Fuel smell on startup (normal or issue??)

08 1GR-FE here with 334k miles. I’m sure these engines run richer on first start, but it is very noticeable from behind the truck. No CEL on. I’m in the truck a lot so I might be getting used it. Plus I am never behind the truck when I start it up. My wife claims it is more noticeable than usual.

Is there anyway to know whether this is normal or if there is something going on with the fuel system?

Thanks!

 

Not normal. Maybe on a cold start but definitely not under normal operating temps. Could have a sticking injector.

 

If rich, it should be throwing codes.

 

At a certain point, yes. His could be just below the threshold. Looking at fuel trims may help ID whats going on.

 

No CEL light. Truck is stored in a heated garage. So cold start here means, starting an engine that has cooled to room temperature that is around 70 degrees.

Can this be done with a simple Bluetooth scanner running an app like OBD Fusion? I think it can graph, although probably not the best way or diagnostic tool to use.

 

Cold start is anything under 140*F water coolant temps. So even in a heated garage its still cold. Im sure its fine, especially when starting cold in a confined space, unless you are noticing increasing oil volume (leaking injector) or increased fuel consumption its probably fine.

Yes you can see long term fuel trims with a simple BT scanner and app. Due note that trims arent really changed during cold startup (LT/ST wise, there are other "trims" that deal with the warm up phase). So unless you are seeing like 10+% LTFT's when under load at a constant throttle (cruising down the road at 55) you likely dont have an injector problem.

 

No, not normal....except..
I've had this happen a couple of times, once or twice in my truck and once or twice in my wife's Sienna minivan several years ago. Each time, I can remember the night before, starting the vehicle bone cold and just moving it then shutting it back off. It was still in high idle when I shut it off so I can only surmise that the cylinders were a little washed down with fuel. On the following morning's start ups, it stumbled a little and smelled like fuel. But again, only a couple of times over the course of several years.
If it's happening on a regular basis, you might have an injector problem.
Try running some Techron or some other good fuel injector cleaner through it and see if it is still happening.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll try to take a look at the LTFTs with my scanner this weekend.