Hey everyone, I’ve been reading a lot of posts on here since we bought our 2004 Lincoln LS V6 a week ago. It only has 68,000 miles on it. Here is some background and what’s already been done.
After buying the vehicle and driving it about 100 miles non stop on the interstate the gas gauge started showing empty (it was not empty). About 120 miles later the vehicle had a significant decrease in power, it dropped to about 1,000 rpm and when I pressed the gas it dropped further to 500 rpm. I was able to “limp” to a gas station and filled it up. Had no further issues for the remainder of the trip.
The next morning after driving for about 2 miles a very strong gasoline smell was evident inside the vehicle and coming out of the exhaust. A code reader showed a fuel pump code and a fuel pressure regulator code.
After a lot of research, I replaced the coil packs, spark plugs, PCV valve, fuel pressure regulator sensor, and intake manifold gaskets and did an oil change because the oil had a very strong smell of gasoline. The pcv valve was definitely bad. There was zero tension on the spring.
After a good test drive the gas smell was gone from the exhaust and the car was running great, but the gasoline smell was still evident under the back seat and outside the vehicle by the driver side rear door. The previous owner claims they replaced the fuel pump and I believe that they at least messed with them since the blue pump rings were cleaned and the tops of the pumps were clean.
After climbing under the rear of the vehicle I saw what I believe to be an evap hose coming down the front of the fuel tank was clogged with dirt. I cleared the clog.
The vehicle was then driven over 800 miles nonstop on the interstate, but we kept the fuel tank at above half full the whole way (fuel gauge has not acted up since the first time). No gas smell, vehicle ran excellent the whole trip.
Vehicle was driven another 160 miles the next day but we wanted to test the fuel issue so we let it dip to a quarter of a tank. Again no issues. Filled it up and drove it another 20 miles. Vehicle sat for several hours and was then driven a short distance to run an errand. After getting home, the gas smell from the exterior around the back doors had returned. Still no smell in exhaust, no warning lights and the car runs great.
My gut tells me it’s an evap system issue, but it’s not throwing any codes.
What do you guys think the issue is? There’s no evidence of a fuel leak and because the smell is intermittent I really don’t think it’s a fuel leak.
Thanks in advance for your insight.
After buying the vehicle and driving it about 100 miles non stop on the interstate the gas gauge started showing empty (it was not empty). About 120 miles later the vehicle had a significant decrease in power, it dropped to about 1,000 rpm and when I pressed the gas it dropped further to 500 rpm. I was able to “limp” to a gas station and filled it up. Had no further issues for the remainder of the trip.
The next morning after driving for about 2 miles a very strong gasoline smell was evident inside the vehicle and coming out of the exhaust. A code reader showed a fuel pump code and a fuel pressure regulator code.
After a lot of research, I replaced the coil packs, spark plugs, PCV valve, fuel pressure regulator sensor, and intake manifold gaskets and did an oil change because the oil had a very strong smell of gasoline. The pcv valve was definitely bad. There was zero tension on the spring.
After a good test drive the gas smell was gone from the exhaust and the car was running great, but the gasoline smell was still evident under the back seat and outside the vehicle by the driver side rear door. The previous owner claims they replaced the fuel pump and I believe that they at least messed with them since the blue pump rings were cleaned and the tops of the pumps were clean.
After climbing under the rear of the vehicle I saw what I believe to be an evap hose coming down the front of the fuel tank was clogged with dirt. I cleared the clog.
The vehicle was then driven over 800 miles nonstop on the interstate, but we kept the fuel tank at above half full the whole way (fuel gauge has not acted up since the first time). No gas smell, vehicle ran excellent the whole trip.
Vehicle was driven another 160 miles the next day but we wanted to test the fuel issue so we let it dip to a quarter of a tank. Again no issues. Filled it up and drove it another 20 miles. Vehicle sat for several hours and was then driven a short distance to run an errand. After getting home, the gas smell from the exterior around the back doors had returned. Still no smell in exhaust, no warning lights and the car runs great.
My gut tells me it’s an evap system issue, but it’s not throwing any codes.
What do you guys think the issue is? There’s no evidence of a fuel leak and because the smell is intermittent I really don’t think it’s a fuel leak.
Thanks in advance for your insight.
