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Fuel smell in car and outside

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Old 05-25-2015, 10:14 AM
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etkms
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Default Fuel smell in car and outside

I have an 04 coupe, took me about took me over a year to build it how I want now its been a dedicated track car and soon to race. The car is fully race prepped and stripped. However a few months back, I noticed when the car was in my garage i smelt a faint fuel smell, after sniffing around like a dog, i found it was from the rear passenger side area. Although not the smartest move, I did about 7 other events like that, still never smelt much more then the faint smell while parked. However this weekend I was at Sebring, and later in the day when driving I noticed a fuel smell inside the car (don't worry windows open). I was done with my session and then sniffed around the car and again, it was coming from the rear passenger side. I did one last session, and then one some points of the track i noticed a VERY strong raw fuel smell inside. Then it goes away and comes back. I think its either depending on the turns or maybe even wind. I was done for the day thankfully no issues, but I won't be driving it until I fix this. I know the 04's had a recall for the fuel filler line cracking? obviously I am not bringing a race car to the dealer and will tackle this myself. But before I drop the tank can anyone give me any other ideas what this may be or what exactly I should look at or for? I also wonder if I smelt it more since it was a hot day and there was expansion/more ventilation? I also noticed a hissing sound from the fuel pump area on idle, it starts and stops a few times, but the car runs fine so I am not sure if its normal. I am considering just taking the stock tank out too and replacing it with a fuel cell in the trunk. But not sure if its worth it.

Thanks

Last edited by etkms; 05-25-2015 at 10:18 AM.
Old 05-25-2015, 10:52 AM
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SmoothZ
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There was a Technical Service Bulletin for the fuel filler hose on the Z. Nissan had to do full warranty work and replace that hose assembly because it was known to prevent proper flow when filling the tank, plus I believe it would crack or decay and leak. I'll have to look up that TSB on the NHTSA site.
Old 05-26-2015, 08:32 AM
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etkms
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Originally Posted by SmoothZ
There was a Technical Service Bulletin for the fuel filler hose on the Z. Nissan had to do full warranty work and replace that hose assembly because it was known to prevent proper flow when filling the tank, plus I believe it would crack or decay and leak. I'll have to look up that TSB on the NHTSA site.
Thanks. Do you by any chance know where or how I can find the actual dealer TSB? so I know what to look for? Are we talking about a minor crack usually or something larger?
Old 05-26-2015, 04:24 PM
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NISSAN350Z2003-2004






Details close

20 Associated Documents expand


Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

SUMMARY:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL FILLER HOSE MAY CRACK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE HOSE WHILE REFUELING.
CONSEQUENCE:
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
REMEDY:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE. RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006, FOR NISSAN OWNERS, AND ON MARCH 13, 2006, FOR INFINITI OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
NOTES:
NISSAN RECALL NOS. NISSAN R0505 AND INFINITI R0508. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Third TSB in this list:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/...rod_ids=201642
Old 05-27-2015, 09:20 AM
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etkms
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Originally Posted by SmoothZ
That is excellent information! thank you so much! I am now considering more to remove the tank all together and put a fuel cell in the trunk. I may make a thread on this later to see if anyone else did this and what they used.
Old 05-27-2015, 05:45 PM
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I'm here to help.
Old 05-29-2015, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by etkms
That is excellent information! thank you so much! I am now considering more to remove the tank all together and put a fuel cell in the trunk. I may make a thread on this later to see if anyone else did this and what they used.
I'd love to see some photos of that!
Old 06-07-2015, 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted by SmoothZ
I'm here to help.
Thank you. I just made a thread in the motorsports forum, but do you happen to know of any threads off hand of people with a fuel cell? I searched, saw lots of talk but not much, only some people with a surge tank.
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