I went through the same thing with my GTI.  I could never find any sign of
leakage anywhere.  When I sold it to my little brother he took it for
emmissions and it failed due to a faulty gas cap.  Replaced the gas cap and
no more gas smell.  HTH.

Cory
'90 Syncro Westfalia

> I can smell fuel somewhere in the rear end of my Syncro.  I thought I had
> been getting a whiff of gasoline once in a while, but whenever I would
> investigate it, the smell would dissipate and I could never tell if it was
> from my van or the guy parked next to me.  I have been checking the drips
> left by the van and have found evidence of every fluid except gas.
Tonight,
> when I went out to have my nocturnal smoke, before I could pollute my
> olfactory senses with all that blissful tar and nicotine, I caught a whiff
of
> gas as I walked past the van.  Sniffing like a mongrel in heat, I went all
> over the ass-end of the van.  I know it was not the height of dignity, but
I
> have to find the source.  The smell is very faint and coming from both
> wheelwells.  I CANNOT smell it in the engine compartment and there is no
> evidence of dampness anywhere under the van, around the fuel pump, fuel
> filter, fuel lines, fuel rails, etc.
>
> Has anyone had a similar experience with a Syncro?  I thought I had
distanced
> myself from leaking gas tanks when I switched to a Syncro; at least, I
hope I
> did.