about everything above the block.

The only thing on that list that carries exhaust-smelling fumes might be the crankcase vent hoses, but they don’t carry much. I suppose a leak at the intake manifold could smell a bit…

Depending on how long it’s been, there’s always the possibility that it’s just a bit of fluid dripped during the install that’s burning off. I pulled some coolant hoses, and coolant can definitely stink when burning off.

By: Jiri

Jiri — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:45:27 +0000

I had the fuel hose replaced within a recall in the local dealership but since then instead of fuel I smell exhaust fumes in the cabin. While changing the hose do they have to disconnect or somehow move the exhaust pipe in the engine bay? I suspect that they did that and did not install it back the way they shoud so it is now leaking exhaust fumes into the engine area and the fan (when on) blows it into the cabin. Does that make sense?

By: erik

erik — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:15:02 +0000

Wow. Sounds like exactly the same issue the WRX has (and I’d certainly expect that Subaru used the same fuel lines on both models.) Sorry to hear that the voluntary WRX recall doesn’t help your RS.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:02:32 +0000

I’m glad I stumbled upon this… I have a 2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS that leaks fuel every time it is cold out. It started small, leaking only in an unfortunately hard to reach part of the fuel line where a short rubber hose is attached on both sides by clamps. Now, it will leak from any clamp on any part of the fuel line. I keep a screwdriver in my glove box to tighten all of the clamps every time I smell gasoline fumes. I know exactly what the problem is but am having trouble finding any sort of fix.

The issue, at least with my car, is that the rubber tubes on my fuel lines are expanding in warmer weather, causing the clamps to expand as well. When the temperature goes through steep drops, the rubber shrinks, but the clamps remain expanded and become loose, allowing fuel to leak everywhere. While tightening the bolts on the clamps fixes the problem, this is only a temporary fix as the cycle repeats itself every time the weather changes (which is often here in Colorado). I have taken my car to the dealership who will do nothing but offer to tighten the bolts for me (not much help).

I was wondering if anyone has had a similar issue? I called Subaru of America and they could not help me since my car was not a WRX. I’ve heard about spring-loaded fuel clamps, but I’m not sure if I would be able to replace the clamps in my car.

By: Ken Lingbloom

Ken Lingbloom — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:00:03 +0000

Thank you for all the information. I have a 2004 Forester and have had this problem for a couple of years. The dealer says, “Yes, it sure smell like raw gas,” and scratches his head. No “fix” offered or discussed.

While not a fix, I have found that reving the engine a couple of times seemed to help stem the flow. Kind of like the old days in resetting the choke.

Armed wit h the service bulletin information, I may try my luck again. Or, perhaps a call to SOA. But, since I live in a state not listed (Washington) it all may be for naught.

Regardless, thanks again.

By: Edwin Knox

Edwin Knox — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:04:05 +0000

MY 2000 Outback here in cold AB has the same problem. If I warm it up w/o running the fan and wait until tem is up to mormal – then turn on the defrost/heat no smell – but yea every time I start it in cold wx – the problem is there. Time to look at a solution – thanks all!

By: erik

erik — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:02:55 +0000

Glad you picked an ’02, but sorry you’re now dealing with this. The smoke might not be fuel though — more likely just some spilled coolant or oil from a recent change. I’d keep an eye on that to see if it persists.

By: chris

chris — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:44:09 +0000

Just bought a 2002 wrx second night i drove it got this terrible gas smell and light smoke from engine bay. I got up early to deal with this , decided to chek the web and what a suprise to find so many more with same problem.

By: Louise

Louise — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:01:00 +0000

wow, FINALLY i found out what is wrong with my 2002 WRX! Sorry to hear that so many of you have the same problem, but it is a relief to know that it is a design fault and not anything more sinister. I have just put a deposit on a new car (not a Subaru) and am trading my car in now, having had enough of the smell and the £2000 plus i have spent on labour and parts to try and rectify this. Two of these trips to the garage were to a Subaru specialist in the UK who clearly had NO idea what was causing this problem. Could have saved me ££££ if i had found this website before. Really frustrating but glad to know that i am selling on a car with only a temporary design fault. Well done to whoever sussed this out!

By: erik

erik — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:06:56 +0000

Fantastic news!

By: brad

brad — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:57:20 +0000

Bill, Nevermind (memories of Rosanne rosannaDanna) Subaru just offered the recall WWK-21 Jan 2010. They will cover the repair with the longer rubber fuel hose and the shorter metal fuel line( these parts are on back order currently, and they said they would call me when they get them in and schedule the free repair. They need my vin# since I have not received the recall notice yet from Subaru.
This is a great blog site with tons of good info.
Brad PS The recall is for certain model year 2002 and 2003 IMPREZA WRX vehiclesorriginally sold in or currently registered in the cold states of S. Dak, Neb.,
N. Dak., Minn., Id., Iowa., Mont., Colo., Wisc., N.Y., Wyo., Mich., AlaskaImagine that! New Hamp., Vermont, and Maine I do not see how they could stop with only these states The recall posted on the ODI site (office of defects investgation) also states that Subaru will extend the warrenty coverage to 12 years/unlimited mileage on vehicles in the remailning 34 states, see recall claim 09V-468