2000 Dodge Caravan.

Ever since I bought this thing with high miles (160k) I've noticed a faint smell of gas. I've looked under the engine and near gas tank with it running and not running and can't see or hear anything unusual.

A few months ago the fuel pump was replaced due to a cracked fuel pump line or something going into/out of the gas tank. Thought maybe that was the issue but nope; the smell is still there. It doesn't matter if the windows are opened or closed it's still the same faint smell.

My wife is getting annoyed. Any ideas on where it's coming from?

 

Did you ck the exhaust manifold bolts? Sometime the bolts come loose and cause either a exhaust or gas smell.

 

I hadn't thought about manifold. I will check on that next time.

 

Thanks for ideas. I check manifold and can't seem to find any evidence of there being a leak. I watched and smelled and put my hand down with van running for hopes of hearing of feeling exhaust coming out.

Any other possibilities? I even check the exhaust as it goes under the van.

 

bad vent on the gas cap

 

It has a newish aftermarket gas cap. Seems to vent just fine.

 

actually your van would have a leak detection pump on it so if it had a leak in the tank or filler neck area or the purge solinoid or vapor canister it would set a code and turn on the check engine lamp. So if you do have a gas smell it would have to be coming from the fuel lines or injectors or something in the fuel supply.

 

are you talking gasoline smell or exhaust gas smell?

if you have gasoline smell.. a hydrocarbon detector would work perfect for finding the source. I read were a guy complained of a gas smell in his van only to find out he spilled a gas can and forgot he had it in the back.

 

Since you don't have an emissions code, I'd agree that it has to be something with the fuel lines. Starting at the tank, follow the lines up to the engine looking for stains or outright leaks. If that doesn't get you results, check the well where each injector goes and see if there is a puddle of fuel which would be an indication of a leaking O-ring. Also check the fuel rail on top of the engine.

 

I've checked the injectors of the vehicle while running and nothing, not a leak.

It is a gas fumes type smell. It seems to come and go.