fuel smell?

[robertoduh]

Well about three weeks ago, I was driving a friend home when i noticed that the car started to smell like gas. I pulled over and popped the hood and the smell was the strongest around the driver side door and near the master brake cylinder, which was also making noise, which sounds kind of like a vibrating pitch fork, which fades in and out. It only makes the noise after the car is shut off.

After about two weeks, it came back again, but now it happens every time I drive the car. I dont wanna take it to the dealer, because i am very low on money.

Whats the cause of this problem and how can i fix it.

Im thinking maybe because of the Vegas heat, since it gets up to 110 out here in the summer, and i have the A/C on all the time. But i dont know.

[djb2]

Several weeks ago I encountered a similar problem.

The problem turned out to be a pin-hole leak in the fuel filter that was completely invisible when the system wasn't pressurized. When the car was running, it sprayed a fine mist that was hard to localize.

The fuel filter had been replaced in the distant past, as evidenced by the lack of Toyota logos. My guess is that the alcohol in modern fuel caused corrosion from the inside of the filter. (Yet another reason to hate E10.)

A new filter cost about $20 from Kragen -- less than the cost of the gas lost. An additional way of telling this was an replacement filter was that it wasn't especially difficult to loosen the bottom fitting -- it's reportedly very difficult to loosen from the factory filter.

I was unable to find a fuel filter not made in China. If you have a choice, spend the extra $2 to get a filter with a new mounting bracket -- it will save a little hassle with the awkward screw position. Better, order a filter online and pay only about $10 instead of $20 at the local I-need-it-now store.

[ross1]

Originally Posted by djb2

Several weeks ago I encountered a similar problem.

The problem turned out to be a pin-hole leak in the fuel filter that was completely invisible when the system wasn't pressurized. When the car was running, it sprayed a fine mist that was hard to localize.

The fuel filter had been replaced in the distant past, as evidenced by the lack of Toyota logos. My guess is that the alcohol in modern fuel caused corrosion from the inside of the filter. (Yet another reason to hate E10.)

A new filter cost about $20 from Kragen -- less than the cost of the gas lost. An additional way of telling this was an replacement filter was that it wasn't especially difficult to loosen the bottom fitting -- it's reportedly very difficult to loosen from the factory filter.

I was unable to find a fuel filter not made in China. If you have a choice, spend the extra $2 to get a filter with a new mounting bracket -- it will save a little hassle with the awkward screw position. Better, order a filter online and pay only about $10 instead of $20 at the local I-need-it-now store.

Actually E10 will help disperse water in the fuel. The media in the filters will retain water though.
One more reason to change them even if not clogged.