ZOMGXB

My xB smells funny. The air coming through the vents on startup smells like gasoline. The exhaust does, too. I am understandably concerned about this.

I changed my plugs last weekend, and I thought it might be related, but the engine block does not smell like gas, and the underside of the engine cover is clean. Besides, I think that's more like a "blow a hole through your hood" problem.

My mileage has actually increased since I changed the plugs. I would think that "unburned gas" and "worse mileage" would go hand-in-hand.

anyone know what this is? any recommendations?

also: all 'search' did for me was bring up that "brain-killing plastic outgassing in scion xB!" thread. coulda done without THAT memory :p

bearcave

How were your old plugs? Were they really fouled or did they look like normal wear and tear? Did you inspect your fuel rail for leaks? If the smell doesn't go away, I'd definitely have this checked out.

ZOMGXB

They weren't exactly fouled...just covered in a very thin layer of crap.

I did notice that they were gapped wrong, however (according to the owner's manual). Our manual specifies .10" (I think), and they were nearly twice that.

I would imagine that unburned gasoline would be affecting fuel economy...right?

bearcave

Yeah, the wrong gap will affect your MPG but not sure about causing the smell. I'd def. get this checked.

xSTANDxSTRONGx

you say it smells on startup right? That's normal...I get it out of the exhaust whenever the engine is cold.

ZOMGXB

YEP, and it's only when the engine is cold. I APPLAUD YOU, SIR.

This winter is the coldest, for the longest, that I can remember. My poor box!

Jan06xB

How long does it crank before it starts when it is cold. I get mine started right away and sometimes it fools me and it takes three tries to start. That is when you would smell more gasoline. You should not smell anything under the hood but check your oil because that can get contaminated pretty fast if you are not burning the gas or are flooding the engine.

ichixban

Interested in this as well. My dad was having problems with his accord having the same smell but it eventually went away.

Jan06xB

This happened on a friends Diesel boat and as it turned out an injector was leaking after it was shut down and the fumes would come out the intake if the intake and exhaust valves were open just right.

You may also want to check for excessive fuel tank pressure by opening up the filler cap before you start it up.

xSTANDxSTRONGx

Glad i could help...even just a lil bit.

flying_toaster

the manual suggests the gap should actually be .032, but many of us here get the ngk 11's that are gapped at .044. i hope you put it the right gap because that might be the problem?

richmond2000

Is the car parked in doors? + do you run around with a low tank of gas
I ask because a low tank of gas will make more fumes and if the car gets parked indoors the gas fumes get pushed out of the fuel tank into a charcoal canister and at startup the fumes get pulled into the engine and sometimes you can smell the unburned fumes out the tail pipe

Jan06xB

Lets not get the units of measure confused 1.0mm is about 0.39" The Iridium plug gap should be 0.044 inches or about 1.1mm

crubrico

Yup, its probably your injector, you might wanna get that checked.