• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Engine Gas smell in cabin, car died on highway.

  • Thread starter Thread starter 91GTstroked
  • Start date Start date Apr 27, 2020

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 27, 2020
#1
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #1
Just like the title says. My car always seems to have a strong gas smell. Basically if I have it running, and I'm by the engine or around the car I smell like fuel.

This morning I went for a drive on the highway, I can smell gas in the cabin. Also I had a loss of power, car started running rough, then died on me.

I pulled off to the side, let it sit for 10-15 seconds and it started back up. Made it back (about 10 miles) without it happening again.

Last summer I replaced the fpr, timing is set at 13 degrees. I have a o/r h pipe, smog and egr are deleted.

I just ran codes:

KOEO:
10, 15, 33.

KOER:
Says only 6 cylinders
94, 44, 33, 13.

I'm lost what I should look into now, but I don't trust driving it far from home now.

Any help is appreciated.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,957
10,600
203
polk county florida
Apr 27, 2020
#2
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #2
Check the purge canister, the vacuum line may have come off or rotted. Also look at the fuel injectors, they may be leaking.
 
Reactions: 7991LXnSHO

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 27, 2020
#3
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #3
General karthief said:
Check the purge canister, the vacuum line may have come off or rotted. Also look at the fuel injectors, they may be leaking.
Click to expand...
Thanks I was going to check that. Do the canisters go bad? How do I check injectors?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,957
10,600
203
polk county florida
Apr 27, 2020
#4
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #4
The canisters rarely go bad, it's the hoses that get soft and fall apart.
The injectors leaking will be obvious.
 

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 27, 2020
#5
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #5
General karthief said:
The canisters rarely go bad, it's the hoses that get soft and fall apart.
The injectors leaking will be obvious.
Click to expand...
Thanks I'll check it out. So injectors being obvious? Pull plugs see if they have fuel on them?
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Apr 27, 2020
#6
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #6
The missing cats will not help the fuel smell. That’s not your only problem with the codes and strength of the smell. What other smog stuff is missing?
I suspect the fuel filter is an issue in addition to the codes. One that cannot flow enough would explain the stop, wait and go.
Do you ever see any fuel puddles or any fuel along the lies from the tank to the injectors? How is the vent line from the charcoal canister to the tank?
Jrichker probably has a better list, but check your codes against this list. https://www.foxstang.com/reading-mustang-trouble-codes-eec/
 
Reactions: 91GTstroked

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,957
10,600
203
polk county florida
Apr 27, 2020
#7
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #7
91GTstroked said:
Thanks I'll check it out. So injectors being obvious? Pull plugs see if they have fuel on them?
Click to expand...
Fuel puddles or staining on the intake in the injector area.
 
Reactions: 91GTstroked

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 27, 2020
#8
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #8
7991LXnSHO said:
The missing cats will not help the fuel smell. That’s not your only problem with the codes and strength of the smell. What other smog stuff is missing?
I suspect the fuel filter is an issue in addition to the codes. One that cannot flow enough would explain the stop, wait and go.
Do you ever see any fuel puddles or any fuel along the lies from the tank to the injectors? How is the vent line from the charcoal canister to the tank?
Jrichker probably has a better list, but check your codes against this list. https://www.foxstang.com/reading-mustang-trouble-codes-eec/
Click to expand...
I replaced the fuel filter last year. I don't see any fuel puddles anywhere. I just looked at the charcoal canister. Last year I pulled the line off at the intake and it had a cap on it. So I took the cap off and then put the hose back on.

But now I see the other line isn't hooked up to anything. I'm wondering if it was deleted. The EGR is also off the car.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200427_191528142.webp
    146.2 KB · Views: 221

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,957
10,600
203
polk county florida
Apr 27, 2020
#9
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #9
There is no plastic line coming over the top of the shock tower?
 

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 27, 2020
#10
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #10
General karthief said:
There is no plastic line coming over the top of the shock tower?
Click to expand...
I didn't see one.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,957
10,600
203
polk county florida
Apr 27, 2020
#11
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #11
You are probably missing the vent tube line from the gas tank, you kinda need that.
 

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 27, 2020
#12
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #12
General karthief said:
You are probably missing the vent tube line from the gas tank, you kinda need that.
Click to expand...
There seems to be some hard plastic lines in the inner fender area that are not hooked up.

Many years ago I think I removed that whole evap on my old car. I'm starting to think it's not hooked up at all. Wondering what I should do.

Maybe, cap that hose off again going to the intake.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,957
10,600
203
polk county florida
Apr 27, 2020
#13
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #13
Why not hook it up correctly?
Find the vent line from the fuel tank and attach it it the purge canister.
 
Reactions: Mstng93SSP

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 27, 2020
#14
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #14
General karthief said:
Why not hook it up correctly?
Find the vent line from the fuel tank and attach it it the purge canister.
Click to expand...
I'll have to check everything out. I'd assume it still goes back to the tank. Don't think I can get to it without lowering tank.
 
Reactions: General karthief

Rdub6

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues
5 Year Member
Dec 29, 2017
3,956
2,937
153
Long Island, NY
Apr 27, 2020
#15
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #15
91GTstroked said:
I'll have to check everything out. I'd assume it still goes back to the tank. Don't think I can get to it without lowering tank.
Click to expand...

There is a hard to line under the car. Toward front of pass floor pan, the plastic line connects to the steel line and runs to the canister.
In the back, the steel line stops and then there is a about a 12-18” rubber hose that connects to vapor valve. You may be able to reach up and connect without dropping tank.

Im in the middle of refurbishing my tank and lines, so this is all fresh in my mind.
 
Reactions: 91GTstroked and General karthief

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,957
10,600
203
polk county florida
Apr 27, 2020
#16
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #16
It would also be a good time to check the filler neck grommet and the seal for the filler neck to body too.
 
Reactions: 91GTstroked

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 27, 2020
#17
  • Apr 27, 2020
  • #17
Rdub6 said:
There is a hard to line under the car. Toward front of pass floor pan, the plastic line connects to the steel line and runs to the canister.
In the back, the steel line stops and then there is a about a 12-18” rubber hose that connects to vapor valve. You may be able to reach up and connect without dropping tank.

Im in the middle of refurbishing my tank and lines, so this is all fresh in my mind.
Click to expand...

I think I found the line in the fender. Installing it on some new hose.

Tomorrow I'm also replacing the injector harness I've been needing to do.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200427_214925449.webp
    171.8 KB · Views: 205
Reactions: General karthief

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 28, 2020
#18
  • Apr 28, 2020
  • #18
Got a lot of work done today. I have the charcoal canister all hooked up, swapped out injector harness, and installed two more gauges.

Now I can monitor vacuum and fuel pressure while driving.

Its been raining today, so can't drive it until Friday. Car seems to run good at idle.

Thanks for the help everyone!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200428_192608626.webp
    231.9 KB · Views: 205
Reactions: General karthief, Monkeybutt2000 and Rdub6

Foxslider

im not that much of a idiot
Oct 25, 2019
543
156
53
39
Houston, TX
Apr 28, 2020
#19
  • Apr 28, 2020
  • #19
Id change the fuel pump if its old. $100 @ oreillys. Check plugs/change plugs. Inspect spark plug wires. Not sure about the gas smell. Mine did that when i tried to top it off one time. Smelt like gas in cabin.
 

91GTstroked

15 Year Member
Jun 14, 2007
504
282
93
Apr 28, 2020
#20
  • Apr 28, 2020
  • #20
Foxslider said:
Id change the fuel pump if its old. $100 @ oreillys. Check plugs/change plugs. Inspect spark plug wires. Not sure about the gas smell. Mine did that when i tried to top it off one time. Smelt like gas in cabin.
Click to expand...
I have a walbro 255 lph pump I could install. Changed plugs, wires, cap and rotor last summer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

2
Running very very rich
  • 2esoteric
  • Oct 31, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
358
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
Noobz347
Engine Gas in my oil
  • limp
  • Jun 15, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
35
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 16, 2026
Mindseye007
Engine 87 NA - Tune or no Tune needed?
  • R82148V
  • Sep 17, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
380
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 17, 2025
R82148V
A
2001 Mustang GT, scorched metal smell and noise from trans/diff?
  • AndyE2255
  • Dec 1, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
472
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 28, 2025
gkomo
9
Electrical F150 ECU in a Foxbody? Idle surge help
  • 93royalblue
  • Sep 10, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
438
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 17, 2025
Mustang5L5
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?