Subaru Fuel Smell Fix DIY

Parts used:
1/4" nylon reinforced ethenol rated fuel line
Fuel injection hose clamps
Common band clamps will work, but fuel injection clamps make a more even seal.
A common problem on Subaru's of the early 2000's. The weather turns cold, and you start getting a fuel vapor smell when you start the blower for heating or defrost. Usually this is a small leak in either one or two spots where a rubber hose attaches to the passenger side fuel rail. As usual, I didn't put much time into editing this video but all the information is there. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

[@657449]

Great video. I looked at mine yesterday and couldn't see any leaks. Thanks for showing me where to look. The engine is a rats nest of wires and hoses.

[@spdwebdotnet]

Thanks for watching.

[@Beandipilicious]

Great video! I'm having this exact problem and now know what to do.

[@TheOutdoorCanadian]

Was about to comment the same thing! Very useful video!

[@at1970]

It would be helpful to say what size and type tools you need and show the brackets etc coming off

[@spdwebdotnet]

Thanks for watching. I was unfortunately not really set up to take a video. Holding a phone in one hand to record it.

[@VinzTherailroader]

Awesome man thanks for sharing this..i have same issue smell gas inside if espicially on idle mode

[@MattJonesYT]

Be sure it's SAE J30R9 fuel line

[@ShelbySnowboards]

Exactly my issue. Thanks.

[@jgaffney6]

The bracket you removed. I drilled a hole in it but every winter I go around and tighten them especially by the filter no big deal

[@rauls054]

My sons car has that smell I’m going to check it out tomorrow. 2004 Outback

[@beefyvvl]

I have a smell from both sides on my 04 Forester. I hope this resolves the issue. It's not even cold in California lol.

[@bryanschulz1372]

Great video, I like your style!

[@StarveEgo]

Pulling the fuel injection fuse also helps to not get any spray back

[@spdwebdotnet]

Thanks for viewing! I would always recommend disconnecting the negative battery terminal when doing work under the hood (even though I don't always do it). This would stop any inadvertent short or energizing the system. The residual fuel pressure I mentioned would be in the system regardless after the vehicle was shut down whether the battery or fuse was pulled. It takes time for the pressure to be released back into the fuel tank. If you're in a hurry you could pull the fuel pump fuse and then crank the engine until it doesn't start. This would quickly release all the pressure by firing the injectors.

[@danrascal4045]

I wish I saw this video 4 years ago before I sold my Impreza which smelled fuel in cold weather.

[@Flat4_Life]

Any issues with your subaru ghrowing a p0065 code?

[@spdwebdotnet]

That's a weird one. Not talked about much. I've personally never seen this code on any of the Subarus I've owned but it is a standard OBD code. There was a re-flash of the ECU on certain years to take care of this. Mainly 2000 to 2002 model years if I recall. It's almost always a false code if the ECU hasn't been updated.

[@beefyvvl]

Did your reuse the same clamps or buy new ones? Are all the fuel lines 1/4"?

[@spdwebdotnet]

Hey, thanks for watching. I believe it was 1/4" fuel line yes. I honestly can't remember what the OEM clamps are. If they are spring clamps or fuel injection clamps. I prefer the fuel injection clamps. They may have another name. They are the ones with the two ears and a small bolt that goes through them. I do not recommend your standard radiator style hose clamp.. you know the ones with the worm screw that goes through the slotted holes in the band. They leave spots with no tension around them. I've had to do this same thing to a few Subarus I've owned so it's a problem with the factory setup. New lines and good clamps were always the fix.

[@stuffwithknayt]

Tysm for this video!

[@jgaffney6]

Great video Thanks

[@micartruckingllc]

Maybe I missed it, but what size hose?. My outback about kills me in the winter. I've taken it to a mechanic twice and they say no problem!!! Going on 4 years. Has 205000. Heads were done around 100k. Ty. Will be view your other vids. Ty

[@gmb75]

what size was it, ever figged that out?

[@_snotrocket_]

@@gmb75 1/4

[@jackbuckley6405]

mine was 5/16

[@gmb75]

my little hose get's wet as a mother. Exact same damn hose, 2001 outback

[@spdwebdotnet]

Some 1/4" fuel line and some fuel injection hose clamps will fix it right up. Regular hose clamps will work but the fuel injection clamps make a better seal.

[@troyc5994]

I wonder if one can do this without removing the rail, just cut the old rubber hoses off and use lube the slip the new ones on and split the difference in over lapping the hose on the tube and clamp everything down….

[@jackbuckley6405]

This is exactly what i just did. So far looks good but we’ll see when it’s 20° tomorrow morning

[@jonstowell9540]

What are the sizes of the sockets needed to loosen the bracket

[@spdwebdotnet]

Hmmm Can't remember those details but id be willing to bet w/o going out in a foot of snow and checking that they are 10mm.

[@theneanderthal6854]

Got a question do you know what causes bad fuel economy in this engine? And what causes engine oil to smell like gas?? 🙏

[@spdwebdotnet]

Is it running noticeable poorly? Lack of power? Black smoke from the exhaust or check engine light on? Sounds to me like it's running rich.. or has a misfire on one or more cylinders. If you load too much fuel up into the cylinders (rich condition) some will slip past the rings and dilute the oil. Same with a misfire. If there is an ignition problem on one or more cylinders and the fuel entering that cylinder isnt being ignited it will run past the rings and dilute the oil. Generally in either of these cases bad enough to cause oil dilution there would be a check engine light and a code stored that could point you in the right direction. The causes for this could be many many things.. leaky injector.. bad sensor.. bad coil.. low compression.. failed fuel pressure regulator.. Even if there is no check engine light on, a diagnostic with live data may be able to point something out. I would say you are running really rich air fuel ratio or the fuel is not properly being burned... for whatever reason.. that would cause both symptoms of oil dilution and poor fuel economy. The failed fuel pressure regulator is one that I have recently seen.. it was basically pulling raw fuel through the vacuum line and into the intake.

[@carrmann3038]

injector stuck open will cause this problem and pour gas into cylinder when key is on before engine starts and after shut off and it will leak through the piston rings into the oil.

[@M3LYM3LSZ]

2010 Impreza I replaced my spark plugs, engine coil and cat. My engine light is still on and says misfire 1, also a ammonia smell comes through the vents when I accelerate... what am I missing 😭

[@juanesparza8671]

Did you figure it out? Having same issue

[@mervalbudphelan5908]

Would my 08 Outback be the same? It's only when it's cold and I use defrost.

[@spdwebdotnet]

Thanks for viewing. This is usually a problem that shows up on the older early 2000 model Subarus. My ex's 2010 Impreza and my WRX did not have this issue. With that said, the fuel system is more or less the same. It may be worth checking around under the hood. When cold, turn the ignition on for about 10 seconds, back off, back on again to pressurize the system without starting the engine and then poke around under the hood with your nose. See if you can pinpoint the area its coming from. The reason you smell it when you are running the defrost is because it pulls air from the cowling under the windshield. Any fumes from under the hood will be pulled into the cabin.

[@mervalbudphelan5908]

Thank you!

[@andy0311co]

Do you have a part number for this?

[@theneanderthal6854]

Can a failing egr valve cause a rough idle at warm

[@nospeednaf]

yes it can!

[@cherierhodes2620]

Would this cause my check engine light to come on?

[@spdwebdotnet]

Hello, no that small of a leak would not trip any codes. If you are smelling fuel and your CEL is on then I would definitely pull the code to see what it is. Could be anything from running very rich because of a bad sensor to a problem with the EVAP system. As long as its running ok and not misfiring it should he safe to drive. If its running rough an misfiring then you want to have that checked. Make sure its not running so rich its washing the rings out.

[@cherierhodes2620]

@@spdwebdotnet thank you so much for the information! That has helped me tremendously!

[@artvandelay837]

is this the same locations as the recall?

[@spdwebdotnet]

Thanks for viewing. I'm not sure if this is the same location as the 02, 03 Impreza recall or not. That recall simply states "In cold climates a leak can develope where a metal line connects with a rubber hose" more than likely it's the same or similar problem as the Legacy or in this case the Baja. Appears to be in the same area. Why the recall was only issued for the WRX I am uncertain about as I have personally seen the same problem with just about every 2.5 turbo and non turbo in that year range..