Contacted VOSA today about fuel line fault wrx
25 October 2010, 09:57 PM
#63
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I had this last year (November /December). I was adviised by my Subaru dealer that it was not a recall even though a known issue as it was not enough risk.
The fumes were so bad one morning my eyes welled up and I wanted to be sick.
I was advised the price would be around £400+ VAT!!! So went about it myself and did a parrallel rail mod.
When i removed the manifold to carry out the work it wasn't a leaking fuel rail at all. It was the injector seals in number 1 & 3 that had perished!!!
My advise for you would be warm the car up if you can when driving without the blowers on the 5/10 mins. AGAIN IF YOU CAN.
Steve
The fumes were so bad one morning my eyes welled up and I wanted to be sick.
I was advised the price would be around £400+ VAT!!! So went about it myself and did a parrallel rail mod.
When i removed the manifold to carry out the work it wasn't a leaking fuel rail at all. It was the injector seals in number 1 & 3 that had perished!!!
My advise for you would be warm the car up if you can when driving without the blowers on the 5/10 mins. AGAIN IF YOU CAN.
Steve
07 November 2010, 05:58 PM
#64
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I have this smell of petrol in cold weather too.
A couple of questions -
Can anyone specify what exact parts are involved? Fuel pipes are involved and the tightness of the clips, but where are they exavtly and which parts would you need to request?
Also, does this have anything to do with modded cars of does it affect bugeys whether modded or not (mine is)?
Andy
A couple of questions -
Can anyone specify what exact parts are involved? Fuel pipes are involved and the tightness of the clips, but where are they exavtly and which parts would you need to request?
Also, does this have anything to do with modded cars of does it affect bugeys whether modded or not (mine is)?
Andy
07 November 2010, 06:26 PM
#67
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update had a letter off vosa they dont think its a saftey issue but subaru have said they will rectify cars who suffer this problem we will see when i ring subaru dealer up on monday
02 December 2010, 07:18 PM
#73
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Well I've just joined the bugeye fuel smell party too 
Noticed mine for the first time last night when we fired the car up after not using it for a day. The temperature had been -9C but had risen to about -6C. We had the fan on full blast and made a journey of about a mile and noticed a really strong smell of un-burnt fuel. A mechanic checked it over today for leaks but found nothing. Fortunately I Googled it and found a blog from a NASIOC guy then Mr PPP kindly pointed me in the direction of this thread
I'll email VOSA and see what they say. PITA if it keeps doing it now that I'm living up in here in NE Scotland where winters are a tad harsher than I'm used to down in SE England
Last year it was fine but I kept the car in the garage most of the winter and used the other half's Octavia oil burner instead.
Incidentally, after a brief spell of smelling this morning it went away and has been fine all day despite temps of -8C. I guess the residual heat is stopping the fuel hose from contracting.
Anyway, it's still been bloody marvellous in all this snow and ice
Noticed mine for the first time last night when we fired the car up after not using it for a day. The temperature had been -9C but had risen to about -6C. We had the fan on full blast and made a journey of about a mile and noticed a really strong smell of un-burnt fuel. A mechanic checked it over today for leaks but found nothing. Fortunately I Googled it and found a blog from a NASIOC guy then Mr PPP kindly pointed me in the direction of this thread
I'll email VOSA and see what they say. PITA if it keeps doing it now that I'm living up in here in NE Scotland where winters are a tad harsher than I'm used to down in SE England
Last year it was fine but I kept the car in the garage most of the winter and used the other half's Octavia oil burner instead.Incidentally, after a brief spell of smelling this morning it went away and has been fine all day despite temps of -8C. I guess the residual heat is stopping the fuel hose from contracting.
Anyway, it's still been bloody marvellous in all this snow and ice
06 December 2010, 01:29 PM
#79
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vosa just phoned me back there, ive to phone my local subaru dealership and they should do it for free as long as its not highly modified, would that mean the walbro 255 fuel pump will get the blame, and if they not playing game ive to get them to look at technical bulletin dated 26th oct maybe aug 2010
19 December 2010, 05:29 PM
#84
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Hi folks, my 51 plate bugeye wagon has just started with the ridiculous fuel smell. Does anyone happen to have a template email we can use to send to VOSA? I know I'm being real lazy but as I'm a numpty when it comes to most things under the bonnet some guidance would be very gratefully received. Thanks in advance.
19 December 2010, 08:35 PM
#85
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Sorry folks, I've just seen rookymatt's email. I will adapt that and send it to VOSA. Also seen a Subaru Bulletin relating to this issue from an associated thread on here:
https://www.scoobynet.com/general-te...ell-issue.html
https://www.scoobynet.com/general-te...ell-issue.html
Last edited by Jonnys3; 19 December 2010 at 09:05 PM.
20 December 2010, 08:57 AM
#86
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Response received from VOSA:
Dear Mr Smith Thank you for your email. I am sorry to hear of your recent experience. It may be helpful if I explain the role of VOSA in regards to investigating vehicle safety defects. VOSA investigates, in conjunction with the relevant producer, incidences whereby failure of a vehicle or its component systems are alleged to be attributable to design or construction deficiencies. In addition VOSA is responsible for the supervision and monitoring of the UK Recall Scheme as it applies in the automotive sector. This work is carried out under the terms of a Code of Practice, which is an agreement between the Department for Transport and the Trade Associations representing vehicle and component producers, and is supported by the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. A ‘safety defect’ is defined in the Code as “a feature of design or construction liable to cause significant risk of personal injury or death”. Defects that can be identified during normal routine maintenance, including servicing and driver checks, handling characteristics or noise emitted by the vehicle, which can warn the driver of the problem, are not normally classified as safety issue under the terms of the Code. VOSA is aware of this issue, which has been investigated with the manufacturer. Our investigation concluded, that although there is a heavy smell of petrol, the air to fuel mixture or the density of fuel in the engine bay, is insufficient to ignite. Additionally, the occupants of the vehicle will identify that there is a fuel leak before it becomes a heath hazard. However, Subaru are taking a pro-active action with the issue and we recommend that you contact Subaru's UK head office or your local dealer. Should you wish to discuss the issue, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number below. Yours sincerely Andrew Tudor Andrew Tudor Automotive Engineer Vehicle Safety Branch VOSA Berkeley House Croydon Street Bristol BS5 0DA.
Subaru UK here we come....
Dear Mr Smith Thank you for your email. I am sorry to hear of your recent experience. It may be helpful if I explain the role of VOSA in regards to investigating vehicle safety defects. VOSA investigates, in conjunction with the relevant producer, incidences whereby failure of a vehicle or its component systems are alleged to be attributable to design or construction deficiencies. In addition VOSA is responsible for the supervision and monitoring of the UK Recall Scheme as it applies in the automotive sector. This work is carried out under the terms of a Code of Practice, which is an agreement between the Department for Transport and the Trade Associations representing vehicle and component producers, and is supported by the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. A ‘safety defect’ is defined in the Code as “a feature of design or construction liable to cause significant risk of personal injury or death”. Defects that can be identified during normal routine maintenance, including servicing and driver checks, handling characteristics or noise emitted by the vehicle, which can warn the driver of the problem, are not normally classified as safety issue under the terms of the Code. VOSA is aware of this issue, which has been investigated with the manufacturer. Our investigation concluded, that although there is a heavy smell of petrol, the air to fuel mixture or the density of fuel in the engine bay, is insufficient to ignite. Additionally, the occupants of the vehicle will identify that there is a fuel leak before it becomes a heath hazard. However, Subaru are taking a pro-active action with the issue and we recommend that you contact Subaru's UK head office or your local dealer. Should you wish to discuss the issue, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number below. Yours sincerely Andrew Tudor Andrew Tudor Automotive Engineer Vehicle Safety Branch VOSA Berkeley House Croydon Street Bristol BS5 0DA.
Subaru UK here we come....
20 December 2010, 09:56 AM
#87
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hi,
just wanted to join the fuel sniffing group as this morning at -8 i noticed a really strong smell inside the car. am i best to contact vosa for my local subaru dealer?
just wanted to join the fuel sniffing group as this morning at -8 i noticed a really strong smell inside the car. am i best to contact vosa for my local subaru dealer?
20 December 2010, 11:39 AM
#88
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Having been advised by VOSA to try Subaru UK's head office or my local Subura dealer, I am going to Subaru UK first. I would like something in writing from Subaru UK so that my nearest dealer cannot get out of fixing this.
20 December 2010, 11:49 AM
#89
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i have just spoken to my nearest dealer which is in Pickering, North Yorkshire and they said that they have not heard of this problem but they are going to look into it and get back to me. Fingers crossed
24 December 2010, 02:08 PM
#90
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Had a letter thorugh the post this am from Subaru UK stating that they will look into this and get someone to contact me soon.
Last edited by Jonnys3; 24 December 2010 at 02:10 PM.