The smell of gasoline appearing in the car cabin is not a normal phenomenon. If the smell is strong or persistent, the driver needs to stop the car for inspection instead of continuing to use it.
According to a car repair technician at Ninety Eight Auto (Cat Lai ward, Ho Chi Minh City), the smell of gasoline entering the cabin may be related to the fuel system or fuel vapor control system (EVAP). The fuel system is responsible for storing and supplying fuel to the engine, while EVAP controls the amount of gasoline vapor generated in the tank and fuel line, limiting fuel vapor from escaping directly into the environment.
In principle, the fuel system must be controlled to limit leaks of liquid fuel and fuel vapor. When the pipe, connector or a part is exposed, fuel or gasoline vapor can escape. If the source of odor is near the external ventilation area of the air conditioning system, gasoline vapor can follow the airflow into the cabin.
A simple reason that needs to be checked in advance is that the fuel tank cap is not closed after refueling. When the cap is not closed, gasoline vapor may escape and in some conditions may be sucked into the cabin.
In addition, technicians recommend checking fuel pipes, connectors, fuel pump areas, fuel tanks and parts of the EVAP system.
If signs of fuel leakage or a strong gasoline smell are detected, vehicle owners should not continue operating to avoid making the situation more serious.
In particular, liquid fuel leaks pose a risk of fire because gasoline may come into contact with high-temperature surfaces or spark sources. When moving and detecting an unusual gasoline smell, drivers should quickly find a safe location to stop the vehicle, turn off the engine and stay away from flame sources.
If the cause has not been determined, continuing to drive for "further monitoring" is not a safe choice. The car should be taken to a repair facility to check the fuel system and EVAP, accurately identify the location of the odor and handle it before continuing to use.
