HELP: Fuel odor because I'm a moron??? Or gas leak.
 

Last Fall I inadvertently dumped fuel stabilizer down the edges of the gas receptacle of my car. I used the small bottle with long neck and I thought I was dumping it in but apparently it ran down into the body. Now that I finally have car out of storage, the odor of the stabilizer is wicked. It must have sat all winter. Probably pooled in a pocket somewhere. I've driven it now a bunch of times and a few hundred miles and it won't go away. NO leaks or drips either. Any suggestions?????? Will it evaporate once it gets hot? Smell is hard to handle now.
OR is there a gas leak??? Any known issues with C7's????

My fuel sending unit, mounted on top of the fuel tank, was the source of my fuel leak. It had to be replaced and in order to do this the entire rear end of the car had to be removed and both fuel tanks dropped. I hope this is not your problem. Good luck.:cheers:

Did you have a strong gas smell? Or any leaks?

Never saw any fuel but had a very strong gas smell. Diagnosis took 3 trips to the dealer.

I would think any spilled stabile would have disappaited by now. Would take it into the dealer and let them troubleshoot the cause. No need to speculate with the dealer and let them source it from stratch. Hopefully under warrranty.

Sorry OP, I don't have advice on finding the source of the odor beyond what others have posted. However....

FYI.. there's been posts about some fuel additives being harmful to the fuel system. I don't personally have info on this, just passing on that there has been chatter about it. GM's statement on this is (from the 2015 owner's manual)

Fuel Additives To keep fuel systems clean, TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is recommended. See Fuel on page 9-53. If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is not available, one bottle of Fuel System Treatment PLUS added to the fuel tank at every engine oil change, can help. Fuel System Treatment PLUS is the only gasoline additive recommended by General Motors. It is available at your dealer. (of course) :rofl:

just sayin, in case you hadn't heard about this. I'd also suggest using the fuel funnel that came with the car to help when adding anything to the fuel system.

^^^^^
In the 2014 Owner's Manual it showed the GM part number for that fuel additive (Fuel System Treatment PLUS, part number 88861013) but it is no longer the part number. Can you find out what the new part number is as it is NOT in the 2017 Owner's Manual?

You probably can not verify that it is the same as Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus Fuel System Cleaner that is in the same shape bottle, has a similar MSDS but costs ~30% less! Since Chevron holds the patent assume it's just relabeled. Have been using the GM product for my 2014 (as recommended at each oil change) to help keep injectors clean and dissolve possible sulfur deposits from the fuel level sensor. In fact a forum poster said a dealer solved their fuel sensor failure by using two bottles of the GM product.)

When I first got my C7 I did the same thing not knowing you needed to use the funnel. It poured a bunch on the floor of the garage. I have never noticed any smell inside the car either right away or later. You may have another issue unfortunately.

If using a top tier fuel, I would be more concerned about deposits on the intake valves than the high pressure injectors.:yesnod:

I have only used Sunoco high test from same place. maybe 4 or 5 tanks. I only have 1300 miles.

Since there is NO gas passing over the intake valves in a DI engine I agree I am concerned about baked on oil residue on the back of the valves. Unfortunately unlike my C6 with port injection where Top Tier helped that situation it can do noting to help intake valve coking!

I have added a catch can that helps by catching some of the "stuff" that comes into the intake manifold from the crackcase. But Top Tier (and a can of Techron) can help deposits in the injectors and can help dissolve sulfur on the fuel sender etc, that is in all gas and to some degree in Top Tier as well. Top Tier just assures a minimum of Chevron's patented cleaning additive is in the gas.

Ok. Now I do see a gas leak on the ground, right in front of drivers side rear wheel, below left tank area. Now at least I can tell the dealer!!

From the owner's manual. This says gas can, but it really applies to anything other than a fuel pump nozzle.

They found it. My 16 with 1400 miles is in with a fuel leak from around the left tank area and connecting tube to second tank. A week it will be in the shop! Part coming by Tuesday from Michigan and a 2.day job. Have to take the sub frame and transmission out to get to it. I'm praying they do this right with no screw ups. Unbelievable.

TEECEE, this sounds very similar to my experience. I went to see my car when it was disassembled. It was a real eye opener. I took a couple pictures that I posted in an earlier thread. Fortunately, my dealer did a great job and you would never know my car was taken apart. My car was in the shop for over a month but much of this time was waiting for parts. While they had it disassembled they also replaced my Torque Converter. Good luck with your repair. Hopefully it will a turn out fine.:cheers:

Thank you. Fingers crossed that I will never know this was done!!!

Where is the capless funnel adapter

^^^
Mine was in the trunk in a plastic bag.

Good news!

BTW....If the fuel odor doesn't dissipate, you can always rent an ozone machine for a day. I used one, when a friend split a cup of coffee in my car (not my C7). The odor was really awful after a few days. The ozone machine removed it, and left a slight chemical smell. However, it went away after a week or so.