tRIpPIn

Okay guys please don't laugh but would appreciate help being a single woman that does not want to look stupid when I take my car in for needed repairs. Recently when I start the idle is way too high and I smell gas fumes and the check engine soon light will come on for short periods of time. Seems using more gas than normal although havn't put many miles on it since this all started happening. Has about 125,000 miles on it. I just hate going in to car repair places and the guys always get a glazed look in their eyes when you try to explain what your car problem is. (no offense guys but it really is annoying) Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Manny_boy

High Idle and gas fumes could possibly be a leaking injector.

Does it stay at high idle, or does it fluctuate up and down, like it wants to stall? And how high is your idle? (900, 1200, 1500 RPM) and is it in park or drive?

High idle could also be a malfunctioning idle air control solenoid, an intake gasket leak, or a vacuum leak.

You mentioned lower gas mileage, when was the last tune-up, and was the oxygen sensor changed? (O2 sensors are "supposed" to be good for 75,000 miles, but if the last replacement was a bosch, they usually don't last that long.

tRIpPIn

Thanks for the reply Manny Boy. Ya know somebody else asked me about the RPM's and I really need to watch that and see because I had not noticed that yet.I did coast home the other day from the store going about 25 mph without hitting the gas........yikes.The high idle is all the time(park& in gear)and it does not act like it wants to stall. Needs a tune up I am sure. Time for inspection so I am going to have that done at same time.Not sure about the solenoid. Bought car from my brother about 2 years ago so will ask him.Anyways thanks again for the reply.