Chrysler Repair: Gas Smell, combustion chamber, leak fuel

Question
Hi...
What could be causing a gas smell coming from my running car (running too rich or fumes leaking out)? It's a 2000 and hasn't had much problems. Could it need a tuneup? I believe I need to change the plugs and wires, could that have anything to do with it?

Answer
Hi Neal,
With today's fuel injected engines there is much less likelihood of having vapors result due to the engine running too rich or fumes leaking out of the intake manifold or any other part of the combustion chamber or the exhaust. The more likely source is a leaky fuel supply (or return)line between the gas tank and the injector(s). The fuel is under much higher pressure than in a carbureted engine and so any looseness in a fitting or crack in a hose is likely to leak fuel. The chances that an engine compartment fire can begin because of this release of raw fuel is real, so I would encourage you to either look for a leak or have a mechanic look for a fuel leak a.s.a.p. Once you establish that there is no leak (visual inspection) you could then turn to the tune up issue. But again with contemporary engines, the plugs last about 30,000 miles, and there is nothing needed for the distributor maintenance, and the cap, rotor, and wires are generlly good for 60,000 miles depending upon climate.