Yesterday I got into my D after work and started it up normally, put the heat on & drove home. About 10 minutes into the ride I stopped at a light and faintly smelled gas, seemed like it was coming thru the vents. When i pulled away the smell was gone. Stopped again and it came back. When I got home I popped the hood and looked around but could find nothing noticable, and there's no real gas smell either. I crawled under the truck and looked at pretty much anything that I could find but didn;t see / smell anything.

This morning it starts up normal and drives OK, but there is a distinct gas smell coming from the heater vents when the truck is stopped. I can't say that I've noticed my gas mileage being off, maybe a little lower than normal but it's also been extremely cold (< 10 degrees) for a few days, and I've used 4WD a few times on slick roads.

Is there any "common" places to look for a leak? Like I said, the fuel rail appears dry as do the lines going to it. I figured tonight I'd drive it home & let it sit for awhile then check the fuel rail for pressure to see if it's bleeding off when not running which would indicate a leak, but I don't know how long I'd expect it to stay pressurized anyways.

Truck is a 2003 SLT w/ a 4.7

Also, is there any other furel filter on these (stock) other than the one located in the tank?

Thanks for any ideas you might have.

Bob

 

the only fuel filter is the one located in the tank

if i were you i would start tracing the evap system lines, they are part of a vacuum system which is designed to trap and store fuel vapor, if they are leaking bad enough to smell i would expect a CEL, but it is always possible that they will leak without one.

 

Also check your vacuum lines as well. The Purge valve is under you battery.

 

Will do, thanks for the suggestions. I didn't think there was another filter other than the tank. Still don't understand that logic.

No CEL (yet). Purge valve line was found / fixed a few months ago. (BTW thanks for that one Hydra, I'd never have found a split line there.)

Bob

 

Look at the tube under the D right around under your drivers seat. There should be a hose that is larger on 1 side than the other, look for cracks. Mine was cracked. I think I have pics somewhere of it. I will post if I find them.

 

This pic shows what you see when under the Rig.



This pic shows the Cracked tube along with the parts I bought to repair it.



Finished the tube assembly



Tube assembly installed