Gasoline smell after driving.

[FirstBronco2024]

I have a 2024 Badlands with 17000 miles. Every now and then when I get home there is a very strong gasoline smell that fills up the whole garage. It seems to be coming from the tire area under the gas port side. I checked for any spill inside the gas door,doing the sniff test, the smell is not from there - it’s somewhere inside the wheel well area. I never top up the gas. It only happens sometimes, but when it does it’s very strong. I took it into my ford service and they couldn’t find anything wrong. I searched here and the internet and found nothing. I was wondering if anyone has had this happen? Any ideas?

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[HalfmuleFarmer]

I’ve had it happen on a past car, an MBZ. They took “strong smell of gas” VERY seriously at service. Turned out to be a hairline crack in the gas tank, go figure. Good news was it was under warranty. Bad news was they had to order it from Germany.

I’d take it back and INSIST they go over it with a fine-toothed comb. Gas vapor in a closed space is bad news.

 

[FirstBronco2024]

Yes it’s frustrating since when I took it to the dealer (at 8000 miles) it wasn’t happening at the time. The tech came to talk to me and said he checked for everything in the area I smell it and said no leaks or cracks he could see. I love the truck, but definitely worried about this. I need to leave the garage door open for hours when it happens to let the smell out.

 

[ThunderFlash]

I don't have any answers for you, but are there any consistencies or trends you've noticed with the smell? Hot/cold day, long/short drive, fuel level, or other patterns? Might help. My first thought was maybe a blocked vent, but that's a total guess.

 

[FirstBronco2024]

It seems like after long drives on the freeway, fairly full fuel level, but not always right after filling up. it’s been on both hot and cold days. No fuel dripping on the garage floor that I can see. After about an hour It’s completely gone (the smell) so it makes me think something pressure related, just a guess. I’m sure it happens more often, because I would not notice when I park outside.

 

[ColoradoKid26]

Holee shit this just happened to me for the first time on Saturday.

I drove to the mountain house after an hour drive and got out and smelled gas. The smell was very strong for a few minutes, then went away. I went down in to town later and filled up, and didn't smell anything after that. I took another hour drive again to day and nothing.

Its very alarming to say the least. If it happens again its going to the dealer.

 

[FirstBronco2024]

You know you made me remember something when you said mountain house. It seems to happen for me after driving with altitude change, like down from a mountain or up. I live at 4060 feet. And it seems to happen when driving from even higher down to home (I live in a mountainous area).

 

[ThunderFlash]

You know you made me remember something when you said mountain house. It seems to happen for me after driving with altitude change, like down from a mountain or up. I live at 4060 feet. And it seems to happen when driving from even higher down to home (I live in a mountainous area).

That seems like a relevant parameter. I'm not sure how those capless tanks seal exactly, but they have got to be able to equalize pressure. Back in the day forgetting the fuel cap or not getting it tight enough could throw a Check Engine Light, so they do tend to be pressurized.

Maybe @Ducati1098 can shed some light on that Bronco system.

 

[nolanrob123]

Just chiming in. We did off roadeo. Several stages after climbing up I noticed a strong gas smell. I thought we cracked a tank. Turns out it was running rich. The computers are very sensitive. Apparently even a few hundred feet of elevation change can lead to that. I was so worried I looked under the truck for a leak and even watched the fuel gauge. All was well at the end of the day. FYI, fuel odor lingers longer due to its density. Making it smell worse than it is.

 

[BillyB]

2024 BD 2.7L here coming out of first Winter, and I drive from 6700 ft to 4200 ft and back several times a week...and may have noticed a slight fuel odor once or twice, in colder weather.
That said...assume you have searched..."issues with ford easy fuel fill."

 

[JL8jeff]

In some of my previous vehicles this has happened and it's usually something to do with the EVAP system which is supposed to pull gas vapors from the tank back into the intake. There is usually a charcoal filter somewhere and if they get soaked with fuel or clogged up it can block the system. Other times it has been a dried out rubber hose in the EVAP that cracks and allows the built up pressure in the gas tank to escape. I'm not sure how the Bronco is set up but you may want to double check any hoses back around the tank area. The elevation thing could be a factor with excess pressure as well.

 

[Brian_B]

I go from 4,000' to 150' almost every day, and often up as high as 10,000' in the summer. Can't say I've ever noticed a gas smell. But the elevation change will definitely make your gas tank breath, along with anything sealed. Not uncommon to have potato chip bags pop, and I love to watch new people with rotopaxes.

 

[dgorsett]

I've had my Bronco 4 years and have noticed it maybe 5 times, usually after a decent pull on or off road, I'm assuming evap system or capless tank, I have chosen to ignore...

 

[ThunderFlash]

I have chosen to ignore...

I personally love the smell of gasoline in the morning. It smells like......victory.

 

[JTTremor]

I have a 2024 Badlands with 17000 miles. Every now and then when I get home there is a very strong gasoline smell that fills up the whole garage. It seems to be coming from the tire area under the gas port side. I checked for any spill inside the gas door,doing the sniff test, the smell is not from there - it’s somewhere inside the wheel well area. I never top up the gas. It only happens sometimes, but when it does it’s very strong. I took it into my ford service and they couldn’t find anything wrong. I searched here and the internet and found nothing. I was wondering if anyone has had this happen? Any ideas?

Different Ford, but when I got the strong fuel smell it was the fuel pump gasket on top of the gas tank.

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