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Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999-2004: Why is a Gas Smell Coming From My Car?

Unless you're in a gas station, a gas smell is the last thing you want to smell coming out of your Jeep Grand Cherokee. Here are some of the possible culprits.

By Bassem Girgis - October 7, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ (1999-2004).

When you smell gas in your car, you can't help but picture an explosion, and you should treat gas smells as such—we all know what gas can be capable of. Before you go selling your car for cheap, we will shine some light on some of the potential causes for such smell. You should rest assured that most of the time, a gas smell is a simple issue that can be fixed cheaply. It could be anything from a smell, rubber hose, to a leaking gas tank. Read on to learn how to get to the bottom of this.

Material Needed

  • Flashlight

Step 1 – Check gas cap

It could be missing.

This sounds too simple, but it is possible. You remove the gas cap often. Some people tend to put it on the gas pump as they fill their cars with gas and drive off without putting it back on. If that's the case, purchase another gas cap from any auto store and replace it.

Figure 1. Without a gas cap, nothing blocks the fumes.

Step 2 – Check fuel lines

They could be cracked or worn.

Some gas lines are made out of rubber. Over time, they crack and get worn, which results in a leak. A lot of of gas lines are steel, which can also leak when worn, especially around the area where it connects to other lines. Replacing them is easy, inexpensive and quick. You will need to check all your fuel lines and, most importantly, your fuel line connections for any signs of wetness. Crawl under your Jeep and follow the lines from your gas tank, all the way to the front.

Figure 2. Leaking fuel line.

Step 3 – Check fuel tank

It could be leaking.

This is an easy diagnostic. Grab your flashlight and crawl under your gas tank in the back of your Jeep. If you see any signs of wetness, then your gas tank is leaking. You can purchase a sealer to seal the leaking hole, and if it's too big to seal, you can always replace the whole gas tank.

Figure 3. Sign of a leaking gas tank.

Step 4 – Check fuel injectors

They could be leaking.

Check your fuel injectors under the hood to see if they're leaking. Usually, a leaking fuel injector leaks because of a bad seal or O-ring. So, if the seal is bad, try replacing just that and keep the injector. If your car is misfiring or not accelerating, then you might need to replace the injectors.

Figure 4. Check fuel injectors.

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