04 rainier fuel smell

[Rainiero4]

With our 04 Rainier we get gas vapor smell inside the cab intermittently. It makes no difference if the tank is full or down to 1/4. I suspected the gas cap as a possible issue but upon replacement, no improvement. The car has 50K miles and is good shape. I have crawled under the vehicle with a flashlight and inspection mirror and did not see fuel around any fittings. Nothing under the vehicle when still. The vapors are only present while running.

Additionally, the fuel gauge began to indicate below empty all the time approximately 6 months ago regardless of the amount of fuel in the tank. The volt meter now has also begun to show inaccurate readings.

Any suggestions prior to taking to the dealer would be apreciated. Thanks in advance!

Bob

 

[Rainiero4]

Update: Went to our local GM dealer today. There is a "special coverage adjustment-fuel tank reservoir assembly corrosion". Evidently Rainiers as well as Trailblazers, Envoy, and Olds Bravada are covered under this issue. In the salt belt states, corrosion may develop on the fuel feed/return lines at the tank fittings causing perforations that may allow fuel to accumulate on top of the tank.

They will hopefully take care of the problem tomorrow by replacing the module kit, T/tnk F/pump. This special coverage is extended to 10 years or 120K miles if anyone else develops the same issue. I'll let you know how this comes out.

Hopefully this info may help other Rainier owners.

Regards,
Bob
Hampton Virginia

 

[BuickV8]

Thanks, Bob. Something to remember for those of us who plan on running our Rainiers out to way beyond 120k.

 

[rand49er]

This is spot on for me. I just took over my wife's '04 Rainier with 140,6xx miles as my DD, and it has a pronounced fuel vapor smell when I exit the vehicle after running an errand. Told the local mechanic about it when they put in a new thermostat the other day, and he couldn't find the problem. Now, I know where to tell him to look. Thanks, Bob!

BTW, I plan on taking this thing well beyond the 140k point. The thermostat (which was generating a code) is the first and only thing that's gone wrong with since it was new in Dec '03, eight years ago.

 

[rand49er]

Update!

Finally had a window of opportunity to take the Rainier to the dealer. Though the vehicle has 142.5k miles and therefore is past the mileage mentioned above, GM ended up splitting the $909 estimate to fix it. I was pleased. Now, no smell and no worry that someone would throw a lit cigarette my way and I'd go up in flames. All's good.