[Guards Red]

Hi everyone. I just picked up my 2017 718 S 2 days ago. It has only 14,500 miles on it and seems to run fine. However I've noticed a very strong fuel smell coming from the right side air intake, especially after the car has been shut off and particularly after the fans stop running. I took it to the dealer and they agreed about the smell (it's definitely not right), and they will take a look at it. While I was there a tech did a quick check and didn't spot anything obvious, and he also removed the cover in the front under the hood, checking the gas filler area. Nothing apparent there. No leaks can be seen under the car. Has anybody else had this issue, or any idea what it may be? It's still under warranty, so hopefully all will be rectified by the dealer soon enough. Just curious.

 

[roundtail]

Could be any one of a number of things, a seal, clamp, fitting, etc. Definitely a task for your dealer.

 

[Guards Red]

That's what I was thinking as well, and hopefully nothing serious such as a cracked pump, etc. I'll know more tomorrow and post what I find out. Being new to the 718 I wasn't sure if there was a known issue regarding this problem. Cheers!

 

[Viffermike]

That's what I was thinking as well, and hopefully nothing serious such as a cracked pump, etc. I'll know more tomorrow and post what I find out. Being new to the 718 I wasn't sure if there was a known issue regarding this problem. Cheers!

First I've heard of such an issue. I'm sure the dealer will get it sorted for you. Welcome to the forum!

 

[agent 86]

Occasionally (maybe 3 time since ownership), I have detected a "faint" smell of fuel. It seems to be on the driver's side of the car, but only when I'm in traffic. I have also detected a faint coolant smell, but again only in traffic and rarely. I blamed in on the car ahead of me.

There have not been any leaks on the garage floor, and I have not noticed the smell in the garage.

 

[agent 86]

Hi everyone. I just picked up my 2017 718 S 2 days ago. It has only 14,500 miles on it and seems to run fine. However I've noticed a very strong fuel smell coming from the right side air intake, especially after the car has been shut off and particularly after the fans stop running. I took it to the dealer and they agreed about the smell (it's definitely not right), and they will take a look at it. While I was there a tech did a quick check and didn't spot anything obvious, and he also removed the cover in the front under the hood, checking the gas filler area. Nothing apparent there. No leaks can be seen under the car. Has anybody else had this issue, or any idea what it may be? It's still under warranty, so hopefully all will be rectified by the dealer soon enough. Just curious.

Your car looks beautiful, btw. I don't recognize the rear painted diffuser, though? Is that the sport diffuser and does it have on on the front?

 

[Guards Red]

Occasionally (maybe 3 time since ownership), I have detected a "faint" smell of fuel. It seems to be on the driver's side of the car, but only when I'm in traffic. I have also detected a faint coolant smell, but again only in traffic and rarely. I blamed in on the car ahead of me.

There have not been any leaks on the garage floor, and I have not noticed the smell in the garage.

This seems like something else, as the fuel smell is pretty strong, and clearly coming from the right side intake area/rear wheel area. After driving, with the car is back in the garage, the smell is fairly strong, and definitely gasoline (no leaks on the floor). I'm still waiting to hear back from the dealer. I'm also asking them to take a look at the headlight covers--they have what looks like dust and small crazing/pitting on the INSIDE. I've read elsewhere in the forum about this, so hopefully it will be taken care of.

 

[Guards Red]

Your car looks beautiful, btw. I don't recognize the rear painted diffuser, though? Is that the sport diffuser and does it have on on the front?

The painted rear diffuser is a specific option on the order sheet, as are the painted "718 Cayman S". The front grill bars are not painted, but that may be had as well.

 

[Guards Red]

HOLY S*%!! Just spoke to my dealership about the fuel smell/odor issue. It was a good news, bad news conversation with my service manager. The good news, I'm covered under warranty. Now the bad...they found the leak, which is a defective fuel line/ brazed metal component, which has a small crack in it, deep inside the engine compartment. Defective from the factory. It was spraying fuel. The parts need to be ordered from Germany (1.5 weeks just to get the part). They will need to pull the complete engine out to access the broken line, and obviously a good bit of the suspension as well. I hope like heck it goes back together the same way it was assembled by the factory. They are putting a top mechanic with racing experience on it. I won't have my new car now for at least 3 weeks. I am worried about rattles and all the stuff that can go wrong once the car is taken apart. I've only had the car since last Saturday, and driven all of 40 miles. . P.S. no word yet on the pitting and crazing on the inside of the headlamp covers. I'll post when I get an answer.

 

[DriveInHouston]

The engine is designed to go out and then in in a 3 hour round trip. They are used to it. Digging up the defective part is another story...

 

[roundtail]

@Guards Red More good news: it didn't catch fire, neither with you inside or in your garage.

Here's hoping your repair goes well and the experience is all good from here on out.

 

[Guards Red]

Thanks. After talking to the tech he pretty much said the same thing. The engine is shoehorned in there, but no big deal to remove for these guys. The part has been ordered.

 

[RussellHodgson]

I'm sure they'll do a great job. I had my entire transmission replaced and that included removing the rear suspension as well. They did a fantastic job and the car was juts like new when they were done.

So, you've got nothing to worry about there.

Just glad they found the issue before it caused a massive fire in your car!

 

[Veets]

...I've noticed a very strong fuel smell coming from the right side air intake, especially after the car has been shut off and particularly after the fans stop running...No leaks can be seen under the car.

I brought my Boxster in twice for a strong fuel-like smell last winter. Pretty much the exact same symptoms except the smell is most noticeable from the left intake. Dealer checked it out thoroughly and found no fuel leak. They also put a gas analyzer into the intake and found no trace of hydrocarbons. Dealer claimed that any leak, even a small one, would generate an ECU code due to the pressure drop in the fuel system. The smell disappeared over the summer, but now that it's cold has returned. Seems to be most noticeable after the car is fully warmed up and sits for about 15 minutes after driving. This can be smelled from anywhere in my garage. It doesn't smell like raw fuel from a gas can, but it does resemble the aroma of evaporated fuel. The dealer told me it was hot engine smell. I don't know what it is, but have never smelled anything like this before. Now, after reading your post, I am questioning this diagnosis.

How did your dealer find the leak? Did your car throw any error codes?

 

[Guards Red]

My dealer was very thorough, first looking for something obvious both up front and around the right side intake where the smell was strongest. The smell was of raw gasoline, and fairly strong. Even a drop of gasoline can be noticed in an enclosed area like a garage. My car ran fine (no codes thrown interestingly). The tech removed the covers top and bottom, and in an area apparently very tough to get to they spotted a small leak somewhere near the fuel pump, in a line that had a brazed area (the end?)--they said it appeared to be a crack--they could actually see a bit of gas coming out, sure enough. They said it was an unusual problem, but not that big a deal to fix, just a lot of labor pulling the engine, suspension, plus alignment afterwards, etc. I wonder if your car has a similar issue, but with the leak in a different part of the line? Once my car cooled down, the gas evaporated and the smell dissipated. But for about 15-20 minutes after it was shut down it was strong. The big difference is the smell in my car was obviously raw gas.

 

[Guards Red]

I'm sure they'll do a great job. I had my entire transmission replaced and that included removing the rear suspension as well. They did a fantastic job and the car was juts like new when they were done.

So, you've got nothing to worry about there.

Just glad they found the issue before it caused a massive fire in your car!

Thanks Russell, it's reassuring to know your car was good as new. So glad my car didn't catch on fire. The hard part now will be waiting the 3 weeks or so to get it back. Winter is coming here in Pennsylvania, and it's 29 degrees outside now. I don't have plans on driving this car in bad weather.

 

[Veets]

Well, I now know that the dealer was blowing smoke about any fuel leak throwing a code. I kind of suspected that. But you are right about the smell being different. The techs didn't seem to think it was fuel either. Sure would like to know what it is though.

Congrats on the new Cayman. And you picked the best color too. IMHO.

 

[Guards Red]

Thank you, and good luck with your Boxster. Is it under warranty?

 

[Veets]

Thank you, and good luck with your Boxster. Is it under warranty?

Yes. Just under two years left. I've never been a believer in extended warranties. But I'm not sure I want to own one of these cars past the warranty date. Wondering what your repair would cost if you had to pay.

 

[Guards Red]

Yes. Just under two years left. I've never been a believer in extended warranties. But I'm not sure I want to own one of these cars past the warranty date. Wondering what your repair would cost if you had to pay.

Good question. I was wondering the same. I'll ask.