Recently purchased a 98 v70. Have noticed a bad fuel odor every time we fill it up and for several miles after. Have not noticed any fuel actually leaking in the garage. Car is also difficult to start in the mornings. First start of the day. and then anytime it sits for a while. I replaced the spark plugs this weekend and it seemed to do better for about 2 days and now its back to its old habits. car only has 78,000 miles on it i am puzzled ...please any help would be greatly appreciated as this is my wife's car and right now she can not even drive it due to the smell...

 

Look at the filler neck from cap to tank to see if it's wet from fuel the next time you fill it up. There is definitely a leak somewhere - probably in a vent hose which will probably not be wet. Perhaps PO left a vent hose disconnected. Those lines run from front to rear. Resist the urge to find the leak with a match or lighter.

As for hard start - was the onset of these symptoms concurrent with the fuel odor? Leaking vent & vacuum lines can cause hard starting, too.

 

Any codes set (i.e. Ck engine light on)?

In addition to VT's suggestions, this could be the evap valve stuck open... Is it harder to start after filling the tank? But again, this should set a code; ck it.

 

Had fuel odor, engine light on. Took to dealer, who explained fuel system is pressurized. They stated they cleaned the gas cap seal, charged $100 and problem went away.

 

so decided to dig into this last night and noticed fuel on top of the pump assembly. Also was able to just freely move pump around. Noticed large black nut not secured properly so i tightened it. Proceeded to start the car and nothing. just turns over and over and over... at this point done with it cant hear the pump at all. Called a tow truck. Go figure 5 minutes before the truck gets there i decide to push it out of garage to make it easier to get to and the darn thing starts right up? Perfectly. I have no clue what happened. Anyway we will see what happens in the next couple of days...

 

Sounds like the PO was already in there... and the loose fuel pump assembly nut explains your fuel odor; glad you caught it in time..

Just a WAG but bet you get a new fuel pump...

 

so the old beast is dead. Towed to shop last night. I believe fuel pump went out. We will see...