petrol fumes

[poohbah]

Hi all,

Of late, my 2001 V6 156 has started to get a slight case of BO - just a whiff of petrol fumes, most noticeable just after refilling, but also when I start her up in the morning.

I've had a poke around the engine bay and can't smell anything, or see anything iffy, nor has fuel consumption been noticeably higher lately (it does vary according to right foot pressure!).

Any ideas of what it might be, or where to start looking?

(With all the publicity around the 147 that self combusted - and the self-immolating 911 GT3s and Fezzas, don't want to find myself in the same situation! So I was relieved that there seems to be no smell under the bonnet)

[colcol]

Look at the seal on the petrol cap and the petrol filter could be leaking, on the series 2, 2002 onwards, the fuel filter is under the car on the right hand side, on the models before, the petrol filter may be in the tank, you need special tools to undo the petrol filter clips, some just use multigrips which ruin the clips, the special clip removers are about $20 for a set.
Always have a fire extinguisher in your car, the bad taste it will leave in your mouth about claiming for a burnt out car will be too much to think about, not to mention extra insurance premiums.

[Meng]

Hi all,

Of late, my 2001 V6 156 has started to get a slight case of BO - just a whiff of petrol fumes, most noticeable just after refilling, but also when I start her up in the morning.

I've had a poke around the engine bay and can't smell anything, or see anything iffy, nor has fuel consumption been noticeably higher lately (it does vary according to right foot pressure!).

Any ideas of what it might be, or where to start looking?

(With all the publicity around the 147 that self combusted - and the self-immolating 911 GT3s and Fezzas, don't want to find myself in the same situation! So I was relieved that there seems to be no smell under the bonnet)

could be a leaking tank, if it was the fuel line youd smell it coming through the air vents

[bteoh]

Hi,
Not sure if the 2001 V6 shares the same tank arrangement as the 2004 156 JTS. Mine had a similiar problem and it turned out to be a leaking overflow / return fuel connection. The tank is situated under the rear seat and slightly into the boot. This involves removing the rear seats and the rear floor carpets in the boot. You will see some 13mm nuts - remove them all and you can pull off the metal cover, exposing the fuel sender unit. On top of the unit, there's an overflow / return connector. Mine leaked some fuel and caused it to sit on top of the fuel sender unit, thus causing fumes in the cabin.
Not sure if yours has a similiar problem?
Cheers

[poohbah]

cheers all for the feedback. I will investigate based on your excellent tips.

[bteoh]

Hey Poohbah
Did you get your fuel smell problem sorted? Mine has caused an issue and I have found what has caused the leak. If you have a look at the attached photos, the 1st pic on the top of the fuel sender where there's a circle with four  1/4 sections, that's where mine was leaking fuel. Apparently it is a common problem. The bad news is that you have to buy a complete unit including the in tank fuel pump and sender unit. A new oem Alfa unit is apparently $900 + dollars   
Not sure if it can be repaired but Cileberti Motors can give you some options (non genuine) in case you have a similiar problem.
Cheers

[colcol]

Try to buy or make up a new seal to replace the leaking one, if its an o ring go to bearing service, or a flat seal, you might be able to cut one out of a rubber sheet.
Try an Alfa dealer and see if they do a seal kit for them or try the pump manufacturer direct, Colin.

[bteoh]

Hey Colin,
There isn't a seal in that area and unless you get a plastic welder to weld it, it cannot be repaired. I suspect that area may be subject to some fuel pressure? So even if you can get access to repair it, not sure how long that may last?
I reckon it's best to replace the unit.
Cheers

[poohbah]

Cheers guys, haven't had time to get to it yet, will look this weekend. $900 sure sounds steep!

[colcol]

Before you put your money down, do some research, someone might have one laying on a shelf for 10 years and want to move it on, or it may interchange with a more common car, Colin.

[poohbah]

Yep, if I need one I will be looking everywhere for a cheaper option.

[poohbah]

Well, doesn't seem to be the fuel sender. And what a pain getting to it! Now looking for possible leaky fuel line.

[poohbah]

Well finally resolved the petrol fumes issue. Turned out to be the fuel pump itself, which happily the guys at Cileberti's were able to repair rather than replace. So cost was only $220 as opposed to +$800 to replace with a new one.