I need some help Suby guys!

[Applejack]

I have having an issue with my wife's 2005 WRX. When the fuel tank is full and until you use about 1/8 of the tank, the gas fumes are very strong outside the car. Anyone else experience this?

 

[Dale]

My 2001 Outback fuel line fittings leaked when it was cold. A little more torque solved the leaks.

 

[Martyn]

You could have a small hole in the filler tube, a hole in the top of the tank, or a loose line to the charcoal canister. I think Dale's thinking is good, start out by tightening all the connections first to see if that solves the issue.

 

[Applejack]

Thanx, I'll check those. it has been very cold these past few days with the highs barely reaching 30.

 

[compactcamping]

On my '06 Outback Sport, there will be a faint gas smell outside the vehicle sometimes when it 95+ degrees out. I couldn't find any sign of leaks, assumed it was some fumes making it by the charcoal canister.

 

[Maddmatt]

Same here, also '01 Outback - when its very cold (less than 10 or so) the gas smell is very strong. While its that cold, with the engine running, open the hood. Then take a rag and start carefully cleaning the fuel lines - on mine it was pretty obvious which were leaking once I used the rag. Small adjustments to the fittings on either end of the suspect lines fixed the problems. Reappears every 2nd or 3rd year. Hope that helps.

 

[djrez4]

If it's under the hood, it's a known issue with Subaru engines.

You can't fix it by tightening the fittings. The problem is under the intake manifold on one of the pipe/rubber hose junctions between the fuel rails. The pipe does not insert far enough into the rubber hose and when the hose shrinks from the cold, fuel leaks out.

Subaru issued a service bulletin on 4/1/03 regarding this issue (link). To fix it, you'll need parts #17544AA134 (new pipe) and #807707140 (new hose).

However, Subaru says the issue was fixed after engine #673467, so you shouldn't be having the issue with a 2005 model and it may be a charcoal canister issue. The canister is designed to absorb the fumes from a full tank. Sometimes you can knock off one of the hose connections. Look under the vehicle, passenger side, behind the rear wheel, and there should be a black box with a couple of hoses clamped to it. Make sure they're connected.

 

[Rattler]

If it's under the hood, it's a known issue with Subaru engines.

You can't fix it by tightening the fittings. The problem is under the intake manifold on one of the pipe/rubber hose junctions between the fuel rails. The pipe does not insert far enough into the rubber hose and when the hose shrinks from the cold, fuel leaks out.

Subaru issued a service bulletin on 4/1/03 regarding this issue (link). To fix it, you'll need parts #17544AA134 (new pipe) and #807707140 (new hose).

I believe that was the issue I had with my '02 bugeye WRX. Without going into details, it cost a service manager his job.

 

[djrez4]

There is now a recall out about the WRX motor.

Subaru Recall Campaign WVK-21

Dear Subaru Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Subaru of America, Inc. has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2002 & 2003 model year Subaru WRX vehicles that are currently registered in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY DEFECT
Subaru has determined that in extremely cold outside temperatures, fuel seepage can occur from a fuel delivery line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SAFETY HAZARD
The affected fuel line is located under the engine intake manifold. Especially during engine start-up in cold temperatures, fuel may seep around the seals between the metal fuel line and the rubber hose. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

REPAIRS
To correct this condition, Subaru will replace the fuel line and hose with a later production version that has a longer rubber hose segment.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
You should immediately contact your Subaru dealer for an appointment to have the fuel line replaced. Please tell the dealer if you have noticed any smell of gasoline in the past when starting up in cold weather.

HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE?
The actual time to replace the fuel line is approximately 2 1/2 hours. This will typically make it necessary for you to leave your vehicle for a longer period of time on the day of your scheduled appointment to allow your dealer some flexibility in scheduling and completing the repair.

IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR A REPAIR
In the event that you have already paid for repairs associated with this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement consideration will be based on the amount an authorized Subaru dealer in your area would charge for replacement of the fuel line and hose. Please send the original service repair order, which has complete information including the name of the repair facility, date of repair, mileage at the time of repair, complete vehicle identification number (17 digits), and your name, with correct mailing address and telephone number to the address listed below.

Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Dealer Services Department
Attention: WVK -21 Recall
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured that we will attempt to process your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but may take up to 60 days for this process to be completed.

IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE:
To locate the nearest Subaru dealer, you can access our website at http://www.subaru.com and select “Find a Dealer”.

If you need additional assistance, please contact us directly:
• Telephone: 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) Monday through Thursday between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST and Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST.
• E-mail: Go to http://www.subaru.com and select “Contact Us”.
• U.S. Postal mail: Write us at Subaru of America, Inc., Attn: CDS Department, P.O. Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000.

Please contact us immediately if the dealer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge. You may also contact the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or go to http://www.safercar.gov if you believe the dealer has failed or is unable to remedy your vehicle without charge within a reasonable amount of time.

Your continued satisfaction with your Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and your vehicle’s proper operation. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause.

Sincerely,
Subaru of America, Inc.

 

[Rattler]

There is now a recall out about the WRX motor.

Too bad it wasn't a recall that the gas pedal should not be pushed by anyone under the age of 25. I might still have mine then. Kids killed a decent insurance rate on them from when I first had mine.

 

[djrez4]

Too bad it wasn't a recall that the gas pedal should not be pushed by anyone under the age of 25. I might still have mine then. Kids killed a decent insurance rate on them from when I first had mine.

That shouldn't have been a manufacturer's recall. It should have been a parenting recall.

 

[Rattler]

That shouldn't have been a manufacturer's recall. It should have been a parenting recall.

Very true. I think a month after they came out I read an article about some $$$ kid getting killed in a wreck with his. I can hear the kids now "But mom, dad, its a 4-door Subaru. How dangerous can it be?"

I know it didn't take much to make them really haul. All I added was a boost controller, uppipe & downpipe and I was running low & mid 13s without even tearing up my clutch.