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Fuel smell: Codes, Causes & Fixes

A faint fuel smell after refueling often comes from the evaporative emission system – a loose gas cap, a leaking purge or vent valve or a cracked EVAP hose – and may come with codes in the P0440–P0457 range. A strong raw fuel smell, especially with visible drips under the car or from the engine bay, can mean a leaking fuel line or injector seal and is a fire risk. In that case do not start the engine, keep ignition sources away and have the vehicle inspected or towed.

34Codes
2.3Average severity
6%High or critical
32%DIY-friendly
Severity distributionSeverity distribution

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P0300 Powertrain The engine computer sees misfires that jump between cylinders or hit several cylinders at once. High P0172 Powertrain The engine computer is pulling as much fuel as it's allowed on bank 1 and the mixture is still… Moderate P0442 Powertrain The EVAP system leaks through an opening of about 0.040 inch — a cracked hose, loose joint… Minor P0457 Powertrain The EVAP leak test found the system wide open — almost always a loose, missing or worn gas cap. Minor P1456 Honda · Powertrain Honda's EVAP test found a vapor leak on the fuel tank side of the system. Low P0455 Powertrain The fuel vapor system can't hold vacuum at all — check the gas cap first, then hoses and valves. Low

All codes (12)

All Severity 3+ Severity 4+
P0088 Powertrain Rail pressure is running well above the value the engine computer is commanding. Moderate P0093 Powertrain Rail pressure is dropping faster than injection explains: fuel may be escaping. Stop and check… Critical P0108 Powertrain The MAP signal is pinned near 5 volts, so the PCM sees impossibly high manifold pressure even… Moderate P0132 Powertrain The upstream oxygen sensor on bank 1 reads too high: the engine is running rich or the signal… Moderate P0152 Powertrain Bank 2's front O2 sensor is pinned high – usually voltage leaking in from its heater wire… Moderate P0172 Powertrain The engine computer is pulling as much fuel as it's allowed on bank 1 and the mixture is still… Moderate P0175 Powertrain Bank 2 is still running rich even though the PCM is already cutting fuel on that side as far as… Moderate P0207 Powertrain The ECU lost normal control of injector 7, which only exists on V8 and larger engines. Moderate P0232 Powertrain The fuel pump feed wire has voltage on it when the engine computer has switched the pump off. Moderate P0300 Powertrain The engine computer sees misfires that jump between cylinders or hit several cylinders at once. High P2178 Powertrain Above idle, bank 1 carries more fuel than the PCM asked for, and pulling fuel out no longer… Moderate P2188 Powertrain At idle, bank 1 gets extra fuel from somewhere the PCM doesn't control; above idle the mixture… Moderate

Symptoms

Check engine light on 558Loss of power 214Rough idle 184Limp mode 165Poor fuel economy 146Engine stalling 133Car won't start 123Harsh or slipping shifts 80ABS / traction light on 65Check engine light flashing 22