1998 Subaru Outback Fuel System Problems

You noticed a strong smell of gasoline fumes while driving home after filling up, and when you checked under the right rear of your car, you found fuel actively leaking from the fuel filler neck. The leak appears to be coming from a corroded section at the bottom of the filler pipe. This is a safety concern that will need professional repair to replace the damaged fuel filler neck.

You've been noticing a fuel smell inside your car since October 2007. The dealer diagnosed the problem as corrosion in the fuel filler neck (the metal part where you add gas), which caused fuel to leak into the passenger compartment. The repair will involve replacing the corroded fuel filler neck, and the dealer quoted $278 for the part and labor.

Your gas fill pipe is leaking gasoline, creating a safety and environmental hazard. A plastic shield near the pipe traps dirt and sand, keeping the outside of the pipe wet for weeks after rain, which causes it to rust through over time. The fix will likely involve replacing the corroded gas fill pipe and possibly the plastic shield.