Hello All,

Help me figure this out since my mechanic claims to have only found a power steering fluid leak.

This winter I've noticed a smell of fuel in the cabin while driving. It's strongest in the mornings and so strong that it can be nauseating and headache inducing. I'm speculating that this smell only occurs after the Jeep has been allowed to sit for 2 or more days since that's when I tend to pick up on it.

This morning, I go to take her in for some new tires and the smell is the most overwhelming it has ever been. The car sat in idle for a period of time this AM before being driven and this seemed to help amp up the odor because the fuel smell was heavy even outside of the vehicle. In addition to this, there was a noticeable drip coming from under the car on the front driver's side, either dead center to or slightly further back than the tire. I popped the hood and two fuel injectors were also emitting white smoke.

We took the chance on being set ablaze and drove it to the shop just for them to tell us they can't find any fuel issues and all they found was a power steering fluid leak. Given the age of the vehicle, that wouldn't surprise me, but you can't mistake the smell of fuel.

I also put a napkin down where the drip had been leaking and a clear fluid was the only thing it soaked up. It did also have a fuel odor.

Does this make any sense? How the hell could they not have found something? Any ideas?

 

Well, initially I thought the clear dripping fluid might have been AC water, however you state it has a fuel odor. Not sure why they can't find a leak, since it sounds like it should be pooring out somewhere. I strongly suggest you do not drive it untill this has been sorted. Is it still at that shop?
Pop the hood, and turn the key to on (NOT start), see if by priming the fuelpump (bringing it up to pressure) you can detect the leak. Check the fuel rail, injectors etc.
By what you describe it should really be quite obvious to find, since fuel lines do not run inside/hidden.

 

Stock injectors are known to leak, check that out

 

Kinda curious how this is going....are you still with us, or do we soon read about
" mysterious burned-out cherokee leaves local residents with many questions" ?

 

One month later...still no news....

 

Don't get your hopes up buddy, most accounts on this site post a handful of times and disappear forever.

Maybe lit a cig while going over a big bump like our other friend?

 

lol...yeah, eventually it will sort itself out..
But you know, all the questions, the open ends....the unknown....I..cant take it anymore...need...answers...this...the unanswered "what happened"....snif...


But voila, I'm already over it. Next!

 

No one else wondering why the OP didn't bother to look up when they placed napkin, I am.
I know I should have been a detective.

 

We'll never know the answer by the looks of it...

 

Good call Columbo. The obvious eludes more and more people each day...............

 

I think the fact that he said he saw smoke coming from around the injectors was a good sign as well...

 

Check all fuel lines ,could be worn out and cracked (rubber ones)Fuel filter too

 

I'm sure it ended well.

 

Haha,..closure...

 

I'm still around, I just don't get messages about new comments on this board as frequently as I should. Literally today was my first notification since I posted and it stated I had "10 new posts".

Unfortunately the problem has yet to spring up again as strongly as it did that day. I do still smell a faint fuel odor rarely, but there's no longer any fluid on the ground.

I'm enrolled in 13, yes 13 classes this semester so things unfortunately get pushed aside when they aren't a complete and direct inconvenience. I'm just used to the Jeep throwing out issues at me that suddenly resolve themselves.

I wish I had something better to tell you guys.