Faint fuel smell

Started smelling a faint fuel smell last couple of days. Mainly coming from drivers side. Not constant, typically after driven

Wife also reported issues filling up and pump clicking off with the set the handle method, worked when she held the pump. Filled fine for me last time I filled up.

I also saw this under the truck yesterday, crawled under there and can’t really tell if it’s oil and water or gas. Coming from underneath the front differential area / skid plate / cross member where there is some oil residue. It’s also been very wet and rainy here in Texas so I think there’s more moisture down there than there was after I got the oil leak fixed RMS


Parts replaced last 8k miles
- AC delco fuel filter
- AC delco fuel pump
- AC delco fuel cap

Checked all over the fuel lines and pressure regulator and don’t see any signs of leaks.

I just checked the solenoid on top of the intake manifold and it’s a DELPHI P/N 737312


I’m thinking it’s an EVAP system related issue but it’s not throwing any codes. Any other things I can troubleshoot?

I've tested those purge solenoids with a hand vacuum pump with a guage. I think they should hold something like 15-20 inches of Mercury of vacuum.

You can also apply 12VDC simultaneously and confirm the solenoid opens correctly.

I sometimes smell a bit of faint fuel on my 99 Silverado after driving it and it lives in my driveway. I've never looked up the specs, but I suspect GM changed the EVAP "decay rates" and stuff like that on the 03+, because those seem to have more EVAP related codes than the earlier models. The systems are similar, if not identical though. Again, just my theory...

stutaeng said:

I've tested those purge solenoids with a hand vacuum pump with a guage. I think they should hold something like 15-20 inches of Mercury of vacuum.

You can also apply 12VDC simultaneously and confirm the solenoid opens correctly.

I sometimes smell a bit of faint fuel on my 99 Silverado after driving it and it lives in my driveway. I've never looked up the specs, but I suspect GM changed the EVAP "decay rates" and stuff like that on the 03+, because those seem to have more EVAP related codes than the earlier models. The systems are similar, if not identical though. Again, just my theory...

Click to expand...

Thanks Stu. I blew in the solenoid and it was closed I could take a vac guage/pump to it this weekend

Appreciate the info.. I’m paranoid with fuel smells after my bronco sprung a fuel leak AND my wife and 4 kids are driving this Burb

You should look at the vent solenoid next to the gas tank inside the frame rail. That’s the usual cause for the clicking off at the pump

Pumping fine for me last two fill up’s. Guessing user error on the “bad” one.
Think we’re good to go