B6 1.8T Petrol/Fuel Smell

**rowdy-999** · 01-10-2016,04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Skezza

Going need to spend probably a day on this. I think they're right, I don't think there's like a major fuel leak but I think the smell from the charcoal canister is causing the cabin to smell all the time.

I don't know if there's a cheap way of repairing the charcoal canister that anyone can recommend? I've seen aftermarket solenoids online but yeah, s bit lost and a bit stressed lol.

One thing to add, the guys working on it said when you remove the fuel cap there's a hiss (there is tbf) and this is a sign of a breather blockage.

Every petrol car i've owned did that, In fact I always though it should make a hiss.

**Skezza** · 01-10-2016,09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Alan02

Thought it may be that since you could smell it in car. If the canister isn`t venting, that will more than likely cause the pressure in the tank.

I think you're probably right but I'm not overly impressed with the work they've 'claimed' to have done. Apparently they spent three hours removing and cleaning the charcoal canister. Today, I realised they had undone the fuel cap (I assume to reduce the pressure build up) and also haven't bloody put my engine cover back on. I don't tend to keep them on anyway but come on, is it that hard to remember to put it back on?
Phone call 9am Monday I guess

**Skezza** · 01-10-2016,09:33 PM

Originally Posted by rowdy-999

Every petrol car i've owned did that, In fact I always though it should make a hiss.

I'll confess. I've not owned a petrol for a few years

It's been diesel mad-mpg-ness seeing as I was often driving over 80 miles a day. Moved house, living much nearer and decided "bin the diesel I want a hot hatchback" (in particular a vr6 golf or something nutty). Not practical enough (says the missus.....'

) so this is the mad fun but practical compromise

My petrol 106 didn't hiss as far as i can remember.... Nor did my petrol Lupo. My girlfriend's old Ka used to vent badly but then I don't remember it stinking of petrol..... It was just a terrible car lol

I guess the tank is pressurised but if it's empty surely the pressure is quite low?

**fourringsrus** · 01-10-2016,10:34 PM

I dont rate the garage response too highly, cowboy outfit springs to mind.
You have seen the similar thread on these pages, be patient and await Steves (Crashers) return he will get you on the right track

**Crasher** · 02-10-2016,08:12 PM

The cut off pipe under the floor is meant to be there, it is a vent tube. It may be that the fuel filter has been incorrectly plumbed up or that the filter is old and faulty.

**niall campbell** · 02-10-2016,09:34 PM

I would perhaps also look at replacing the fuel cap

Should not be hissing when you take it off. It wasn't so long ago, they had a small hole on these caps that you could see .........................

You should if you run out of fuel keep the cap off until the engine runs , maybe not so much with high pressure fuel systems; but you get the idea of allowing air into/out of tank

**Skezza** · 03-10-2016,05:44 PM

Thanks for all your efforts in helping guys, I do appreciate it. Just a quick update and reply to all of your points:

Originally Posted by fourringsrus

I dont rate the garage response too highly, cowboy outfit springs to mind.
You have seen the similar thread on these pages, be patient and await Steves (Crashers) return he will get you on the right track

Well, I went and collected the engine cover today (minus the dealer which was good). The mechanic who worked on it was a really nice fella to be fair, and genuinely admitted that this kind of fault isn't his strength. He was doing it as a favour to the dealer who sold it (makes more sense to be fair). Had a chat with him obviously and he joked about the fact it really needed sorting as it gave him a headache driving it back to the garage

So he told me:
He removed the front wheel to access the 'canister' (I assume that's the charcoal canister?). He cleaned it out by blowing compressed air through it and then put it back on. He vacuum tested the N80 valve and told me that it was definitely 'vacuuming' but wasn't sure at what pressure it was supposed to vacuum. He said that he also removed the fuel filter and blew compressed air through that, and said that looked clean too. It doesn't really sound like 3 hours of work, but I wasn't going to knock him when he was clearly doing it as a favour to the dealer.

Originally Posted by Crasher

The cut off pipe under the floor is meant to be there, it is a vent tube. It may be that the fuel filter has been incorrectly plumbed up or that the filter is old and faulty.

Yeah, once I finally understood the pipe was a vent tube, it became a bit more understandable. So you think it's the fuel filter? Interesting. The fella did say he removed it and blew compressed air through it. At £28 is it worth a gamble replacing it then? Or should I check the plumbing first? The biggest issue is although I can see the lines, how can I tell which is the correct line for which port on the fuel filter?

Originally Posted by niall campbell

I would perhaps also look at replacing the fuel cap

Should not be hissing when you take it off. It wasn't so long ago, they had a small hole on these caps that you could see .........................

You should if you run out of fuel keep the cap off until the engine runs , maybe not so much with high pressure fuel systems; but you get the idea of allowing air into/out of tank

It definitely hisses. When I fill it up is usually hisses quite a lot, but this morning when I did it, it wasn't as loud. Maybe because I've got half a tank of fuel in there? I'll look at replacing the fuel cap, the one currently on the car is looking very old and tired. Also it's hard to tell whether it's the correct one as there's no lock barrel.

Maybe I should just buy a generic one off eBay or is there a better one people use?

**Skezza** · 03-10-2016,05:49 PM

Additionally, I had a look in the engine bay, and spotted the two pipes that apparently get blocked as part of the fuel system. There's a Z one and a U bend. Is it safe to blow these with compressed air, or is it better to replace them?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A4-B5...gAAOSwuhhXV8Gw

Here's the fuel cap I looked at. Are all fuel caps created equally, or is an OEM one absolutely vital?

**niall campbell** · 04-10-2016,01:06 PM

The OEM one wont cost you very much more from a bona fida dealer , that's what I would fit , no mucking about . You may have to order it in & just phone and ask for the Parts dept and ask them for a quote

Yes just blow the breather pipes out, but pipes can collapse inwards in rare cases, but it does happen. Just take the pipes off if you can and blow them out .................you don't want to blow rubbish into the tank

I totally disagree with blowing compressed air into the fuel filter to clean it out. Buy a new one , I don't think it has any bearing on your fault at all , but just stick a new filter on. I use Mann from euro car parts , register online, wait a day or 2 for the discount codes to be emailed to you & then buy 1/3 off by pre ordering the stuff you need ; rather than walking in off the street.

I usually pre order in the car park & then walk in

**Crasher** · 04-10-2016,01:25 PM

Originally Posted by niall campbell

I don't think it has any bearing on your fault at all

Have you seen the design of the fuel filter that is used on these, the 8E0 201 511 L? It is a four point unit with built in fuel pressure regulator and the unusual fourth fitting connects to the vent line which is where the fuel is dripping from...