# 2004 subaru outback gas smell

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-outback-gas-smell/81670>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** outback, subaru\
**Created:** [October 6, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-outback-gas-smell/81670 "2013-10-06T03:44:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![red6288](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ba9def/32.png) [@red6288](https://community.cartalk.com/u/red6288)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-outback-gas-smell/81670/1 "2013-10-06T03:44:30Z")

</div>

I have a 2004 subaru outback that smells of gas when the tank is filled. The smell persists for a couple of days after the tank is filled. It started in the spring and I brought it to the dealer but they couldn’t find anything. It seemed to go away during the summer but now that the colder weather has started the problem has returned.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 3:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-outback-gas-smell/81670/2 "2013-10-06T03:46:53Z")

</div>

No visible leaks? The gas cap seals are ok? Did they test the evap system purge valve?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 8:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-outback-gas-smell/81670/3 "2013-10-06T08:17:14Z")

</div>

@red6288

Have the shop perform an evap service bay test

Have shop look for leaks with the evap/smoke machine

It’s possible the fuel pump seal is leaking. If it is, the smell will only occur when the tank is full.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-outback-gas-smell/81670/4 "2013-10-06T17:48:56Z")

</div>

Do you continue to fill the gas tank after the the nozzle clicks off?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![red6288](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ba9def/32.png) [@red6288](https://community.cartalk.com/u/red6288)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2013, 11:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-outback-gas-smell/81670/5 "2013-10-06T23:40:36Z")

</div>

No, I do not continue to fill tank. I’m not exactly sure what they did when they looked at it. The check engine light is not on so I’m wondering if that means the gas cap and emissions canister are ok.

The smoke test sounds helpful.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-outback-gas-smell/81670/6 "2013-10-07T00:22:18Z")

</div>

The gas cap is a cheap fix. No need to replace the canister at this time.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andrewRA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@andrewRA](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrewRA)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2013, 6:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-subaru-outback-gas-smell/81670/7 "2013-10-09T06:37:18Z")

</div>

It is under your hood with the fuel lines related to cold weather.THey contract and stink.

There was a recall related to it way back when.