Gas smell

Hnat · Post by **Hnat** » 28 Apr 2009, 08:18

I'm new to this site.
I drive a 1997 Volvo 850 wagon, 5 speed. When driving with the windows open, a strong gas/catalytic converter smell comes in. I close the windows to block it out. When I park the car (with windows closed) and re-enter some time later, the same smell is inside the car. My mechanic, who repairs only foreign cars (but not a Volvo specialist) has done everything he can to locate the problem. His computers indicate no problems.
Has anyone had this problem? Any ideas? Can catalytic converters(if this is indeed the problem) go bad?

Hnat

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 28 Apr 2009, 09:00

Hnat, can you describe the smell?

If you smell gas, then you probably have a leak somewhere in fuel delivery between the tank and the fuel injectors.

If you smell exhaust, then it's somewhere beyond the engine/exhaust manifold.

It is possible for a cat to go bad but I don't think that would explain why you smell exhaust in the cabin unless you had a leak.

Hnat · Post by **Hnat** » 28 Apr 2009, 10:00

Thanks for the response,
It smells a combination of rotten eggs/gas. My guy has used a smoke type method to check for leaks through the exhaust system, seems tight. Would that smell get inside the car though the windows are closed?

Hnat

850 5spd

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 28 Apr 2009, 10:53

Hmmm....just let me acknowledge first of all that I have never experienced this problem. That said, it seems odd that you'd be smelling both gas and exhaust unless you had a significant problem that was manifesting itself in other ways.

How many miles on the car? Does the car start easily? Does the engine run smoothly? Is there smoke coming from the exhaust? Black smoke? White smoke? Is the CEL on? Have you had any recent minor or major work done on the car just prior to having this problem?

Can you smell it in the engine bay while the engine is running? Can you see any visible exhaust or discharge under the hood?

If the windows are up and the air recirculation is off so that outside air comes through the vents - do you get the smell then? Smells from the engine bay can easily come through the fresh air intake into the cabin.

Perhaps if you can provide some of this additional information some of our more experienced folks can offer some suggestions.

Post by **misha** » 28 Apr 2009, 11:09

Hnat wrote:It smells a combination of rotten eggs/gas. Hnat 850 5spd

If you have a rotten egg/gas smell than your car is definittelly running rich!

You must have a black smoke from the exhaust.Check that out!
Is your check engine light on?

Hnat · Post by **Hnat** » 28 Apr 2009, 11:17

The car has 140,000 on it but the smell started probably around 126,000 or so. The engine runs smooth, has a lot of pep. No smoke black or white, and no CEL. No work besides maintenance. With windows up and circ off, just air coming in, no smell. Just when windows down. I'll see if the smell is coming from the engine compartment. I've poked around before and didn't notice anything but will focus more on that.

Post by **misha** » 28 Apr 2009, 16:16

Check black hose and purple vacuum line which is going from sas valve to air pump and controller.One of them,or both,could be melted.

No Car Like An 850r · Post by **No Car Like An 850r** » 01 Oct 2012, 04:43

I also have a similar problem with my 1996 850r Estate. On occasions, and only when I drop the window whilst driving I get a strong smell of petrol inside the car. I have never taken note of the fuel level when it happens. I cannot see any leaks. It is almost as though the pressure change inside the car when opening the window has something to do with it. The car has 220k miles runs like a dream, no smoke or issues. There is no work carried out on the fuel lines or system. Any ideas??

Post by **jblackburn** » 01 Oct 2012, 05:56

No Car Like An 850r wrote:I also have a similar problem with my 1996 850r Estate. On occasions, and only when I drop the window whilst driving I get a strong smell of petrol inside the car. I have never taken note of the fuel level when it happens. I cannot see any leaks. It is almost as though the pressure change inside the car when opening the window has something to do with it. The car has 220k miles runs like a dream, no smoke or issues. There is no work carried out on the fuel lines or system. Any ideas??

Pull down the EVAP canister in the left fender in front of your tire. Check the hoses on top for cracking or leaks.

Post by **kcodyjr** » 01 Oct 2012, 07:48

You know, there is one place where exhaust smells can leak that really isn't detectable - through the air pump, if it has one. If the check valve was bad, and the air pump disengaged, normal exhaust pressure would chase gases backward through the system and out through the pump's intake. That system is nowhere near the cabin air intake, and this would happen primarily with the car moving.

Try this: take the car for a ride, at least 5 minutes, then park it without turning it off. Stick your face over by the battery and take a good whiff. If the smell is strongest in this area, time to pull the pump and check for further evidence - with a bad check valve, the air pump becomes a water pump in the winter. If there's water in the pump, replace the check valve.