Vauxhall Astra Sxi 1.6: strong smell of petrol inside the card

[vauxhall13]

When I get in my car, there is a strong smell of petrol. It never used to do this until say about a month ago. Now its verynoticeable. And its not just after I've filled up either. Anyone else have this problem? Its a Vauxhall Astra Sxi 1.6 petrol engine - about 2 yrs old; 30k on the clock. thanks Sheila

[steffomini]

Could be a blocked fuel filter,are you losing fuel at all?

[colin6789]

Modern cars do not leak fuel like old ones because of plastic tanks and fuel lines, and better design. On the Mk 2 Cortina's the boot floor was the top oft the petrol tank, story of somebody putting pathing slabs in the boot too heavily and the leaking petrol going on to the exhaust, big bang!.
Aslo my dads old Austin A60 Cambridge had the steel fuel line completly disintergrate and day before he scrapped it, hows that for timing.

Anyway, your ploblem could be the fuel breather is blocked, this vents the tank though a carbon filter to take petrol fumes. Also check the vent pipe for holes or splits or the filler cap seal could be damaged.

Just a thought , do you keep the car in a garage, it could get very hot after you have done a long journey. I have had a car in relativly large concrete garage with a aluminium door but no window or vents and it could get very hot, and so produce pertol fumes.

By the way because of the design of modern fuel tanks, you should not overfill the tank as it uses a internal chamber to allow for expansion, and if this is full of fuel , it may push pertol into the carbon filter and this will produce vapour in hot weather.

I would go to the dealer as it should be under warranty, donot be put off if it has not been dealer serviced, as this is not a service item.