Brutal, my STR has a strong raw fuel smell for about 3-5 minutes after a cold start. It's quite bad and reminds me of my old VWs. Will replacing the cam covers solve this issue? If not any ideas? TIA!

 

no.
From exhaust? Or where

 

The fuel smell comes through the A/C vents. If I shut the climate control off I do not have an issue and it is very apparent on cold starts.

 

Well the oil in the intake is from the crankcase and does have combustion byproducts in it like unburned fuel. But that would be a streatch. Besides you have a v8 so is the back corner of the cam cover elaking oil. If so repalce the gaskets cause the spark plug wells my have oil in them too...

 

Okay forgive my ignorance as I am not mechanically inclined, but are the cam covers the same as the valve covers? Because I just had the valve cover gaskets replaced last month as well as all of the plugs changed out due to some oil being in there.

 

If it's fuel rather than oil (which doesn't smell much until heated a lot) - and I would expect your sense of smell is right - then it's something I'd worry about i.e. look hard to find. The fuel filter is hidden by the wheel arch (well) liner so I'm not sure its couplings could - even if leaking - be the cause, but it's worth checking. If not, I guess follow the fuel lines from there and check them very carefully.

 

Pushing_tin, since your question pretty much went a different direction than the original poster's thread topic, I split your comment, and the following posts off to a new thread. Please try to keep tangential issues in small proportions in another's thread.

Now, I have a 4.2 also, which recently had some raw fuel smell at very slow speeds...this may or may not help you, as I don't know if the s-type has the same fuel/emissions systems. But, nevertheless, my 03 fell into a range of VINs that suffered from a problematic purge control valve under the left front fender. Since I don't have a cabin air filter, and was running the heat at the time, it made total sense that I could smell this particular fuel smell from the firewall (LF fender) area. There was a TSB issued for it, and I am replacing the $60 part next weekend. My thread is here, in case you want to browse it.

 

Thanks for the info, I'll be very interested to see if that solved your issue. I try not to start new threads unless it's something that hasn't been addressed, and the OP had a similar issue as mine so I thought I'd pick the brain of any tech that was responding.

*edit* read your thread, I do not have any ticking or noises. Is there a TSB for the S Type as well for this issue?

 

pushing-tin, h2oboy mentioned what came to my mind...fuel evap canister hose off etc. You just changed the cam cover gaskets and plugs...sumtin got popped off.

 

BFS; bro I was thinking of the same exact thing! We must definitely be related from anotha motha! LOlZ.....But yeah the Evap Canister could be your culprit more than likely like Bfs said. Keep us updated

 

Thanks guys, I'll get it to the mechanic in the next month or so. Right now it's at the body shop having the front resprayed as the clear coat is peeling.

 

[QUOTE=Pushing_Tin;306252]Thanks guys, I'll get it to the mechanic in the next month or so. Right now it's at the body shop having the front resprayed as the clear coat is peeling.[/Q.
...May I ask whats the going rate for re-spraying the front end of your STR? The Clear Coat near the fog light on the drivers side is starting to peel on my STR as well

 

I'm getting the whole front end done for a little less than $600. Should have it back by Thursday.

 

Yo, what up jag79 yo!

 

Chilln like a Villn like you bruh.....

 

LOL! My kids keep me in touch with the latest lingo.

 

Hey Guys.....did you ever get to the bottom of this fuel smell issue? I've been battling with this for about a year now. It's not an issue whatsoever in the warmer months (even with the AC on). As soon as the temps drop (say below 50's) I get an overpowering fuel smell through the vents. Hitting the recirc button greatly reduces the problem. I've replaced the underhood evap recirc valve, and there are no obvious fuel leaks, underhood or anywhere else. Note that I am also having another problem which I am not sure is related. The motor appears to be starving for fuel at lower RPM's (especially in sport mode in 1st gear). I'm thinking the lower RPM fuel pump is on it's way out. Any help would be hugely appreciated.