1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

fuel smell after filling

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by andrewag, May 24, 2010.

  1. andrewag

    andrewag New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi

    I bought a second hand 2006 Prius last november and I absolutely love it - cheaper fill-ups, cheaper insurance. I've recently got the screen thing saying 4.5l/100km which I'm super impressed by.

    Anyway, I clicked on all of the links the subject thingy suggested before starting this thread. Here's my story:

    * When I fill up I can smell fuel outside and in the cabin
    * The smell disappears as the tank gets emptier
    * There is no warning light

    * The first time, the pump didn't shut off. No fuel spilled and a couple of litres too much went in
    * I couldn't see it leaking anywhere
    * I've tried multiple different pumps at different stations, none click off

    I've resorted to putting a conservative amount in. Because I visit the petrol station so infrequently now (every two weeks) it's been going on for a few months now as I try and logically work out what the problem is.

    Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!!
     
    #1 andrewag, May 24, 2010
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,074
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    If none of the pumps click off, then the fuel must not be filling all the way back up to the auto shut-off sensor. If it isn't doing this, it must be going somewhere else. If you don't see it dripping from the car, that must mean excess fuel is leaking into the body.

    On the other hand, one would expect to see an error code if the fuel system has a leak.

    Keep in mind that the Australian 2006 has a different fuel system than the one used in the N.A. Gen II models. Most of the members of this board are from N.A., so it will be harder for us to help.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, May 24, 2010
  3. PaulHS

    PaulHS Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
    200
    19
    3
    Location:
    SE PA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    #3 PaulHS, May 24, 2010
  4. halpos4

    halpos4 "Taxi"!

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2008
    377
    24
    5
    Location:
    Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I believe Australian and European models have similar fuel tanks,
    May i suggest that the next time you fill the tank[to full]and you still smell fuel outside the car,get down on your hands and knees at the rear of the car and see if you can see fuel dripping on the ground,if so it may be the seal for the access panel to the fuel tank that's underneath the rear seats,i had a similar problem a few years back when the access panel was removed but was put back without a new seal,i pulled up the rear seat myself and saw excess fuel around that panel.....new seal..no probs.
     
    #4 halpos4, May 24, 2010
  5. andrewag

    andrewag New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    thanks for the tips, guys!
     
    #5 andrewag, May 27, 2010
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,038
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    In any case it can't be normal and may be a serious fire hazard. Get thee to a dealer as soon as possible.
     
    #6 richard schumacher, May 27, 2010
  7. halpos4

    halpos4 "Taxi"!

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2008
    377
    24
    5
    Location:
    Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Let us know if you discover what the problem/solution to your problem is and post it,i've seen over the couple of years i've been loitering around here that people ask for help and then don't come back with updates....i'm not saying for one minute that you would do that!!lol
     
    #7 halpos4, May 28, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)