Peugeot 406 - petrol smell

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Thu 24 Jun 2004 00:56
Peugeot 406 - petrol smell - Martin Wall
Friend has a 406 that seems to smell strongly of petrol inside at times - especially if he fills the tank up fully.

What could be causing this?
What's the fix?

thanks!
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Thu 24 Jun 2004 10:59
Peugeot 406 - petrol smell - balford
Most likely the fuel gauge sender unit screwed into the top of the tank is loose and is allowing fuel to seep out. This can be seen by removing the base of the back seat and then removing the black plastic sealing cap.

The smell will seem stronger when the tank is full as petrol will spill out from the unsealed joint between the sender and the tank. Usually you'll just get fumes.

Fix is obviously to make sure the fuel gauge sender unit is nice and tightly screwed into the tank.
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Thu 24 Jun 2004 12:45
Peugeot 406 - petrol smell - Andrew-T
(if the car has a sunroof) does the smell have any connection with the roof being open? I have had that problem with 205s and a Punto. It is caused by aerodynamic suction and the fumes may come from the engine compartment, but also from the tank-sender (as mentioned) or around the filler neck. I believe the Punto has a relief valve there which can cause the problem.
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Sat 26 Jun 2004 11:09
Peugeot 406 - petrol smell - Martin Wall
Thanks for the replies - Ive let my friend know. His car doesn't have a sunroof so it looks as though he'll have to remove part of his back seat to get at the fuel tank sender unit - is this easy to do as he isn't mechanically minded?
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Sat 26 Jun 2004 23:12
Peugeot 406 - petrol smell - BobC
If the fuel filler pipe layout of the 406 is similar to the 405, it would be worth examining the pipe carefully for damage. My 1994 405 suffered impact damage to the filler pipe by something thrown up by the offside rear wheel. It was a "dent" in the plastic which caused a tiny fracture through the pipe wall. Petrol only seeped from the fracture when the tank was full or the car pointing uphill. I repaired it in-situ using a product called Auto Weld (2 part epoxy filler). It has not leaked since.
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