gas smell

I have a 95 Sable and at times it smells like raw gas inside the passenger compartment. I've had it on the lift, spent hours looking for a leak and nothing. There are times it doesn't smell then all of a sudden it smells llike gas is leaking arouynd the engine and the fumes come into the car. I've let it run and checked all hoses, fittings and I can not see anything. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this or have an idea what could be causing it? Its a 6cyl with feul injection if that helps any. thanks for any input anyone can give me, my wife is afraid its going to blow up!! oh yeah, I also was told it was buring rich due to the exhaust pipe being dark?

I can't tell you where the smell is coming from, perhaps the fuel vapour cannister, perhaps the fuel pump is sweating at a return line above the tank. I am not aware of any common fuel leaks on these. Also check to be sure the pcv valve is properly installed.

For the tailpipe being black inside, they usually are.

Hi there,

I had the EXACT same problem with my 88 Sable, after taking it to a shop, they said they couldn't find any leak, but I knew what I was smelling inside the car, especially with the AC on, could also smell fuel under the hood. Anyway, I traced the lines coming from the charcoal canister, there was a (rigid plastic) line coming from it that ran underneath the radiator, and was routed along the edge of the passenger side fender, it was broken in an area right underneath the alternator, luckily I could see the break. I put a short piece of 1/8" tubing over both ends of the break, and *BAM*, problem solved! BTW, this was after I replaced the injector seals (thinking they were leaking).
Hope this helps, good luck!

When checking for the source of the fumes, did you use a gas analyzer (smog machine in manual mode)? Be aware that hoses can deteriorate from the inside and may not show signs of cracking on the outside.

I have a 2000 Sable and just recently began smelling (faintly) gas when I start the car. It does not occur everytime and only last a few seconds. I do not smell it while driving. I have checked under the hood but find no leaks.

acme52, you might have a cylinder not sparking and you smell the gas going out the exhaust? Sometimes when a sparkplug wire starts to go bad with a break inside it, as it warms up, the wire makes contact again, allowing the plug to start sparking. Start your car and try to find the source of the gas smell. Near the engine, near the fuel filter/gas tank (passenger side under the car just in front of the rear wheel), the fuel filler inlet or out the exhaust. A general location will help with diagnosis.