I have a 1997 Corvette with approximately 80,000 miles. About a week ago I started smelling gas in the garage. I've checked the fuel filter for evidence of a leak (I have not removed the filter). I also checked for evidence of a leak at the fuel rails and injectors and it looks dry with no stains. I also do not see any evidence of a leak at the braided supply and return hoses. I do see evidence of a puddle on the garage floor just below the area where the bell housing meets the motor. Are there any fuel line connectors between the point where the fuel lines pass through the firewall / bulkhead and where they drop down to the bottom of the car?

I searched the forum but only found information on leaks at the reary of the car.

Your thoughts?

Thanks,
Charlie

 

Update:
I have not found the source of the gasoline odor yet. I think I've ruled out the fuel system, fuel lines, injectors and rails mainly because I'm not loosing any pressure in the system and there is no indication of a leak. I took a pretty good look at the crossover pipe with a light and a mirror. I'm going to take a closer look with a borescope tomorrow. I'll also remove the inner wheel well to gain access to the filler neck. I'm also thinking about the evap system but I don't have a check engine light and there are no codes set. Any insight would be greatly appriciated.

I'm starting to miss my 69 Chevelle .

Thanks,
Charlie

 

My filter leaked about 40k on my ‘98- seems like a fairly common issue.

 

I'm in the SE Cape...if you want to swing by tomorrow or this week I can take a look !!..I have a halogen leak detector for AC work and it will detect hydrocarbons and a smoke machine if we need to use that…PM me if you’d like !!

 

Could be a problem in the evap system. Do you notice more smell when you refuel the car?

 

If it were the fuel filter I belive I would be loosing pressure in the fuel system. There appears to be no loss in fuel pressure.

 

I topped off the tanks on Sunday and I can't tell the difference in the odor in the garage on Monday morning.

 

Well Charlie stopped by this afternoon so not much to report...we did a full scan and a couple DTC's present but no EVAP codes (P0442)... the fuel system was pressurized and no visible leaks from the injectors, fuel lines, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump area...he is going to run the tank down to 1/4 tank or less and we will see if the smell returns after sitting overnight...as far as an EVAP leak the P0442 DTC will set for a leak as small as .040 inches...there may be a leak smaller than this that the code will not set for but maybe you can smell the fumes from it...I was planning on doing a purge/seal with my scan tool drawing the EVAP system into a slight vacuum and seeing if the vacuum decays over a few minutes signifying a possible leak but I don't see this purge/seal test for his 1997. Instead I think I will pressurize the EVAP system to between 15-30 inches of water (1/2 to 1 psi of NITROGEN) instead and use a Kent Moore ultrasonic leak detector I just ordered from EBay which is the GM factory tool...one can't have enough diagnostic equipment...LOL !!...the car's Bank 2 Sensor 2 was really low at 120 Mv (Threshold for a DTC is 80 Mv or less)...it will normally read around a steady 700 Mv...the upstream was OK...an exhaust leak between the front and rear O2 will cause the rear sensor to read lean like this and when I got underneath the CAT welds were pretty bad...Charlie said he had the CATS welded in at one point...I'll use the Shop Vac and blow air into the exhaust system and use some soapy water or try the ultrasonic tester when it arrives on those welds...that's all for now !!

 

I can't thank Rob enough for his time and expertise. This guy is over the top good. I'm sure he'll maintain his 100% trouble shooting sucess in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks again.