Gas smell returns

[nostarttireflat]

Awhile back I had got real bad gas mileage (110 miles/ tank-19gallon), read the codes & got code 41. Changed the O2 sensor with no luck, finally got fixed after changing the FPR & that did the trick. Well know the gas smell has returned. I have the Haynes manual & it says that there are 2 O2 sensor (IF I'VE READ IT CORRECT) but I can only find 1. My Xploder is a '91 & a pushrod V6, the manual shows the SOHC & says other engines similar. Mine also has only 1 exhaust pipe where as the picture shows 2. Has mine been altered or is that the way it is supposs to be, if so, where is the second sensor located?

 

[agzaretzka]

The '91 only had one O2 sensor.

 

[nostarttireflat]

Okay next ? then, since changing the the sensor didn't help last time, do I change the FPR again or should I change the sensor again & hope that's it. I know I have to spend $$ again but can (Can't in reality) afford to change 1 since X-MAS time?

THANX IN ADVANCE FOR ANY & ALL HELP!!!!!!! T.J.

 

[Chew_12]

Have you tried changing the fuel purge canistor? I had a gas smell and I replaced that for like $10 and it worked.

 

[aldive]

Have you tried changing the fuel purge canistor? I had a gas smell and I replaced that for like $10 and it worked.

Excellent advise.

I once had a gas smell problem that finally turned out to be a pin hole in the fuel rail; took me forever to find it.

Good luck.

 

[nostarttireflat]

Where is this fuel purge canister located and does produce code 41?

 

[nostarttireflat]

A couple of extra things,
1. Just passed emissions about 1 mo earlier--
2. Is the diagram (ie wiring diagrams or family tree) for the route that the fuel line takes, like tank-pump-filter-x.. sensor-x.. injector-x.. valve & so on to the exhaust & the return to tank? It would make it easier for a lame-brain like me to test/check each part & rule out or fix.

 

[MrShorty]

EVAP system fault won't normally cause a 41. 41 is usually:
1) a fault in the O2 sensor circuit.
2) vacuum leak
3) fault in fuel delivery (low pressure). Fuel delivery, beginning in the tank: tank - pump - filter - fuel rail (injectors branch off of rail) - fuel pressure regulator - return line - tank.

The fact that you smell the gas suggests that it's really running rich, so the 41 is a false lean code. I would start by checking the O2 sensor circuit. I don't know whose O2 sensor you put in when you replaced it, but I bought an Echlin O2 sensor from Napa that went bad on me in a couple of months. Just to say that not all O2 sensors are created equal.

One other question: is your code 41 a continuous memory (CM) code, or a KOER code, or both. If you haven't run the KOER test, yet, I'd do that to see if your 41 is consistent or intermittent.

 

[Chew_12]

It is the black box with 2 knobs on it right next to the coolant resvoir.

 

[410Fortune]

I would like to add my $0.02, canister purge solenoid = gas smell

Replace it.

 

[nostarttireflat]

Well, a few new things!!!! Battery went bad so that is just the start, after changing the battery odd things started working again like able to turn radar detector on/off w/side volume-on/off, the 4x buttons will now lite up when push 4x-high but turns off when I try 4x-low. After replacing the battery I retried scanning the codes-- 41 KOEO, 64-KOER, 74-KOER.
HAYNES MANUAL reads
41-heated ox sensor
64-Intake Air Temp sensor grounded
74-Brake on/off switch fail
ACTRON CODE SCANNER reads
41-EGO exhaust gas Oxygen (lean does not switch)
64-ACT Air Charge Temp or
VAT Vane Air Temp is low
74-BOO Brake on/off

I've changed the IAT/VAT sensor and CEL came on again this morning, then realized that I forgot to clear codes, so cleared codes before leaving work and NO CEL but can still smell some gas. I seem to have a lot more power when I floor it, it goes. Before it would stutter step before it would work its way to the power.

 

[MrShorty]

41 can't be a KOEO code (can't test o2 sensor when the engine isn't running), so I'm going to assume it's really a continuous memory code. I'm also going to assume that it passed the KOEO test.
KOER 64 would be easily set if the test were performed on a cold engine. However, it's interesting that you didn't get the same code for the KOEO test, if this were the case. A guy would have to think through this carefully to see what would cause this code to show up in the KOER test, but not the KOEO test. One thing, not that codes don't always mean a bad sensor. Bad wiring is just as likely a cause.
KOER 74 is almost always operator error. Computer expects to see you press on the brake pedal after engine id is output. This is often neglected, resulting in the code.
You say you cleared the codes. It should be noted that KOER codes can't be "cleared" in this sense, because they represent hard faults present at the time the test is performed. They can only be "cleared" if the condition that caused the fault corrects itself/is corrected. KOEO and KOER codes are not stored in the computer's memory. CM codes are the codes that get "cleared"
Anyway, after all that, the only thing I see that would likely contribute to the gas smell is the cm 41. Are certain it hasn't come back? I would pull the codes again to asssure myself there really is a pass code in memory. I have seen CM codes show up without the CEL coming on. It's also interesting that you don't get a KOER 41, which indicates that the system operates "normally" (as far as the computer is concerned anyway) at least part of the time.
EVAP system (was mentioned) are you certain the CANP solenoid is opening? EVAP tubing clogged?
Any leaks in the fuel delivery system (filter, FPR, fuel injectors, tubing coming out of the tank)?

 

[nostarttireflat]

Sorry for the delayed response, have to go to friends to use computer. As for reading the codes, I think I may need to reread the book again or have someone show me how, I think it is going alittle quicker than I thought so. Anyways I took it to a mechanic and he said the O2 sensor is bad, so I replaced it. Ran fine last night but today a little rougher idle and can smell the gas-exhaust from the tail pipe. Also noticed that the things I said started working again after changing the battery have quit working and the dash and head lights go dim again. Thanks again for all your help!!!! T.J.

 

[hunterdan]

You might want to have your alternator checked/replaced. If your not getting power to all the accessories, it could be throwing everything off. A shot in the dark, but sounds like something that you need to replace, otherwise you will end up with another dead battery.

Dan

 

[MrShorty]

I have seen many problems O2 sensor codes in particular, that get traced to a faulty ground connection at the battery. Of course, many of you other electrical faults could also be a bad ground. Check your battery connections and cables (they often rot from the inside out).