Anyone experienced a gas odor around his car even with no sign of leakage? Have a 4.2, 2003 and wondering if I might have such a small leak that it is evaporating. Don't smell it so much while driving or in the car, but definitely noticeabe when approaching the car outside. Occurs whether recently filled up or not. No leakage at gas cap. Had a check engine light come on recently as well. May be an issue with the exhaust sensor (environmental gizmo?)?
Any thoughts?

 

If you look at the tank you will notice 4 small evap lines going into the tank, each of the 4 nipples on the tank has a metal sleeve inside the nipple. After about 70k miles or so its becoming common that the metal sleeve falls out of the nipple and it starts to bend due to pressure and eventually break off causing a leak and possibly an evap fault code. The only cure for this is a new gas tank, The gas tank should be covered under 80k emmisions warranty, i suggest everyone to check their tank for this as it applies to all engines: 2.8, 2.7, 3.0 and 4.2 quattro models.

 

thanks. it did set off the emmisions code. Have it a a reliable dealer now. I had a 50K factory warranty. Is there really an 80K emissions warranty? Never heard of such (not that that is relevant). Otherwise, my guess is that this is an expensive repair.

 

hey, i have a similar problem, but a little different, when my friend was doing an audio instals of a sub and amp in the car, he accidently drilled through the gas tank for a ground wire. its a hole thats only 2mm wide. i tried covering it up temp. but sometimes i get a big wiff of gas here and there. Any recommendations of plugging that hole? i really don't have the money to replace that gas tank.

 

the stuff they use to seal the windshield that black stuff you cant get off your hands