What causes gas smell from 2006 Saturn Ion--no gas puddles, or loss of gas mileage. Seems to happen after car is turned off and fuel level in gas tank does not seem to be a factor.

code p 0128 refers to coolant thermostat--coolant temp below thermostat regulating temperature ===causes mechanical fault
For that code to appear the answer is most likely yes --it will affect fuel economy
Why because if the coolant is free to flow then the engine operating temp is not reached and so the engine coolant sensor reports that the engine needs more fuel and the air fuel mixture is adjusted to rich as a result
indicates a thermostat that is stuck open

Saturn Ion Complete Workshop Service Repair Manual 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

for the easy solution download the pdf file

It is very hard for fuel and oil to mix. Unless by sabotage, check the color of your oil, do not go by smell. Fuel is a byproduct of oil. If you oil has not been changed in proper intervals you will still have some discoloration but if fuel was added to oil you would be seeing a grayish color on your dipstick. Fuel destroys the viscosity of oil and causes internal breakdown of engine bearings.

Check the fuel hose and clamps from the filler to the tank .check hose for cracks . The smell will probably be strongest in the boot.

yes the sensor is part of the fuel pump. The fuel pump unfortunately only able to be removed by dropping the fuel tank.

Hi.
3 options.
1.The electrical coupler to the Fuel tank may have got corroded, creating a power "shunt".
2. The tank level foat, with has a rheostat on it has failed.
3. The tank Level Float has perforated, and the inducted fuel has made it "sink", giving a false reading in all cases.
Regards, DT

it's not the car, it's the ven't tube for the fuel tank if the tank can't ven't it will keep shuting off the gas pump!

Hi,
This sounds like a problem with the "Emissions control system"
Designed to absorb fuel vapours - and release them when engine running, When they go wrong it leads to excessive fuel consumption, fuel smells and possibly leaks.

It is most likely a split pipe along this system - which needs checking carefully to find out where exactly.
Overfilling of your tank can lead to pressure problems - popping off a hose, so if you remember doing this - check any carbon filter element and hoses around it.

My car has had these symptoms. And just yesterday I started smelling gas. I will get it checked immediatly. If it is that I will file for a recall also.

i just had the same issue . . .I have been having starting problems with my car (2006 Saturn Ion) and smelling gasoline. It turns out the hose connected to the fuel pump was cracked and leaking gas. The mechanic said that this is a safety issue and should be recalled. He feels that the one hose is not connected and harnessed properly and the vibration to the hose eventually caused the crack. I googled "Saturn 2006 Ion fuel leak" and several other people have had the same issue. What is also the major problem here is that the hose is configured with the fuel pump itself. So, the entire mechanism had to be replaced. It cost me 700.00 for a cracked hose because the fuel pump had to be replaced and my car only is 46,000 miles. This is a major safety issue. I drove for 2 weeks with a car that was leaking fuel. Saturn must know about this and is waiting for the same situtation to happen, but for the car to blow up instead. PLEASE IF YOU ARE READING THIS CAUSE YOU HAVE THE SAME ISSUE . . . . contact the office of defects and the NHTSA . . .This is a saftey issue and a recall needs to be in affect . . .