Gas smell ?

[Elixer]

Got a '97 3800 Grand Prix, and lately, there is a really strong gas smell coming from it, but I don't see any leaks anyplace, and don't see and signs of leaks on the ground.
It also takes extra time for the car to turn over in the mornings, but after that, it starts right away.
Looking at the engine, the fuel hose looks fine.

Curious as to what the issue might be ?

 

[LTC8K6]

Evap system?

 

[BUTCH1]

Possible leaking injector O-ring that seeps a bit of gas on top of the manifold where it gets absorbed by engine dirt, then eventually evaporates. I'm guessing though, take it to a shop, engine fires suck..

 

[Elixer]

Thanks, looks like a trip to the shop is needed, since I can't find the leak.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Fuel pressure regulator on the fuel rail has most likely gone bad. Diaphragm cracks and seeps, letting fuel into the vac line. Makes it hard to start and can smell bad too particularly if the vac line rubber cracks from prolonged exposure to the gasoline. Pretty simple fix. I've been there, done that with that engine (same engine and FPR setup in my old 98 Camaro 3800 V6). It started to smell like gas around the driver side fender area (FPR is on the driver side in the RWD Camaro) and it would take a some cranking to get started. It would run fine once it started and be fine the rest of the day.

 

[exdeath]

Second on FPR. Injector o rings would cause a lean miss as well, and fuel is being shot straight into the ports which are under vacuum. Don't get fuel seeping out of the o rings as much as unmetered air entering.

Hard start and fuel smell is a giveaway. Regulator has a small leak or an injector pintle isn't seating. Both would be small enough to not affect driveability and/or be compensated for in closed loop, but pool up over time and flood on key off. Fuel pressure key off leakdown test should confirm.

 

[BUTCH1]

Second on FPR. Injector o rings would cause a lean miss as well, and fuel is being shot straight into the ports which are under vacuum. Don't get fuel seeping out of the o rings as much as unmetered air entering.

Hard start and fuel smell is a giveaway. Regulator has a small leak or an injector pintle isn't seating. Both would be small enough to not affect driveability and/or be compensated for in closed loop, but pool up over time and flood on key off. Fuel pressure key off leakdown test should confirm.

Yea, I stand corrected, the false air entering via a bad O-ring would cause drivability problems full time. Luckily for OP I don't think GM FPR's are too expensive for an engine as widely used as the 3800..

 

[Elixer]

Looks like the problem was the fuel filter.

Didn't know that caused hard starts, but the fuel smell makes sense.

 

[slag]

No, it doesn't. A plugged fuel filter should not increase the smell of fuel whatseover.

 

[Elixer]

Wasn't plugged, it had a leak in it. It was pretty rusted.

 

[slag]

Well then, makes sense like you said

 

[LTC8K6]

Glad you found it, you don't need any fuel leaks.