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petrol smell
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:41 pm
by pantechnicon
I have had an ongoing petrol smell on my bongo petrol automatic for some time. I have had the neck hose replaced & following the helpful support from a member who supplied me with a copy of the fuel system had the fuel links checked by a garage who I have had full confidence in. Alas, I still get a persistent smell at certain times which I have noticed lately seems to occur when the weather is cold. (My imagination ?)My garage are giving me old fashioned looks when I still mention it but I know for certain there is distinct whiff of petrol which comes & goes very quickly. I have tried locating the smell but this is not as simple as it seems. Firstly the smell can be noticed in the vehicle. Also it certainly seems to smell outside the vehicle around the side but exactly where I don't know. The smell cerainly does not persist which makes location more difficult !
Has anyone got any suggestions ? I am at a loss to know where to start, possessing little or no technical ability !
The garage insist it is safe but my instinct says a petrol smell is a petrol smell.
I am dead proud of my Bongo but would dearly love to get the problem sorted !
Julian Shore
Re: petrol smell
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:15 pm
by helen&tony
Hi Julian
Let's rule out the easiest first...Petrol will always niff a bit more at extremes of temperature..., so which side is it smelling...If it's the driver's side, it may be that you are getting a bit of fuel tank pressurising...does it hiss when you remove the petrol cap???
Cheers
Helen
Re: petrol smell
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:47 pm
by Northern Bongolow
check item 42-720 on here, they may be sticking open. this is v6. 2ltr may be similar.
http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... o=.html#25
Re: petrol smell
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 8:53 pm
by Simon Jones
2.0 or 2.5 V6? The V6 has a carbon canister which is all part of the fume control system and is located under the passenger seat. It's the round cylinder at the bottom of this picture. Have a check around all the hoses in case any are split or come loose.

Re: petrol smell
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 7:51 pm
by pantechnicon
In response to your helpful suggestions I have checked the carbon canister of the fume control system & cannot see any signs of loose connections but will reinspect for possible hose splits. I am not sure how to inspect item SB 42 - 720 but will have another go locating it.
As regards opening the petrol cap after a drive Helen, I cannot notice any discernable escape of pressure as you would expect. To confirm, the smell appears to come from the petrol filler (driver) side. If this is significant what actually might this mean ? Does this mean escape of petrol fumes are escaping elsewhere when a build up takes place in colder conditions ?
Thanks again
Julian
Re: petrol smell
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 7:51 pm
by pantechnicon
In response to your helpful suggestions I have checked the carbon canister of the fume control system & cannot see any signs of loose connections but will reinspect for possible hose splits. I am not sure how to inspect item SB 42 - 720 but will have another go locating it.
As regards opening the petrol cap after a drive Helen, I cannot notice any discernable escape of pressure as you would expect. To confirm, the smell appears to come from the petrol filler (driver) side. If this is significant what actually might this mean ? Does this mean escape of petrol fumes are escaping elsewhere when a build up takes place in colder conditions ?
Thanks again
Julian
Re: petrol smell
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 8:41 pm
by mikeWalsall
Dunno if it's relevant to the Bongo .. but I have a Toyota Estima .. being a galvanised body thay do not suffer the same rust problems as the Bongo ..
Running on LPG and not using much petrol .. I also noticed petrol smell on mine, and found the .. none galvanised steel .. filler pipe completely rotted through..

Re: petrol smell
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 10:59 am
by helen&tony
Hi
Julian
There may be a tank vent near the petrol filler , so it MIGHT be fumes from that...I say MIGHT ?
Strangely, I often get a whiff of vapour in the colder weather...it just seems to sharpen up the jolly ol' sniffer when it's cold!!!!!
Cheers
Helen