Fuel smell on startup

I have a 996 C4. 1999. had a really bad fuel smell. So I had the fuel rail replaced (gulp, cost a bit). Since then, I still get quite a strong fuel smell on start up and idle. Drive for 10 mins stop and sniff, its gone (before I had the fuel rail replaced it was constant). I can't believe the start up fuel smell I get is normal. However I did read somewhere a small amount is normal. But its almost too much to stand next to the car right after start. It does seem to go away though. Any ideas? Its either: The guys who did the fuel rail didn't get it quite right and there is still a small leak. Its normal and my nose is over sensitive. There is another fuel issue. I'm not losing fuel by the way. MPG is good and the tank level stays as is. Any help would be great!

there should never be a fuel smell in the car, unless there is an issue, it could be a couple of issues as covered by H Thread '996 Strong petrol smell - offside front' 5 May 2019 Morning all Took my C4S out for a run to Goodwood yesterday - a good 70-80 miles or so. All was good with the world. 3 miles from home I decided to fill up and when I got back in the cabin I could smell petrol fumes which I put down to me spilling a few drops around the filler. Drove home with the windows open and had a look around the car when I got home and there was a strong fuel smell around the offside wheel well - accentuated by the fact the fans were on. Put it back in the garage (leaving the door open to vent) and when I went back a couple of hours later it was still... Hamblemark Replies: 13 Forum: Porsche 911 996 (1997-2005) J Thread '996 Fuel smell' 22 Jun 2016 I have noticed a strong smell of petrol recently outside the car, happens after a drive and then dissappears. Can anyone give me any ideas of where to start? I have noticed in the paperwork with the car a similar fault was investigated in 2011 with a new fuel cap but it looks fine. Happy to replace as not expensive but wondered if it could be something else this time. Jay Man Replies: 13 Forum: Porsche 911 996 (1997-2005) Thread '996 Fuel smell in cabin' 30 Dec 2021 I have an intermittent fuel smell in the cabin after filling the car, sometimes from full to half a tank, but other times around the 3/4 tank mark. I've replaced the fuel filler cap as the sealing gasket had deteriorated, but this hasn't cured the issue. There's no sign of any fuel spillage around the filler neck either. Any ideas? Thanks. sparkywig Replies: 7 Forum: Porsche 911 996 (1997-2005)

My C2 has the strong fuel smell and it turned out to be the Offside Fuel rail, replaced and the problem went away. I assume from the ‘gulp’ comment that you paid for new fuel rails (I feel your pain!) so they shouldn’t be causing a problem if the car is running well. If you put a 2nd hand set on then maybe there is a leak around the rubber pipes or there’s a pin hole somewhere. If you jack the car up you can see the fuel rails ends and could possibly locate a leak. I wouldn’t drive the car as fuel & hot exhausts close by isn’t a good mix.

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Sorry, should have said. The smell is not inside the car. Its outside.

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Yes, fuel rail was engine out job! I reckon it could be some pinhole issue somewhere. Definitely outside the car, not inside. I think I need to get the garage to check it out. Thanks mate!

Thought I would update on my experience. I still haven’t got to the bottom of my fuel smell flagged by the admin. A garage rebuild and covid meant my car went into storage. It got recommissioned and came home once the garage was done and the next time I filled it up to the brim, when I came back from paying I could see fuel dripping out from the front right. I moved it away from the pumps and left it for a bit and it stopped. Drove it home gingerly and no more leaks or drips. I suspect that one of the seals in the pipe from the tank to the filler cap may have gone and it leaked when the tank was full to the brim then vented fumes thereafter. Long story short, the car hasn’t moved since thanks to the big c deciding to intervene (clear now thankfully) and life in general. But I plan to get to the bottom of it this spring if I can. Will update when I resolve.

When it happened to my 996 it was the injector tube seals or similar, but it was like “oh Christ the car will go on fire bad”, not just a whiff At startup on these big old engines they massively overfuel, so yes it’s common to smell a bit at cold start - but not at warm start

No need to take the engine out for fuel rail replacement, it's only 2 m6 ten millimetre bolts that hold it on, you can just lower the engine off the rear mounts with a trolley jack enough to get them. remove the rear wheel and silencer and there's plenty of room.

where is the smell coming from, the engine bay or the exhaust? if exhaust it could isimply be the cold start tune

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Thanks @nebpor I had read its normal, but its quite a strong whiff. I can't imagine standing in the Porsche showroom in 1999 with £60k to spend and smelling that when they start it up! It does go away once warm so I'm not that worried but wonder if a small drip is damaging other components.

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Its the rear of the car. I guess I need to get under it to have a closer look.

In fairness my 996 turbo is gruff as they come when cold starting and whilst there are petrol exhaust fumes, I wouldn’t describe it as a smell of petrol It does sound like it needs an expert eye looking at it in case either the fuel rail wasn’t fitted perfectly, or there is another leak somewhere

Injector clip not fitted correctly or possibly a dodgy injector o-ring?

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That’s what was wrong with mine - injector o-ring, you triggered my memory!

Check your petrol cap. Simple but I know a few 986 owners who had whiffs that were caused by rubber seal deterioration on the cap. Or even just not clicking it fully shut.