2002 L Wagon fuel odor

[Noeleon]

I've started noticing a fuel smell outside after I park. Where should I look. (No leaks under the car, gas mileage is normal)

[2002LW200]

I have a 2002 lw200 and had the same problem. Its the fuel pump and it need to be replaced. Sorry to say but the new pump will be about $275 and then you add labor. I paid a total of $450 for the complete job.

[kknobl]

Originally Posted by 2002LW200

I have a 2002 lw200 and had the same problem. Its the fuel pump and it need to be replaced. Sorry to say but the new pump will be about $275 and then you add labor. I paid a total of $450 for the complete job.

I had my 03 L300 looked at today for a similar issue...

They told me that I needed to have not only the fuel pump replaced, but the entire fuel tank as well. With the tank, I'm looking I'm at $1100 repair job...

Is there a reason the tank would need to be replaced? I realize they have to drop it to get to the fuel pump, but an entirely new fuel tank???? Just doesn't seem right...

[jezmez68]

Great. My wife has mentioned this as well as the following issues with our LW200:

Windshield wiper blades do not return to the lowest position.

Biggest issue is that the car red-lines when you push down the gas pedal...there is no "get up and go". You kind of have to let up off the gas to get it to shift.

2002 model with about 80K on it. It's really a shame. We traded in my wife's SC-1 when we had our first child for this. I drove a SW-2 for 13 years and I hear it's still being driven.

Are Saturn service centers still open?

[radioouman]

You really should look around under the car to see if something obvious is wrong. I had a vent line going from the filler neck to the tank that was rusted through. I pulled down the heat shield on the back side of the tank and replaced that rusted line with a $5 brake line from NAPA. (30" long 5/16" diameter.) I cut the vent line at the 90 degree bend where it goes up to the fuel filler neck and used a piece of 11/32 fuel line to connect the two tubes. Three hose clamps later it was done...

I completely believe that one of the rubber lines around the fuel tank could have gone bad, but it is worth checking the lines near the fuel filler neck too. (Might want to remove the rear wheel on the passenger side, remove the splash shield and check out the vent solenoid and tubes at the same time.)

[Ex-GMtech]

Originally Posted by radioouman

You really should look around under the car to see if something obvious is wrong. I had a vent line going from the filler neck to the tank that was rusted through. I pulled down the heat shield on the back side of the tank and replaced that rusted line with a $5 brake line from NAPA. (30" long 5/16" diameter.) I cut the vent line at the 90 degree bend where it goes up to the fuel filler neck and used a piece of 11/32 fuel line to connect the two tubes. Three hose clamps later it was done...

I completely believe that one of the rubber lines around the fuel tank could have gone bad, but it is worth checking the lines near the fuel filler neck too. (Might want to remove the rear wheel on the passenger side, remove the splash shield and check out the vent solenoid and tubes at the same time.)

Definitely check this. My wifes car is in the same boat. I'm gonna look at the Saab 9-5 wagon for replacement pieces. I need the whole thing, not just the vent line, unfortunately.

[Jo-Bolt]

Noticed the same issue with mine. Jacked up the car, clean, clean, no signs of gas leakage from the fuel filter all the way up into the injectors. Stills smells, like gas after you shut the engine down and within a few minutes its gone.
Totally lost on this one, any ideas. I have a hard time believing its the fuel pump, if its bad, it would not work and if it's inside the tank and sealed?

[Jo-Bolt]

Anyone recommend a good Saturn Mechanic in the San Diego Area?
Need to find someone to fix this fuel Smell. Darn thing is not leaking gas/fuel no where, i had the car up in the air a dozen of times, no signs of gas leaking, just smells like gas fumes. Any help would be appreciated. Cheers

[fdryer]

It only takes one drop of gasoline to smell up the entire car. A small leak anywhere that's not visible just makes it harder to find. A crack in the nylon fuel line fitting on top of the fuel tank would be one example of an inaccessible place for a leak yet not affect the engine. And no visible evidence since its hidden. There are many lines on top of the fuel tank, all hidden from view.

If possible, can you isolate the smell? Is it coming from the front engine side or rear tank side? You may have to park the car outside on a windless day and either park the car overnight, wait for a windless day to turn on the ignition and smell the car for fuel leaks. Without the engine running, you can cycle the ignition ON many times; each initial cycle will have the pcm run the fuel pump for 2-3 seconds then shut off, enough to pressurize the lines. If a leak exists then the pressure should be forcing fuel out the leak and evaporate giving off the smell.

A fuel pressure gauge may help as it can verify a leak. All pressurized fuel injection system retain pressure for several hours so once a fuel pump cycles at ignition ON time, pressure should remain between 40-60 psi for several minutes. Any drop in pressure right after turning on the ignition system indicates possible a fuel pressure regulator failure, a fuel line, injector leak, etc..

[Frostman]

Well just to throw this in there as well. 02 LW200 and I am having slight fuel odors as well as a P0440 code. Sounds like the vent lines don't last over 10 years on these cars. Also worth mentioning, also strongly believe my tank straps are coming loose and/or heat shield issues.

[Jo-Bolt]

Ok, finally dropped the fuel tank, somewhat wet with fuel on top but couldn't tell where the leak is coming from. Looks like around the fuel pump. Anyway, removed the fuel pump, looking at the O-Ring, reinstalled it and decided to change out both plastic fuel lines that go into the fuel pump. Tank back up.
Runs good, shut it down and it now pours fuel out of the top. The down side is that you can't really see the top of the tank to see where the leak is until you drop it completely. Anyone have any ideas to the cause? Again, no fuel leak until the car is stuff off and it seems to pour from the top of the tank.

[Jo-Bolt]

Ok, dropped the tank again, and after thinking about this, this is how to check for leaks in and around the gas tank after it is on the ground. Connect a rubber hose from the outlet side of the fuel filter to the other line that comes from the fuel pump and goes down to the front of the gas tank almost next to the fuel filter. Now, unhook the elec connectors from the chassis and hook both of them up back onto the fuel pump. Now turn the key on and this starts the pump going and pressure builds inside the tank, lines, etc. Now you can see where the leak is coming from. Mine was a small crack in the plastic tube outlet, can't see it without pressure, add pressure and clear as day. Anyway, both a new pump from Pep Boys $319 installed and no leaks. Hope this helps others out.

[born again]

Originally Posted by Frostman

Well just to throw this in there as well. 02 LW200 and I am having slight fuel odors as well as a P0440 code. Sounds like the vent lines don't last over 10 years on these cars. Also worth mentioning, also strongly believe my tank straps are coming loose and/or heat shield issues.

P0440 is likely caused by corrosion perforation of the 5/16" steel tube vent line parallel to the fuel filler tube. It is worst at the point it is welded to the tab that bolts to the chassis. Some have just put in a piece of rubber hose and some hose clamps to fix this. I chose to replace it with a used part from www.fillernecksupply.com

BTW - Queensway quoted me about C$320 for the new part.

[Frostman]

born, I noticed when I bought the car that the tube you mentioned was in poor shape. A quick guess as to what it's called?