I have done all that and am still coming up blank.
hoses 6 months old
new injector seal 6 months old
I clean any residue from any repair with brake cleaner so as to see any seepage, engine is spotless
all connections have been visually and physically checked with a sniff of the fingers nothing.
all the usual suspects are covered.
firewall fitting ok
no seepage around fuel pressure relief valve
thanks
mike

---- John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:
> Turn off the engine, open the hatch and let it vent completely to the
> point there is no smell. Turn on the ignition to the point the pump come
> on. then y ou have 30 pounds of fuel pressure all the way back to the
> injectors. Use you nose and sniff zones as close to the lines as you can
> get - every where the is a connection. Use a good, narrow beam
> flashlight - like a Mag light and focus that beam carefully on every
> connection. You may have a weep that will almost instantly evaporate
> with the engine running or when moving. But fully pressurized  you may
> be able to see a wet spot, even if it's not dripping. And make
> absolutely sure the connections on the stupid plastic firewall
> connection are secure and in good condition. There is a short piece of
> hose on the front side of the firewall that connects the plastic fitting
> to the fuel line. Those two connections and the hose are notorious for
> leaking. I've  had that hose leak first on the forward side, then the
> rearward side, then the hose itself split. Just as a matter of
> preventive maintenance that fitting and short hose should be eliminated,
> lest it cause you grief at some extremely inopportune time. Be
> pro-active on this one.
>
> If you don't see something with this method, next step is - with the
> fuel pump on - feel under each hose connection and clamp. If there is a
> leak that can't be seen, you can feel the wetness of it.
>
> Good hunting.
>
> John
>
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
> On 11/14/2011 8:50 AM, Mike Riley wrote:
> >   85 1.9 2 wheel drive
> > brown in ohio<g>
> >    odor comes only when driven and a little while after
> >   no visible leaks.
> >   no drips anywhere
> >   firewall fitting like new
> >   vapor recovery hooked up
> >   smell only in engine compartment and vents
> >   anybody have problems with hose permeability
> >   I discovered the smell from sniffing the vents
> >   any ideas
> >   thanks
> >   mike
> >
> >
> >>
> >> ---- John Rodgers<inua@charter.net>  wrote:
> >>> Mike,
> >>>
> >>> Don't run this thing again before you get this resolved. To paraphrase
> >>> an old saying - where there are fumes  there will be  fire - and you
> >>> don't want the fire to be your van!
> >>>
> >>> And keep your fire extinguisher handy while you work on the van to
> >>> resolve this.
> >>>
> >>> Please do advise us per Roger's list of questions.
> >>>
> >>> John
> >>>
> >>> John Rodgers
> >>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> >>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> >>> Chelsea, AL
> >>> Http://www.moldhaus.com
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On 11/13/2011 1:16 PM, Mike Riley wrote:
> >>>> smell gas in engine compartment and it is moderately strong. fuel hoses are 6 months old and NOT showing any signs of leaking
> >>>> firewall fitting ok and showing no signs of leaking also hose behind firewall.
> >>>> vapor recovery system all hooked up with no leaks. absolutely no drips anywhere and no smell at the front.
> >>>> all the usual suspects are ok  and engine is very clean and shows no signs of seepage anywhere.
> >>>> any ideas?
> >>>> mike
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >
>