Fuel Smell in Cabin

iceb52! · Post by **iceb52!** » 06 May 2005, 21:01

I have a 2000 V70 GLT with 127,000 miles. In the last month, I have noticed a fuel smell inside the car whenever I stop at a red light, etc. When the car is moving, the smell dissipates and you do not notice it. Within a few seconds of stopping, the fuel smell returns. It is fairly strong. My wife complains of it all the time.

The car has been at the dealer the last 2 days. They smell it also, but have been unable to pinpoint the problem. Their best "guess," according to them, is the charcoal cannistier / purge valve related to the gas tank vent. The supposed fix will cost $451.00 dollars.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Are these items hard to replace? I would like to just buy the parts and replace them myself. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Also, by the way, the dealer had my car for two days and did not charge me anything, ZERO. I was shocked, to say the least. I have never left the Volvo dealer service for less than $75.00.

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 07 May 2005, 06:03

As I tell anyone I talk to, NEVER trust the dealer and ALWAYS get a second opinion. It's appalling that the dealer wants to charge you $451 for a $75 part that a brain damaged monkey could install in 10 minutes

. I bet I know what the problem is. If the EVAP valve was bad, you would've had a code (i.e. Check engine light) thrown for it. Open the hood and look over on the passenger side near the front of the car in front of the radiator overflow tank. You should see a black plastic box that has a plastic hose going in the front and an insulated rubber hose coming out of the back near the bottom of the box. Now, the front plastic hose should have a section of kinks about halfway through it. Check those kinks closely. Chances are, they have a hole or holes in them. This hose brings fresh air to the ECU box and then that air also passes through and is introduced into the climate control system, hence the smell in the cabin.

Check this out and let us know what you find. Also, message boards like this one can literally save you tons of money, so feel free to ask any questions you may have

.

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 07 May 2005, 07:04

There is a recall of 94 850s thru 99 s70's for fuel line problems ,but the I don't see anything about the 2000

iceb52! · Post by **iceb52!** » 08 May 2005, 07:37

Thanks for the information.

White850Turbo. Concerning the EVAP valve, I do have a check engine light that comes and goes. It was off when I took it to the dealer, but, of course, it's on again now. Can I buy this valve and is it easy to replace? Thanks again.

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 08 May 2005, 11:49

If you have an Autozone nearby they will read the codes . Thats where to start NOT the dealer.

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 09 May 2005, 05:33

iceb52! wrote:Thanks for the information.

White850Turbo. Concerning the EVAP valve, I do have a check engine light that comes and goes. It was off when I took it to the dealer, but, of course, it's on again now. Can I buy this valve and is it easy to replace? Thanks again.

As Jot said, go to an Autozone or other Auto Parts store and have the code for the check engine light read. If it is indeed for the Evap valve, you can order one from FCP Groton for about $75 IIRC and install it yourself. It is held in a little rubber/plastic bracket on the fan shroud on the driver's side of the car. It's this little valve looking thing that has a hose going in one side and coming out of the other as well as a little electrical connection. You have to take the valve out of the bracket to replace it. It is held in by two size T30 (I think?) torx screws. Shouldn't take any more than 10 minutes even if it's your first time doing it.

Many people, myself included, realize how easy it really is to work on these cars after doing their first couple repairs and how much money you can save by doing the minor to moderate repairs yourself instead of being at the mercy of the dealer.

iceb52! · Post by **iceb52!** » 09 May 2005, 20:40

Thanks White850turbo,

I agree with you on the repairs. I just replaced the front struts a couple of weeks ago. Dealer told me one of the "strut mounts" was bad and was causing a noise in the front end. He wanted $480 to replace just the mounts and something like $950 for new struts, etc. I did it myself with Bilstein struts, new mounts, etc for under $500.00. Learned alot about the car also by doing it myself. Anyway, I am beginning to venture out more in the car repair area since I have so many miles and the value has dropped so much.

Anyway, thanks again.

95autoturbo · Post by **95autoturbo** » 17 May 2005, 20:10

[quote="White850Turbo"]As I tell anyone I talk to, NEVER trust the dealer and ALWAYS get a second opinion. You should see a black plastic box that has a plastic hose going in the front and an insulated rubber hose coming out of the back near the bottom of the box. Now, the front plastic hose should have a section of kinks about halfway through it. Check those kinks closely. Chances are, they have a hole or holes in them. This hose brings fresh air to the ECU box and then that air also passes through and is introduced into the climate control system, hence the smell in the cabin.

Yep another good call by Mr.White! Checked mine, and ditto same faulty hose cracks- I used some 3m rubber electrical tape(thick and stretches) to cover the three grooved cracks I found on mine, then went over it with some scotch nascar quality duct tape to seal it off! Better than just having a hole!

iceb52! · Post by **iceb52!** » 18 May 2005, 05:48

Thanks

I finally had my codes read at Autozone. Bad 02 sensor before the catalytic converter. Any chance this could lead to the fuel smell? I have the part on order from autozone (Bosch part) and will replace it this weekend.