Fuel Smell

Without diagnostic codes we can only guess, but the combination of fuel smell and warning suggests a leak in the fuel system. Get it in for service sooner than later.

Tom

 

The fuel tank contains a bladder to reduce evaporative emissions. With severe overfilling, it is possible to get fuel through the vent system to the wrong side of the bladder. The Prius will throw a code for this condition. Unfortunately the fix for this is to replace the fuel tank assembly.

As for reading Prius codes, it works like any other modern car, with the exception that many of the hybrid codes can only be read with a special Toyota tool. If you want advice, have you dealer pull the codes, and then post them here.

Here is a list of search results from PriusChat that relate to this issue:

Google

Tom

 

FWIW, cutting the seal around the fuel cap could be considered tampering with a vehicle emission control device, which is a federal offense.

I'm not convinced you have an overfill situation.

 

worst case would be that a dangerous level of fuel vapor could mix with air and find an ignition source. A fuel leak is not something to ignore it can start a fire.

 

The second problem is related to the first. This is good news, because the presence of the master warning light shows that a DTC has been logged which will make it easier to determine what the problem is.

Opening a seal will not help - if anything that will further promote the spread of fuel vapors.

The worst that can happen is that your family's health will be adversely affected and your car will catch on fire.

I don't think you have to worry about damaging more fuel system components - you have to worry about damaging the health of whoever is in the car. This is a significant safety issue that must not be ignored.

Absolutely.

 

OK, its good that you figured out the source of the hydrocarbon smell.

You can use engine cleaner and water. However I recommend that you avoid getting the top of the engine valve cover wet, where the four spark igniters reside. Although they have rubber O-rings, those do not form a very good seal and water can seep down into the spark plug wells. This will eventually cause ignition misfire. Also I recommend that you don't apply high water pressure upon any electrical connector.

To clean the valve cover, you could use a paper towel moistened in paint thinner or kerosene, and wipe off the accumulated oil.

I think that the range from the top dimple on the dipstick down to the lower dimple is ~1.7 quarts. So if you were low 2 quarts and started from a full crankcase, that should not cause lasting damage.

 

Throw a new filter on as well, since extra dirt would have entered the system?

 

First thanks for fessing up on the fuel odor source, we are all human and make mistakes and can learn from others. I just wanted to add that I had my engine code read at a local Autozone before I invested in a Scanguage--so if you or others have a problem there may be a quick local and free source to go to.

 

llbradfam, better to look foolish here than at the dealer--cheaper too. Just proves: Always check the stupid stuff first.

 

Yes, this is generally true. A check engine light implies that the engine ECU logged a DTC, and a generic OBD-II scanner probably can read those codes. If other ECUs (such as the hybrid vehicle, traction battery, skid control, etc.) log DTC, a generic scanner probably will not report those codes.

Did you manage to refill the crankcase and get your engine compartment cleaned up?

Any other problems?

 

No one here will beat you up for this. You made an honest mistake, and you owned up to it. We all do knuckle headed things from time to time.

Tom

 

Absolutely. I've done two, but never the same one twice.

1. Changing my oil. Forgot to put the oil drain plug in before refilling. 2 quarts later I had a nice oiled driveway.

2. Didn't check to see if the oil filter gasket had come off when the used oil filter was removed. 2 gaskets on a new filter doesn't work well.

The second one was on my mom's car. She took it to a mechanic before calling me. His comment was "Just about everyone does it, but only once."

He's right.

 

Just to clarify for my personal curiosity.. I thought only the CEL/MIL guarantees that a code was set, not the master warning (red triangle).

For example, master warning will come on if you open the door while in drive (but not reverse). Surely that doesn't set a code...