Is a distinct fuel smell on the trail normal ?

[Ole_Robby]

We have taken our 2024 2 door out just a couple of times since we bought it, as work has been really challenging. We had ARTEC full skid plates installed at the local 4x4 shop shortly after it arrived.

Each time we have had it out a bad fuel smell appears once on the trail.

Each time I filled up before setting out. Both times over mountain train > 6000 feet, both times the temperature was 85 or more.

We do go slow. After going over a few rocks and a bunch of bumping back and forth the fuel smell starts. This smell does not occur during street driving.

The question is,

Is this normal ?

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[yokramer]

I have never smelled fuel while out wheeling, Id have to say no not normal.

 

[John VonJeep]

I’ll occasionally get a fuel smell when I’m on a slow trail. I figure it’s some weird combination of heat, bumps, emissions, and unusual stress cycles for the engine. But I’m talking like a couple times a year. Every time? That don’t sound right.

 

[Remorseless]

That is definitely abnormal.

 

[Flip]

I never smelled fuel on the trail, I would say no.

 

[Ole_Robby]

I’ll occasionally get a fuel smell when I’m on a slow trail. I figure it’s some weird combination of heat, bumps, emissions, and unusual stress cycles for the engine. But I’m talking like a couple times a year. Every time? That don’t sound right.

Do you think starting with 3/4 fuel or less would be a good idea ?

 

[John VonJeep]

Do you think starting with 3/4 fuel or less would be a good idea ?

I honestly don’t know. I should emphasize that it’s a very faint and passing phenomenon for me. If you’re parked and continuously smell fuel, I’d say there’s something wrong. But it could be as simple as some emissions control weirdness.

 

[Remorseless]

I honestly don’t know. I should emphasize that it’s a very faint and passing phenomenon for me. If you’re parked and continuously smell fuel, I’d say there’s something wrong. But it could be as simple as some emissions control weirdness.

Maybe elevation change causing it?

 

[Camaroboi13]

Do you think starting with 3/4 fuel or less would be a good idea ?

Definitely worth a try. If you’re smelling raw fuel it’s coming from somewhere it’s not supposed to. Being topped off it might be spilling out of the top of the tank somewhere that you can’t see.

 

[John VonJeep]

Maybe elevation change causing it?

Now that you say that, it’s possible. This was with my Pentastars. Haven’t had el turbo out on los trails yet.

 

[Remorseless]

The thing that worries me is that a shop installed your Artec skids, which requires dropping the tank, and so there's no way to know if they screwed something up without pulling it apart and dropping the tank again. I definitely lean more towards it being a shop goof than anything, given the work that was done.

 

[Ole_Robby]

The thing that worries me is that a shop installed your Artec skids, which requires dropping the tank, and so there's no way to know if they screwed something up without pulling it apart and dropping the tank again. I definitely lean more towards it being a shop goof than anything, given the work that was done.

I suspect that his might be the case. I will head down there today and have a talk with them...

 

[yokramer]

Do you think starting with 3/4 fuel or less would be a good idea ?

You should never be smelling raw fuel outside of a gas station in a newer vehicle. There is something wrong somewhere along your fuel and/or EVAP systems. Go get it looked at.

 

[Heimkehr]

Agree, re: Smelling raw fuel in any circumstance, or use case, requires investigation and resolution. I don't even smell it during or after vigorous riding on the dual sport, which has the simplest fuel delivery configuration possible.

Possibly it's something as simple as the Jeep's tank being topped off, which you shouldn't ever do.

 

[ForgottenTaco]

Interesting. 2 threads from 2 different people about smelling fuel.

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