Petrol Smell in Car After start

[Gav M]

Hi All,

I have noticed on occasion over the last few weeks that I have a petrol smell in the car when I turn on the engine. This is generally after a cold start.
After a few minutes the smell seems to go but it is very potent whilst present.
I have recently had the car terracleaned and I did notice this for the first time the day I picked it up at the garage after having it done. I just put it down to the fact they had been playing around with the fuel pipes and spraying fuel into the car for the procedure.
Not sure where the smell comes from but I suspect it is the Air conditioning as all the windows and Doors are shut when the car is started .
Any ideas??
Thanks in advance.

[Chris_Blue]

Welcome to the Club

Have you checked for leaks?

[Gav M]

Hi Chris, Not much of a clue when it comes to cars I am afraid. I have checked for leaks on the floor under the car but the DS3r engine bay is not very big and is set back, things would have to be removed to get any where near the engine itself and there is a big skidplate beneath the engine as well which restricts access from underneath.

[Chris_Blue]

start with sticking a bit of cardboard under the car overnight, then in the morning rev a bit and see if any petrol spills onto it- even a couple drops

Have a look round the engine and see if you can see any spillages?

Is the smell a rich exhaust fumey smell, or just petrol?

Had any knocks or hit big potholes?

May well be the petrol tank leaking fumes a very small amount, think its under the rear seats, but cant quite rember- bit of research to find out where it is methinks

[Owd git]

they had been playing around with the fuel pipes

That's probably the answer - I would get them to check that they've put everything back correctly