Smell of petrol.....

[wd40]

Having a spot of trouble with the wife's car, maybe someone could advise?

It's a 1.4 Polo 1998 Petrol, and when we drive it (though not every time) there is a fairly strong smell of petrol in the cabin. Mostly at the start of journeys and short journeys.

It's often also noticeable when we get back into the car after it has been stood over night.

The car has been checked three times now (two different garages) to no avail. It isn't using more fuel than normal.

They have advised they have checked the fuel lines and tank and there doesn't seem to be a leak. They did however find a snapped manifiod stud and replaced that and the gasket without asking.

I read somewhere that it could be a blocked breather pipe, so whipped the air filter assembly off today, air filter is fine and the connection into the housing is fine and not bunged up in any way.

I tried to blow into the breather pipe, but not altogether unsurprisingly I couldn't, I guess that could mean that it is blocked, or, it could mean it is not and engines are fairly airtight

I couldn't really get my hands round to the clip holding the breather pipe to the engine to release it. The pipe is fairly collapsed about half way down but does look like it would still allow sufficient flow.

Any ideas that may help anyone ?

Thanks in advance.

[pologt]

I think if it was a fuel line or tank leak you would smell it BEFORE you entered the car too? Where does it smell strongest?

If you smell it in the cabin with doors / windows closed it must be coming in the vents so I'd guess the leak is from front / engine compartment???

A small leak would evaporate fairly quickly if the car was hot and might not be spotted. Check the condition of the fuel filter and its connections.

Not sure about the tanks on those models but on the older ones it is the filler pipe that corrodes and is not obvious from underneath.

PS: is it definately petrol and not exhaust fumes?

[g40jon]

my 1st though was blocked breather hose in the engine. does it get worse when the heater/fan is on?
anothe possible is the fuel tank breather, as the tankin is under the back seat, might be worth having a look?