Diesel smell in car?

[bobryan]

Well like the title says whenever i get in my car i get a strong smell of diesel. I just bought this car so im wondering is this normal or do i have a leek in my exhaust and a hole in my floor? I used the search and never found anything so thanks in advance.

[FWD.MOTION]

cabin filter? do we have these in the rabbit? If infact your talking about a mk1 rabbit

[FWD.MOTION]

where do you live and what do you drive>?

[gigaz2]

you can have a leak on the seal of the tank, where the fuel sender goes.
is the smell more intense on the back seat?

[bobryan]

Opps sorry i have a 1991 Diesel Jetta, I live in Canada, Alberta i dont think the smell is stronger in the back seat but i will check that out. THanks

[Vincent Waldon]

Usually a diesel smell in the cabin is coming from under the hood... leaking injectors, injection return lines, the injection pump itself.

Pressure-washing the engine often helps make leaks more visible.

[jtanguay]

hopefully it is just a fuel return hose.  

now when you say diesel, does it smell like exhaust or actual diesel fuel?  maybe the exhaust flange seal is bad and needs changing?  i had an exhaust leak and it would smell like diesel when cold & make me tired  :shock:  :lol: diesel is quite poisonous...

[bobryan]

Well i checked it out and it smells more like diesel fuel and its alot stronger in the trunk so i guess it must have something to do with my fuel tank or gasket?

[Dakotakid]

I paid $14 (USA) for the gasket last summer.
Have patience twisting the gas tank lid counterclockwise to open it. You can lightly tap it with a long bolt or rod or blunt screwdriver to initiate the turn (like a jar lid). Failure to have patience will allow you the chance to purchase a new lid (after it cracks).

There is a vent system on the tank with additional hoses which usually does not come loose. You would have to remove the tank to inspect that.

[bobryan]

Is there a manual online showing how to do this or is it fairly strait forward will i need to take the tank out to replace that gasket?

[Dakotakid]

I am not aware of an on-line source.

In the trunk, under the carpet and padding...on the front-ish, passenger side of the cargo area, you will find a flat, round piece of black tin.

This is the cover for your access to the fuel tank cap/top. 3 phillips screws to loosen and then gently pry the cover up and off.

Once you get this cap off, inspect the clamps on the two lines as one of them may be loose and this is where the leak could be.

Edit: (I find it easiest to cut off the two clamps with cutters and pinch the electrical with your fingers and pull it off. You can replace with two new clamps when finished.

Oh, also, there is a little check valve or something on one of the lines there. It is very easy to break it/pull it apart if you have a difficult time removing the line from the fuel sender unit.)

If you have a shop vacuum, NOW is the time to have it handy! There will be dirt and maybe a few dead mice there!!!! Once you clean this up, you will see your two lines (in and out) of the tank and then the screw cap which unscrews like the lid on a peanut butter jar (only harder as it has probably been on for awhile and getting it to move initally, will be a bit tough).This is where you have to be patient and go with what I wrote up above in the earlier post.

The gasket might be sort of very soft as it has broken down due to fuel exposure over the years. Pay attention to how it comes out as you lift the fuel sending unit out of the tank.

Have some rags there to catch the spilling fuel. Put it back together as you found it.

Oh yes, to do this the tank stays where it is and you stay fairly clean! the emptier the tank...the easier and a bit cleaner.

[bobryan]

Great write up thats was very helpful thanks alot! Ill be taking that apart in the next few days