I'm getting a strong gasoline smell outside the car on cold starts in temps below about 35 degrees F.

After a remote start, I smell the gas as I approach the car. It's very strong.

This morning I confirmed that the gas smell occurs on a key start from inside the vehicle too (after starting, I got out to confirm the gas smell is there).

Where/how would I start the troubleshooting process? Is this a known issue?

Car is an 06 2LT 2.4 automatic with about 62000.

Thanks.

 

Any recent mechanical work?

Have you over filled and/or "stuffed" the gas tank after fill turn off?

How does the car start, run and drive? ANY hesitation, at all, at start up?

Are you mechanically inclined and to what degree?

A couple of things that have come up in previous owners...... Loose injector, fuel rail leak, loose fuel line fitting,

 

If you have to ask where to start troubleshooting, I'd suggest you get it towed to your local dealer or shop. Watching it go up in flames would not be a good experience.

 

Heed this warning!

 

X 2, get it hauled somewhere and checked out, fuel leaks can turn catastrophic in a heartbeat, then you're dealing with a fire.

 

FIRE. Somebody call me?
Seriously. Don't drive it. Have it towed to a repair shop.

 

miles solo,

I agree with the rest of the posts. If you have a strong gasoline smell, I would not drive it. Call your local dealer and have it towed, so they can look at it. Please keep us informed on the issue.

Thank you,

Evan, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

Is it a gas smell from the exhaust, or does it smell like fumes at a gas station? If it is from the exhaust then it's probably normal what you are smelling. Your car is just dumping more fuel because it hasn't warmed up yet; esp since you mentioned it being close to freezing outside.

 

Thanks for all these responses -- and sorry it took so long for me to get back to the forum. I don't like having to ignore issues like this, but the car and I have been tied up with top priority work for my business.

There doesn't seem to be any obvious leak I can track down visually. I know the fuel mix must be very rich on a cold weather start, so I will follow Trucky's advice and see if the smell is emanating from the exhaust at the rear. I'm going to have the car in a shop early next week and will get this properly checked out.

 

I agree.....

I have a 2011 2.4L and we are experiencing colder weather this last week.
24 - 34 degrees.

I keep the HHR in the garage and I have noticed just lately that there is a much stronger then normal gas/exhaust smell on start up and lasting for about 3-5 minutes. Then everything goes back to normal.

However, I also have no gas smell whats so ever while the car is just sitting in the garage.

I can see how someone might be alarmed if not familiar with this.

SF