CentralCalifSpider
New member
2017 Spider Abarth Fuel Smell…
Last month I noticed what I thought was an exhaust smell (inside my car) while stopped at a stop light. First, I thought it was exhaust smell from someone in front of me. When moving the smell vanished, then it would return the next time I was stopped. After many stops, I’ve determined it’s not exhaust from a vehicle near me.
I took it to the dealership and asked them to identify the problem. They put smoke into the exhaust system (under pressure) and checked under the hood for a problem. There was no leak in the exhaust system and they could not find any reason for the smell I described. They could not even get the issue (the smell) to appear at all. They called me and I took their service guy on a test drive to show them it was not my imagination. I could get it to happen during the test drive. Mysteriously, the smell was gone, for about 3 to 4 weeks (about 6 fill-ups).
But now the smell has returned and occurs as it did before, but I believe the smell to be a fuel smell, not exhaust. I have noticed that it only appears when the a/c and/or heat is on and blowing. If I’m stopped with the a/c or heat OFF, the smell is not present, but once I turn the a/c or heat on, the smell appears somewhat quickly. There is NO fuel smell while moving with the a/c or heat on.
I’ve read of an issue with an evap value on top of the fuel tank. But I didn’t think that fit my issue, since mine appears when I’m stopped, engine running, and the a/c or heat is on. I think the smell is coming through the air vents (but can’t confirm), but it does appear when the system is on and stops when the system is off.
I was thinking if the smell is coming through the air vents, it must somehow be coming from the engine compartment. But I’ve searched a few Fiat forums and can’t find a post with a similar problem.
Has anyone read about a similar problem or have any ideas?
Thank you for your help
Curtis
Last month I noticed what I thought was an exhaust smell (inside my car) while stopped at a stop light. First, I thought it was exhaust smell from someone in front of me. When moving the smell vanished, then it would return the next time I was stopped. After many stops, I’ve determined it’s not exhaust from a vehicle near me.
I took it to the dealership and asked them to identify the problem. They put smoke into the exhaust system (under pressure) and checked under the hood for a problem. There was no leak in the exhaust system and they could not find any reason for the smell I described. They could not even get the issue (the smell) to appear at all. They called me and I took their service guy on a test drive to show them it was not my imagination. I could get it to happen during the test drive. Mysteriously, the smell was gone, for about 3 to 4 weeks (about 6 fill-ups).
But now the smell has returned and occurs as it did before, but I believe the smell to be a fuel smell, not exhaust. I have noticed that it only appears when the a/c and/or heat is on and blowing. If I’m stopped with the a/c or heat OFF, the smell is not present, but once I turn the a/c or heat on, the smell appears somewhat quickly. There is NO fuel smell while moving with the a/c or heat on.
I’ve read of an issue with an evap value on top of the fuel tank. But I didn’t think that fit my issue, since mine appears when I’m stopped, engine running, and the a/c or heat is on. I think the smell is coming through the air vents (but can’t confirm), but it does appear when the system is on and stops when the system is off.
I was thinking if the smell is coming through the air vents, it must somehow be coming from the engine compartment. But I’ve searched a few Fiat forums and can’t find a post with a similar problem.
Has anyone read about a similar problem or have any ideas?
Thank you for your help
Curtis