petrol fumes

vikki · 09-04-2006, 02:38 AM

Hopefully someone can help my problem.. I’ve just bought a Suzuki Samurai 1997 model from a friend of a friend. Petrol consumption is my main concern.. I’m doing 220km on a full tank (35litres) My previous car was a 1987 suzuki SJ413 which did 400km. I spoke to the seller who told me obviously my new jeep will do less k’s because its got a weber carburetor, better performance etc.. okay, I know nothing about cars, but is it possible that it can be this un-economical?? I had the carburetor reconditioned only to find out after that the seller had just done that.. (i.e. I was ripped off) and 2 other service centres haven’t been able to find a problem. While I’m driving I can smell petrol fumes. The smell is really bad when the manual choke is out when warming up, but even when the jeep’s warm and the choke is back in there are still petrol smells, so bad that when I arrive at my destination my clothes smell of petrol and I’m a bit nauseous.. I just don’t know what to do, as no-one can find a problem, but surely this isn’t normal? I’m really missing my older jeep.. Please, any ideas would be appreciated..

On a brighter note, these are really awesome little jeeps.. and I like the fact (I’ve been reading the forums) that people who have had them before, often even go onto buying a second.. very loyal drivers we are

suzukifreak · 09-12-2006, 11:43 PM

Is your suzuki a convertible? Sometimes exhaust (mostly replacements that the tailpipe does not curve to the side and out like stock, but is directed straight out) will travel upwards and under the top and into the cabin. The carb will run a little rich at warm up also contributing to the odor. Also, if you are running a weber, make sure you are using a fuel pressure regulator at 2.5-3 psi. Without one will cause a rich condition if your fuel pump is putting out too much pressure resulting in the fuel odor and poor fuel economy. It may be a good idea to find out if you have the proper jets in the carb as well. You should experience better fuel economy with the weber if you dont get on the throttle too hard and open the second barrell, provided that it is a 32/32 or 32/36 carb. (stamped on side) Hope this helps, I have had the same issues and it does put a damper on your day smelling like a petrol station.

vikki · 09-13-2006, 03:08 AM

yes, it is a covertible with hard canopy, and YES, i changed the exhaust fitting to a nice fat bling bling one pointing straight out in place of the ugly curved one i bought the car with....

and yes, my mechanic guy told me the jets were the wrong size on the carb, but my carburettor guy told me they were fine....

will check it out again ! Thanks so much !!!!

suzukifreak · 09-13-2006, 03:27 AM

Sounds like a carb problem then. Are you running a fuel regulator with the carb?

vikki · 09-15-2006, 09:52 AM

i dunno?? i dont know jack about cars... i went to a new carburettor guy who didnt open the carburettor further to investigate, but just changed the jets for me... how can i tell if there's a fuel regulator? does a professional need to open the whole thing up, or how do i tell if there's a fuel regulator.. now with the smaller jets, i have noticed a very very small drop in power in the jeep like when going up a hill, but its very slight.. and the petrol consumption seems a little better, but still not too good.. should i get someone to look into it further ? im not even sure what fuel consumption i should be getting on a suzuki with a weber carburettor