98 Previa 2.4 Gl

[grumpy62]

Mornin all, ok here goes, ive not had the car long...and finding small discrepancies each day. ive just had all the brake discs/pads/handbrake shoes done, but handbrake cable needs replacing.(how dear are they lol)... I am 90% sure the power steering belt needs replacing as the steering goes a bit tight and the dash lights up. The fuel sender unit is a tad dodgy as the needle is up and down more times than a lady of the nights underwear. I can live with all these snags. My main worry is the constant smell of petrol when im driving...my question is..(not being mechanically minded) would it just be a case of it running way too rich or is there some kind of breather pipe that may be blocked. (the car was stood in a field for over a year apparently) or would it be anything else a bit more sinister. Any thoughts on this please guys

Regards Dave

[bothwell_buyer]

It could be a breather pipe sludged up; it could be that the tank has gunge in it and its gone thru to block the petrol filter making the engine ask for more petrol etc etc; and a good one to check is the petrol tank breather pipe which runs alongside the filler and corrodes to sand...causing smells of petrol. Try the latter first.

[grumpy62]

mornin bothwell, many thanks for your reply, as I suspected it may be a breather so will check on my next day off. as for the filter being blocked, that totally passed me by so will check that also. once again many thanks

Regards Dave

[bigman]

I'll bet it's a corroded breather pipe. Is the smell worse after you've filled up with petrol? Get to it by taking rear nearside wheel off and under wheelarch cover. This is common fault on older Previas..........Bigman.