Hari

I have a 1996 2.8 A4Q and everytime I have say more than a half tank of gas there is a persistant fuel smell. Also my gas gauge goes from "empty" to normal every few minutes. Do you believe these two problems could be related? If so in what way and what is your suggestion? I searched the forums by the way and already replaced the fuel pump cover gasket under the port in the trunk... no change.

ChooChooNongNongHead

check your lines, fuel cap, fuel pump cap and area, charcoal canister etc.
I also have the erratic fuel gauge. It is probably the fuel sending unit or wires going to it. It is located on the fuel pump in the tank. You can either try to repair it (LINK) or replace it/ IIRC when I did a search, I may have read that this smell may be related to that sensor but I have no idea how and am not getting any smell in my car.
You'll need some specific tools (I did) for removing the fuel pump and I recommend doing it with little or no gas in the tank.<ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec77.shtml">&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;link&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt; </a></li></ul>

ChooChooNongNongHead

sure enough, it was the broken wire that the tech article pointed out. Easy 1/2 hour job, a bit of soldering, and cost me nothing... Woohoo! no more constant fuel gauge beeping. It was driving me nuts for months.
Thanks for inspiring me Hari. The job is not hard and you don't need to remove the fuel pump. Just make sure that that ring that secures the fuel tank hole is TIGHT (may be why you're getting the smell). Mark it and hammer it until those marks line up.

Hari

I have checked everything besides the charcoal canister. Do you happen to know where it is?

ChooChooNongNongHead

there is a plate covering that area with 3 or 4 bolts or nuts.