03 Monte Carlo Problems
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
From: Michigan
03 Monte Carlo Problems
Hello
I have a 2003 Monte Carlo with the 3.4 V6 engine with a 129,107 miles. The last couple of weeks I have smelled gas coming from under the hood more specifically on the drivers side near the windshield. When I shut the car off and park it I can smell the gas for a minute or two then it goes away and I don't smell it anymore. Then their are some times that when I start the car the smell starts to come through the air vents in the interior. I am not sure what the smell could be or why it is only happening some of the time but I was hoping someone had a similar problem and could help to point me in a particular direction before I drop the car off at the shop and can't at least point them in a particular direction.
Thanks
Chris
I have a 2003 Monte Carlo with the 3.4 V6 engine with a 129,107 miles. The last couple of weeks I have smelled gas coming from under the hood more specifically on the drivers side near the windshield. When I shut the car off and park it I can smell the gas for a minute or two then it goes away and I don't smell it anymore. Then their are some times that when I start the car the smell starts to come through the air vents in the interior. I am not sure what the smell could be or why it is only happening some of the time but I was hoping someone had a similar problem and could help to point me in a particular direction before I drop the car off at the shop and can't at least point them in a particular direction.
Thanks
Chris
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,605
From: Mentor, Ohio
If it's truly gas, leave the car running (just at idle) and inspect for gas leaking. Typically a gas leak is a rotted fuel line, I would start by looking under the car for signs of fuel dripping (or if the under carriage is dry, look for the fuel lines only to be wet). The reason I say under the car, the odor of fuel could be traveling up to where you are noticing it. Follow the lines up, they will come up the back of the engine and eventually connect at your fuel rail (on the 3.4, that is under the upper intake). Any signs of fuel leaks typically evaporate quickly off any spot they would leave a sign (hence best to look for it while the car is idling and it might be dripping).
Some people mistake the smell of fuel for burnt oil or exhaust fumes. If the odor you call fuel does NOT smell exactly like the gas you put in a gas can, it's not fuel, it's something else.
Hope this helps.
Some people mistake the smell of fuel for burnt oil or exhaust fumes. If the odor you call fuel does NOT smell exactly like the gas you put in a gas can, it's not fuel, it's something else.
Hope this helps.
Welcome to the forum!
Youve come to the right place for all things
MonteCarlo!
It sounds to me like the connector at the fuel is starting to leak...
Id start there....
Youve come to the right place for all things
MonteCarlo!
It sounds to me like the connector at the fuel is starting to leak...
Id start there....
Thread Starter
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
From: Michigan
2003 Monte Carlo Problems
So if the smell isn't truly gas and it is burnt oil or exhaust fumes what could be the problem then?
Thanks
Chris
Thanks
Chris
If it's truly gas, leave the car running (just at idle) and inspect for gas leaking. Typically a gas leak is a rotted fuel line, I would start by looking under the car for signs of fuel dripping (or if the under carriage is dry, look for the fuel lines only to be wet). The reason I say under the car, the odor of fuel could be traveling up to where you are noticing it. Follow the lines up, they will come up the back of the engine and eventually connect at your fuel rail (on the 3.4, that is under the upper intake). Any signs of fuel leaks typically evaporate quickly off any spot they would leave a sign (hence best to look for it while the car is idling and it might be dripping).
Some people mistake the smell of fuel for burnt oil or exhaust fumes. If the odor you call fuel does NOT smell exactly like the gas you put in a gas can, it's not fuel, it's something else.
Hope this helps.
Some people mistake the smell of fuel for burnt oil or exhaust fumes. If the odor you call fuel does NOT smell exactly like the gas you put in a gas can, it's not fuel, it's something else.
Hope this helps.
Monte Of The Month -- March 2013
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8,442
From: michigan
Welcome to the site. There are a bunch of MI members here. Burnt oil could be caused by a leaking valve cover gasket or oil pan gasket. I would look around on the intake and other areas for signs of an oil leak. As far as the exhaust you could have a crack in one of the exhaust manifolds, the crossover pipe or where it connects to the rest of the exhaust system.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12,605
From: Mentor, Ohio
First, did you check for signs of leaking gas as I mentioned? Keep in mind, you have to look while the car is running (small gas leaks evaporate signs quickly).
If it's not gas, as mentioned if can be burning oil (oil and gas are both "dead dinosaur", hence why they can sometimes can smell close to each other. Oil can leak from failed LIM gaskets, bad valve cover gaskets. Exhaust gas, just check out the exhaust manifolds and exhaust piping for failed gaskets, broken connecting bolts, and any other sign of damage.
Best thing to do is some basic investigative work or turn it over to a shop who is experienced with looking for problems like this.
If it's not gas, as mentioned if can be burning oil (oil and gas are both "dead dinosaur", hence why they can sometimes can smell close to each other. Oil can leak from failed LIM gaskets, bad valve cover gaskets. Exhaust gas, just check out the exhaust manifolds and exhaust piping for failed gaskets, broken connecting bolts, and any other sign of damage.
Best thing to do is some basic investigative work or turn it over to a shop who is experienced with looking for problems like this.