So, there was a fuel smell that every time I exited the car I could smell and it seemed to be getting worse by the week. I did some digging to find that there is a plastic filter housing that sits underneath the rear seats accessed through a circular panel on the floor board. This part is about $106 through Pelican and you should order two additional seals as well to replace while in there. Those were $12.75 each.

955-620-421-00 - fuel filter
955-201-133-01 - sealing ring (x2)

What happens is the top plastic piece on this filter cracks and allows fuel vapors and eventually fuel to seep out sending the smell out the rear wheel area. Here is what to do and how to fix.

Note before starting: Make sure fuel tank is low. The lower the better as you will need to fish the hose to the other side and your arm will be stuck in both holes. better to not be submerged in fuel.

1) raise lower seats to access below rear seat bottoms
2) cut carpet on both sides to access both (yes I said both) circular panels. You will need to pull both sides out as there is a flexible fuel line which connects the two which you will need to connect
3) remove seat belt holders (17mm socket)
4) loosen star nuts which hold upper back seat brackets. You will need a star drive for this.. not sure on actual size. There is factory loctite on these as well so they will be the hardest to remove of all the components.
(This is done to gain better access to the circular cover as one of the nuts is hid underneath that black bracket)
5) remove all 4 nuts on circular cover and set aside. Pry cover up slowly and it will pop up.
6) remove electrical connecter and fuel hose lines. Make sure to take pictures so you don't install backwards but it's pretty hard as the hoses come in from one area only.
7) loosen the circular clamp which holds both of the filter/pump assembly in place. You will need a large flat head screwdriver or small pry bar with a hammer to slowly move the ring counter clockwise.
8) once the filter is removed slowly remove all hoses by squeezing the buttons and sliding off. The electrical connections can only attach one way.
9) repeat these steps on the passenger side as well. You will need to remove the wires (inside the tank). this will allow you the ability to pull the pump out further in order to remove connector hose.
10) now, install new filter on drivers side and be careful to ensure you have everything hooked up correctly. Top tip: Sometimes the buttons on the side of the hoses stick in so when you push them back on you may think they are connected but they aren't Make sure you have tactile feedback. If needed you can use a small flat head screwdriver on the inside of the fuel hose to push the buttons back out to ensure they get a good connection.
11) reinstall everything with the new circular seals and you're good to go.
12) retighten the seat belt holders and seat mounts and lay carpet back down.
13) There is a computer module on the passenger side covering the carpet. I believe it takes two T30 screws and unplug the wires to remove and reinstall the same way.

Here are some pics to make the job easier. Best of luck! I would allow 2 hours for this job if you are mechanically inclined and have all the necessary tools. If not, it could take up to 4 without prep.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

Added to my DIY folder.

 

Nice write up, although I hope never to need it!

 

great write up👍 the pig is looking extremely sharp as well!

 

I just finished doing this. A couple things I will add:

Have a breaker bar for the 7 triple square bolts that are full of Locktite blue. Also, both my electrical plugs I broke the clips trying to release. They are just old and brittle. Might be good to have them on hand at $6 a piece. Also- when I reconnected the fuel lines and they "clicked" ....1 of them popped off the moment I would try to start the car. It did this 3 times, so I pryed them from the inside with a small screwdriver and found only 1 side of the clip was releasing. So even though I heard it click and could tug on it, when fuel pressure ran its course it would pop off. The metal rings were very easy to manage with a flat head screwdriver and hammer. No special tool needed. Took me about 3 hours. On the gratification scale its probably right there with prison sex.

Pelican parts has a detailed DIY on their site that's helpful.

 

Like the Cardan and Coolant Pipes....this will soon fail. Do it when the fuel filter needs it most....now!

 

On the 957 too?

 

Thanks everyone for the comments and for the additions.

The minute you smell fuel on the drivers side rear wheel well (knowing that the fill tube is on the passenger side) do this fix... It will get worse then start leaking fuel. I have a 5 week old at home so I didn't have a choice as I wanted to get this fixed right away.