My 2007 cobalt has a slight fuel leak, there is a gasoline odor in the cab, and the mpg is way down -- I filled up and am now on 3/4 of a tank after 30 miles of driving -- The car has around 60,000 miles. What are the possible causes and solutions?

CHANGE AIR FILTER.CHECK TIRES AIR PRESSURE.CLEAN FUEL INJECTORS.CHECK FOR FUEL LEAKS UNDER THE HOOD AROUND ALL FUEL LINES AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND CHECK FOR GAS LEAKS AROUND FUEL TANK WHERE ALL FUEL LINES LOCATED.

A FEW THINGS TO CHECK: OXYGEN SENSOR (DEFECT)// PCV CLOGGED// AIR FILTER CLOGGED// EMISSION SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY//

CHECK FUEL FILTER

Fuel Sys, Driveability, Filters (Air & Fuel)
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT

02/01/2006 ELIMINATION OF FUEL FILLER TUBE FLAPPER DOOR 03/01/2006 ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE READINGS 06/01/2006 USAGE OF E85 FUELS IN GM VEHICLES - REVISED 06/01/2006 L61 ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL)/SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DTC P0171 "FUEL TRIM SYSTEM LEAN" SET 07/01/2006 TOP TIER DETERGENT GASOLINE - DEPOSITS, FUEL ECONOMY, NO START, POWER, PERFORMANCE, STALL CONCERNS - REVISED 07/01/2006 USE OF E85 FUELS IN VEHICLES NOT CERTIFIED BY GM AS BEING FLEX FUEL COMPATIBLE / AFTERMARKET CONVERSIONS OF VEHICLES TO OPERATE ON E85 FUELS 09/01/2006 397.pdf&btitle=2006 CHEVROLET COBALT&yr=2006">GM FUEL SYSTEM TREATMENT PLUS, FUEL SENDING UNIT CORROSION AND FUEL SYSTEM DEPOSITS - REVISED 11/01/2006 940.pdf&btitle=2006 CHEVROLET COBALT&yr=2006">ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE READINGS - REVISED 03/01/2006 USAGE OF E85 FUELS IN GM VEHICLES - REVISED 12/01/2006 TOP TIER DETERGENT GASOLINE - DEPOSITS, FUEL ECONOMY, NO START, POWER, PERFORMANCE, STALL CONCERNS - REVISED 01/01/2007 EMISSION RECALL - ENGINE FUEL INJECTORS - REPLACE 01/01/2007 LSJ, L61, LK5, L52, LL8 ENGINE - REDUCED ENGINE POWER, MIL/SES LIGHT, DTC P1516, P2135, P2138 02/01/2007 MULTIPLE DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS DUE TO CLOGGED FUEL INJECTORS, MIL/SES DTCS P0171, P0172, P0174, P0300, P1174, P1175 - REVISED 03/01/2007 MULTIPLE DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS DUE TO CLOGGED FUEL INJECTORS, MIL/SES DTCS P0171, P0172, P0174, P0300, P1174, P1175 - REVISED 05/01/2007 MULTIPLE DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS DUE TO CLOGGED FUEL INJECTORS, MIL/SES DTCS P0171, P0172, P0174, P0300, P1174, P1175 - REVISED 06/01/2007 <A href="http://arrc.epnet.com/autoasp/data.asp?sid=122357497&uid=s9193090.remote.autorefctr&type=pdf&ff=082000

I have the exact same problem with my 2006 chevy cobalt right now. That's why I am searching this. I had a mechanic friend look at it and it's the fuel pump and the lines are cracked to. Has anyone heard of a recall on this? It can't be a coincidence that we are having the same issue.

you have a gas leak someplace and that is causing the hard starting, the odor, and the bad mileage

check your fuel injector gaskets

Is the service engine light ON in this vehicle?

You'll need to inspect every inch of the fuel system for leaks. I would start in the engine compartment. Chech injectors, fuel rail, lines to rail,etc. Check under car for leaks in lines, around tank. Use you nose to give you an idea where to start. Since it fills the passanger compartment I'm betting on the engine compartment in which the fumes could get in through the heater intake which is close.Look for wet spots. It could also be a leak in the evaporative emissions system which includes charcoal canister, purge system and lines but you'd probably have a check engine light with a problem in those systems. The hotter the vehicle and climate will make the leak harder to find due to evaporation.

Hi,
May I suggest a locking gas cap. You could put a large piece of cardboard under your car and if there are any drops the next morning that smell like gasoline you might find the leak if there is one.
Cheers,
Ken