Miata Mailing List: January 2001, Message #782

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Fellow Miataians,

I have a problem with which I am frustrated.  I have a '96 that has had a
strong smell of gasoline in the trunk since it was new.  Anything I leave in
the trunk for any length of time will reek with the smell of gas.  I can't
use the recirculation feature on the heat/air because it brings it into the
passenger compartment.

I have taken it to two different dealers when it was under warrantee and
they said they could find nothing wrong.  After that, I thought maybe it was
the battery that was emitting a toxic smell (if the vent were clogged, which
it is not) and perhaps my old smeller couldn't tell the difference.  I am
now convinced it MUST be gasoline.

Surely all Miatas don't smell like this!  Has anyone else ever encountered
this problem?  Any ideas?  Your help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Jay