Questions about my "new" WRX

[boxerwagon]

I just bought a used 2002 WRX Wagon. It's the car I've wanted since they first came out. I think the car has 2 issues, and I'm not sure if they are normal. (1) After filling the car with fuel, I can smell gas inside the cabin. The smell goes away after a few minutes, and it's not intense, but I'm from the school that you shouldn't smell fuel at all. I have looked under the car and there are no fuel leaks that I can see. It has been very cold out here, under 20 degrees, since I bought it. (2) Under fairly hard acceleration, I get a rattle (mostly in second gear) around 3K RPM. It sounds like keys rattling, but I took all my keys off my ring, and it's still there. Thanks for the help. This forum is awesome.

[iup200]

1) the gas smell ??? No clue there on that one 2) the rattle...does it sound like it's coming from the dash around the Radio, or from around the ash tray. if it does, it is most likley the bushings in your shifter. This happened to me when I installed my new Gears, and we cracked one of the shifter bushings reinstalling...it was very annoying, at just the right RPM (right around 3000), you would hear a rattle coming from the ash tray area..
Also...is there ALOT of play in your shifter from Side to side...if so, I think we found your problem

hope this helps

[boxerwagon]

Thanks, you may be right. That kind of sounds like the right area, and I did notice some side to side play (while in gear). Also, I undstand there is a TSB Technical Service Bulletin on the fuel smell in cold weather. Thanks..

[crazycam31]

The 2002 has a cold weather gas leak problem.... Take it to your dealer and they should fix it under warrenty. Mine does it occasionally but it doesn't really bother me since my car smells like gas all the time anyways.

[boxerwagon]

Talked to the dealer today and they acknowledged that there was a cold weather gas leak problem on the WRX's (2002). He said it was because the fuel rail is made of aluminum and when it gets cold (like 10 degrees) the metal shrinks enough to cause a slight leak. But as soon as the motor runs about 3 seconds (haha) it does away. He did say they would fix it though, especially because it only has 47000 miles. Would need to keep it over night though..

[WRC_Obsessed]

Welcome to the club!

Glad you got your problem sorted out.