Bad fuel smell in car

[Bo!]

Hi, over the last two days I have had a growing concern that there’s is a strong smell of petrol coming into the car when the heaters on. At first I thought it wasn’t the car but have realised it is. The smell is coming from the drivers side of the engine bay. I have had a look this evening and believe I may have narrowed it down to the hose that connects to the carbon canister from the fuel rail. There’s no obvious signs of a leak but the hose is sticky to the touch and the smell was stronger from that area when the car was running. Is it possible the hose is knackered and there are vapours escaping through it?

[pudding]

Yeah that hose gets porous and brittle with age.  You could just get a length of generic fuel hose from a motor factors and replace it. I don't reckon a replacement from VW is particularly cheap.

[Bo!]

I have had it in garage today, they have said the hose is ok.
Diagnosed visually injector 1 as having an issue fuel leaking from that area so more than likely injector seals. Not going to be cheap 🤑

[pudding]

Nope.  Removing/refitting the intake manifold and injectors is pretty labour intensive!  Perhaps you ought to consider some preventative maintenance whilst it's apart.  Refurbed/new injectors, carbon clean etc etc.