I have a 2006 LT with 145k on it. We just noticed the faint smell of gas ,off an on ,when approaching the car. But not every time. I can't find a leak anywhere. There is also no gas stain on the ground . Car is running perfect. Had it on a lift, and couldn't see any leaks. Any ideas what I might look for?

 

Check for a leak under the car, passengers side, just in front of the rear tire. A few people living in the snow/salt belt have encountered rusted thru fuel lines (a common problem on a lot of older different vehicles residing in a snow/salt belt).

whoops - my bad - DRIVERS side!!!!!

Here are a couple related links to read up on (courtesy of the SEARCH TOOL at the top of the page):
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...-merged-54862/
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...ck-tire-49784/

If no leak found - check gas cap, although I suspect that a leaking gas cap should throw a code. Also, pop the hood, and take a quick sniff to see if it is in the engine bay.

 

May be the EVAP charcoal canister valve, or the tubing. That should cause a code though.

 

a valid point Don, and something that might bear investigating if the fuel line leak isn't a valid culprit.

Michigan is the land of "Fender Solvent" and rock salt on the winter roads, and HHR fuel lines are run just where they shouldn't be on "Rust Belt" vehicles.

 

The fuel line and return are on the drivers side of the HHR. It will be leaking where donbrew said, just on the other side.

I bought enough fuel injection rated rubber hose to replace the entire length for both the fuel and return lines. I got lazy and just replaced the most rusted length from the tank to where the steel got better.

You are welcome to search my thread about this

I see Wopper has since edited his post and that donbrew had nothing to do with it at all so I am editing mine now,...

 

Thanks everyone for your help. The car is a Michigan car, so no surprise . I just don't have any dripping on the ground. That's what I don't understand. Maybe it's really small pin hole right now

 

It must be evaporating before it can drip.

 

Best to take it into a shop for a full check over - ya definitely don't want any chance of a fire. It might be small enough that it only leaks when the engine is running.

Not sure where you are parking it (inside or outside) - it might be a good idea NOT to store it inside till you get to the root of the problem.

 

Rusting fuel lines aren't limited to the areas that use salt on the roads. Dirt from the road surface builds up on the fuel line and clamp and holds moisture. I know some people in Albuquerque, New Mexico that had the line rust out in all three of the HHR delivery vehicles they had for their business. The vehicles were run through a car wash at the end of each day. One burned on the road which lead to them having the other 2 checked and found leaking.

Since the fuel pump is in the tank and running 35 psi, a leak can quickly become a spray.

 

For the sake of argument: carwashes don't normally do the underside. In my area only some offer that as an extra cost option.