Intermitant gas smell, leak!?

[Silent Runner]

This is a bit of a strange problem: It's happenend three times now, that I have started my car from fully cooled down condition, let it idle for a few seconds, and then had a very strong smell of gasoline start blowing through the air vents. I hop out quickly and find a small puddle of gas, under the car, just behind the passenger side, front wheel. I then throw up the hood (car still running), and can find no leak, but still a strong smell of gas. Take it out and drive it for a bit, and the smell fades. Park it for awhile, no puddle, no smell, for at least a couple of days! I can't find any gas lines leaking, what the.. could this be?

[JohnGD]

What area under the car? Closer to the fuel rail or fuel filter for example. Have you check the injector areas and their grommets?

[Silent Runner]

It appears to drip down onto the passenger side frame rail, over top of what I think is a transmission cooler line, just behind the passenger side, front tire. A couple of checks on the top of the engine, while I'm smelling gas, show no signs of leaks around the injectors, or cold start injector. Its all dry, up top. I also haven't been able to find any sign of a leak around the area of the filter, with the car running, but the pooling appears to happen when the car is parked long enough to cool down.

[importcar]

I smell gas on startup as well. I haven't checked where the leak is (if there is a leak) but no puddle on the ground like your car.

[Silent Runner]

I know I'm reaching, but has anyone heard of a pressure regulator showing problems on occasion or full time, and forcing a leak in the fuel system? Darn thing has only happened when the car has been in places with limited light, and I have never been able to inspect all parts of the fuel delivery quickly! When I can look, its all dry.