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by Eddie Carrara

I’ve been working on cars for over 35 years.

I’m an ASE-Certified Master Technician, and I’ve spent most of my life diagnosing and repairing vehicles—starting right out of high school and continuing ever since.

But this site isn’t about me.

It’s about helping you understand your car—and avoiding unnecessary repairs.

Eddie Carrara

2002 suzucki XL7 Gas Smell

by Jsph Hagan
(Tucson)

Summer time, when temp is "HOT" I smell gas fume inside my vehicle. I don't see any fuel leaks! I had somebody do something to fix it 2 years ago, and thought it was gone forever, but now forgot who did what to fix it and I don't remember what I did with receipt. I need help, does anyone have any idea what would cause this to happen?


Hi Jsph,
It's possible there is a fuel leak on top of your fuel tank that you cant see. Another possible issue is the charcoal canister is saturated or it is venting to the atmosphere. The last possibility is you may have an exhaust leak at the manifold and the smell is coming in from the fresh air intake at the bottom of the windshield. Let me know if any of these could be a possibility, thanks.

Eddie Carrara

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Nov 04, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		2003 Suzuki Aerio SX gas smell at times and car jerking and dying at times
by: Lisa

Hi Eddie,

I have gas smell at times in my Suzuki AERIO SX 2003, but it usually happens after the car jerks and bucks about three times in a row and at times the car dies down even when in drive. So I put it in park and shut it off and then start it up and it goes again. But its very scary that it dies sometimes when driving, or when at a stop and then taking off and I have had it checked by two guys who can't find any fuel leaks.. The guess at this point is that it is possibly the Purge Control Solenoid Valve, or evap canister. Do you have any ideas what would cause these two things to happen basically at the same time?? Can a Purge Control Solenoid Valve that is not working right cause the problems that I said I have with the gas fumes in the car periodically and also the car jerking and bucking and sometimes dying down and not going because it seems it is not getting the gas maybe???

I did notice that if I used 89 Octane gas that the car jerks and bucks and dies a little less often. :) I have been dealing with this for a month and a half and its kind of scary! I hope maybe someone here can help. Thank You,Lisa :)
Nov 17, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Lisa, engine bucking and dies
by: Eddie

Hi Lisa,
Sorry for the late response, I don't use this comment box much. I doubt the purge control valve is causing the problem, it really has nothing to do with the engine getting fuel, and it sounds like your engine is either starving for fuel from a failing fuel pump, or has an ignition problem like a bad coil or plugs, it may even be a mass air flow sensor in the air intake box. The purge control valve only purges excessive gas fumes from the charcoal canister to the engine to be burned, it really can make the engine buck or stall.
Finding this problem will be difficult unless it happens all the time and is easy to reproduce. Let me know if you have any other questions Lisa.

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This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

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