Expert: Sean Halliday - 1/20/2009

Question
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and
respond.

2003 honda pilot EX with 84K miles.  I live in SF Bay Area.

Problem:  Off and on raw gas fumes in cabin in mornings when
engine is cold.  Sometimes smell continues to be noticeable even with engine warm and running for 30 minutes.  When it does occur, it is especially bad with heater fan or front defrost fan on.  Honda dealer said they checked fuel injectors and the gas line.  Could not find the problem.  They now propose doing a smoke test to look for leaks in the fuel line.  They claim they have not seen this problem before.  I just want it fixed and I don't want to spend money on a fruitless fishing expedition. It just seems to me that in order to smell raw gas fumes so strongly especially with fan on, that the gas would be coming from the engine compartment.  Occasionally I have smelled gas
fumes outside the car in the morning before starting the engine.  I park the car on the street.  I do not park the
car in my garage.  Again, this is an intermittent problem
and occurs with any amount of gas in tank.

I am going skiing on Saturday 01/24 and want this problem
fixed before leaving.

Google search found a 2004 honda pilot with a similar problem.  Although no final "fix" was posted.

This is the url I found for 2004 Pilot EX with gas fume problem:

http://www.hondasuv.com/members/showthread.php?p=301114

> one response dealt with evaporative charcoal cannister that may need replacement

> other response was from erniep who said that seal at top of gas tank may have broken.

I just spoke with Honda dealer where I bought my Pilot
in 2003.  Shop foreman there said that they have had similar problems with Honda Oddesseys when the gas filler pipe leaks although the check engine lite comes on with
this problem with no raw gas fumes in cabin.

He also said that the ORVR valve may need replacement.

I have "topped off" once or twice in the past, but not
recently as far as I recall.  Honda dealer assures me the
check engine lite would come on with gas in charcoal
evaporation cannister.

Could a problem with gas evaporation system produce raw
gas fumes in engine compartment?

Any and all ideas or suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanx again.  

Answer
Yes,any leak at the evap system will cause fumes in the cabin as the evap lines run all the way under the car and inside the engine compartment.A smoke test will confirm this.Im surprised your check engine light didnt come on if the evap has a leak it usually does.