All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) have steadily increased in popularity over the past few years. They are a hit to people because of their ability to go through rougher terrain, and their overall efficiency for different uses. However, if you’ve owned an ATV or UTV or spent time around them, chances are a strong smell of gasoline may have hit you at one point.
When this happens to cars, people tend to be worried. ATVs and UTVs aren’t cars, but even then, that shouldn’t be happening. In most cases, though, that smell of gasoline comes from a leak or a loose gas cap. In other words, the smell of gas is a sign that you should check on the problem.
So, how do you take care of the gasoline smell in your ATVs and UTVs? In this article, we’ll shed some light on the matter at hand. Read on below to learn more.
How Bad Can the Smell Get?
This question depends entirely on what’s causing your ATV or UTV to smell like gas in the first place. If fumes on a hot day cause the gasoline smell, it’s not something you should be worried about because it will eventually go away. However, if it’s internal components of the vehicle, such as a flooded carburetor or fuel leak, it can be a serious problem if left unattended.
Keep in mind that fuel leaks are a serious problem, regardless of the loss in fuel costs. If left unattended, a fuel leak can turn into a potential fire hazard. In the case of ATVs and UTVs, they shouldn’t be driven, no matter how tiny the leak is.
Fixing the Gas Smell
When you smell gas, there are many things that you should look into to understand the cause of the odor better. Before you try anything, though, make sure that your ATV or UTV is turned off. There shouldn’t be any moving parts in the vehicle, or else you’ll be dealing with hand injuries which will only make matters worse.
To begin, check the vehicle’s air filter. In some cases, a broken air filter can cause gas fumes to leak out, which is a source of gasoline smell. A worn-out air filter in an older vehicle can do this as well.
Another thing that you should check out is the carburetor. Whenever gas and oil leaks all over the carburetor, you’ll likely smell a pungent odor that’s very similar to gas. Check for flooding in the carburetor, and if there is, you might need to clean or replace the float valve altogether.
If there are puddles underneath your vehicle, it’s also likely related to carburetor problems and leaks. In other words, seeing a puddle is a clear sign that you have a leak, and you must take care of it as soon as possible.
Temperature is also something you should watch for whenever you’re riding your ATV or UTV. They don’t carry as much gas as a regular car does, which can cause things to take a turn for the worse when the weather gets hotter. If you notice your vehicle’s outdoor temperature has increased dramatically, chances are the gas may have vaporized, which could be the source of the smell.
Conclusion
Riding an ATV or UTV is a great experience, but you must also maintain it in top condition so that you’ll have no interruptions. If your vehicle smells like gas, try to find the problem and have it fixed if you can’t do it yourself.
You can fix the problems yourself, such as replacing the gas cap if there’s a leak. However, you can only do so much, so it’s best to call in professional mechanics so that your vehicle will be well-taken care of, especially if you can’t solve the problem on your own.
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