Strong fuel smell in cabin

[myles841]

Hi all,

Past week i have noticed a strong fuel smell in the cabin, ill just bullet point what i know so far.

• Strongest smell is when pulling off, cruising i cant smell anything
• car wont start first time when cold, usually a prime of the key it will fire up straight away. When warm, it fires up as normal. (guess its loosing pressure?)
• Open the bonnet and it smells badly down by the aux belt. Following the fuel line about half way down the block it meets some black sponge (in a recess) on the engine which is soaked in fuel.
• I'm not noticing any difference in fuel consumption or performance (return fuel line?)
• Flooring it close to redline the smell is very very strong!

Im hoping to look at this tomorrow but i am after some pointers from the experienced ones as i will only have the morning to try and source some parts.

The car is a 2005 Clio 182 phase 2

Cheers!

 

[piranhamatt]

In front of the front wheels. Behind the bumper are black box plastic canister things. To do with the fuel/vapour.
What is the condition like on them? Could be leaking from them or the insides

 

[myles841]

Cheers for the reply. Took the fuel line off and there was some chaffing about 2mm that cut into the pipe. New one from stealers was £33+VAT - yes, for about 3 feet of plastic pipe...