4 Reasons Why Your Dodge Durango Smells Like Gas

If your Dodge Durango smells like gasoline, you need to approach your vehicle with caution and care, as this could be a sign of a fuel leak. There are a number of different factors that could be contributing to the gas fumes smell coming from your Dodge Durango – with some being dangerous and others being minor or insignificant. However, before you hit the panic button, make sure that you identify exactly what the source of the smell is so that you know how to approach the situation.

Why does my Durango smell like gas?

Your Dodge Durango may smell like gas due to a fuel leak coming from your fuel lines, fuel injectors, or fuel filler neck. Alternatively, the gas smell could be coming from a worn-out seal on your fuel cap, a worn-out fuel pressure regulator, or over-fueling your vehicle.

When you detect a fuel odor coming from your Dodge Durango, it is easy to feel alarmed. At the end of the day, gas is combustible, and a vehicle with a fuel leak presents some serious fire hazards. With that said, the fuel scent that you noticed in your Dodge Durango could be coming from several different sources, and it does not necessarily imply that you or your vehicle are in danger. 

However, until you are able to identify exactly what is causing the smell, you need to handle it in the same way as if there were a worst-case scenario. To get to the bottom of the smell, you need to diagnose and assess your Dodge Durango carefully. To help you understand this further, we are going to take a closer look at what is causing your Dodge Durango to smell like gas. 

After extensively researching Dodge troubleshooting forums, I have been able to gather enough information to determine why your Durango smells like gas. 

My research has indicated that you should always handle the fuel odor of your vehicle as a gas leak until you are able to confirm otherwise.

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Reasons Your Dodge Durango Smells Like Gas

The bottom line is that a Dodge Durango that smells like gas could potentially be dangerous to drive. You need to go through each possible source and figure out where it is coming from so that you know how to handle the odor – with gas leaks being the first things to cross off the list.

Gas Leak 

When it comes to fuel scents in your vehicle, you want to make sure of is that it is not a gas leak. This is the most dangerous scenario for the odor and if you have a gas leak on your hands, you want to take care of it ASAP. 

Fuel Lines

The easiest way to check to see if your Dodge Durango has a gas leak is to look underneath the vehicle. If the gas is visibly leaking, then one of the fuel lines has likely ruptured. 

As you scan under your car, look out for any leaks or drops. If you see any, double-check that it is actually fuel by putting your finger on the liquid and smelling it. 

Leaking fuel lines are particularly dangerous – especially if they are near your exhaust system or engine. You will need to replace your entire fuel lines and you should not drive your vehicle under any circumstance until the repairs have been finalized.

Fuel Injectors

If your fuel injectors are leaking, you should notice a strong gas smell when you are inside your Dodge Durango. Depending on the severity of the leak, you may or may not be able to visibly see it.

There are some telltale signs that your Dodge Durango’s fuel injectors are leaking. When this occurs, more fuel will be injected into your engine, which results in some performance issues. The first is that your Dodge Durango will be consuming more fuel than usual. This is particularly noticeable if the leak is bad. 

However, you may also find that your vehicle is hard to start when the engine is hot or that the idle is rough. If your Dodge Durango’s fuel injectors are leaking, you need to fix this issue immediately, as it can be catastrophic for your engine. 

Fuel Filler Neck

Over the years, you can expect a gas leak to occur in your Dodge Durango and one of the most common places that this happens is the fuel filler neck. 

If you are noticing that the smell of gas only occurs when you fill up gas and shortly after, you probably don’t have much to worry about. With that said, if the smell of gas sticks around long after you fill up, then it is probably something more serious. 

After crossing the fuel injectors and fuel lines off of the list, your next best bet is going to be to assume that the gas odor is coming from a faulty or worn-out fuel filler neck. 

Fuel Cap

One of the first things that you should always check is that your fuel cap was put on correctly – or that it was put on at all! However, if the cap is on and the smell is still around, there is a good chance that it is due to an old seal.

Your Dodge Durango’s fuel cap has a seal that prevents liquids as well as odors from coming through. After years of use, it is not uncommon for these seals to become ruptured or worn out. While you can try to fix this seal DIY, you are going to be much better off just buying a new gas cap for your Durango.

Fuel Pressure Regulator 

Your Dodge Durango’s fuel pressure regulator is responsible for controlling the pressure of gas that is fed to your fuel injectors. Much like with all components of your vehicle, the fuel pressure regulator can go bad over time. 

When this happens, you should notice a smell of gas coming from your exhaust. If the smell is prevalent from the back of your vehicle and specifically your exhaust pipe, then you most likely have a faulty fuel pressure regulator on your hands. Buying a new one and replacing it is going to be your best bet.

Over Fueling 

Are you the type of driver that likes to fuel up their vehicle as much as possible, even after the nozzle clicks? If so, that could be what is causing your Dodge Durango to smell like gas.

Your vehicle was intended to be fueled up until the initial click and that is it. Over fueling can lead to a gas smell, as well as other complications with your Dodge Durango.

Is it Okay to Drive a Dodge Durango that Smells Like Gas?

If your Dodge Durango smells like gas, you should avoid driving it until you have figured out exactly where the smell is coming from. Continuing to drive a vehicle that has a fuel leak presents some serious safety hazards and you should confirm what the source is first and foremost. 

Taking your Dodge Durango to a professional service shop is highly recommended, as they will be able to thoroughly diagnose your vehicle and take care of the problem. However, if you are comfortable with mechanics and repairs, you may be able to diagnose the issue yourself. 

With that said, make sure that you approach any gas smell with caution. If the issue is serious, you should always repair whatever is causing the smell before you continue to drive your Dodge Durango.