I have a distinct fuel smell, especially when the tank is over half full. I have all fuel system components in place... return line and charcoal canister. Totally stock car. I suspect some sort of leak at the tank, but no liquid ever appears (clean garage floor). I cannot pinpoint the smell. The car runs well with the exception of the carb draining after sitting for overnight or longer. Can this be related? TIA Franko No:
It might be the float on the carb. I'd check that. Otherwise im stumped too.o No: ___________ Rob 1972 Riviera
Fuel smell can come from anywhere there is fuel. Typically, the smell comes from the carb. The fuel is not what it was 30+ years ago; it vaporizes very easily now, especially during a hot soak. This period is when the engine has just been shut off and the contained temperatures rise quickly. This causes the fuel in the carb to boil, with a resulting very strong odor. Remove the air cleaner and look down the carb for vapor resembling smoke rising from the bowl vents. Ray
This can be very difficult to pinpoint. I have had two such occurances over 30 years. The first was a pinhole leak in the fuel line itself, took a few weeks to locate. I replaced entire line, problem solved!:grin: The second was in the gas tank fill tube itself, somehow a 1/16 inch hole developed about 4 inches below the gas cap. Make sure you check the rubber gasket where the filler tube enters the tank itself, other than that you may need to run you fingers over every inch of line, looking for any imperfection. Gasoline odors are not normal and need to be corrected. You might try a new gas cap as well. Good luck, Tom
I had the same problem, gas smell only when the tank was full or near full and only when I was driving. Replacing the gas cap cured it. Cheap and easy
Before accepting this condition, check everything carefully for leaks. Since we are dealing with old components, prone to failure, and the fact that we are dealing with a highly flammable compound, I do not suggest simply accepting it. As the other posts suggest, seals, gas cap, lines etc can all leak, causing a significant problem. Be sure that your system is completely intact. My suggestion about the float bowl is a possible source. The carb bowl is significantly smaller than a 20+ gallon tank. I am saying that if the entire system is truly intact, it is possible for fuel vaporization from the bowl to be a source and that it may not be possible to eliminate the problem completely. I strongly suggest being safe first, then accept other possibilities. Do not plat with something this potentially dangerous . On some of thlater model vehicles, charcoal cannisters were installed in air cleaners to alleviate some of the hazard. They do not restrict air flow, and may help with your problem. Ray
If you have a Quadrajet, and the fuel leaks out of the bowl overnight, the secondary well plugs are probably leaking. They make a kit for this, you should fix that b/c that will make it run too rich also. :bglasses:
gas leak My 1966 Caddy Convert smelled like gas for several years. It got progressivly worse and was worse at over 1/2 a tank. Never saw a drip or damp spot. While having the Tranny rebuilt after 25 years and about 115K, I asked My trans guy to look for it. He called after test driving the car & putting it on the lift. It was laeking out of a pinhole in the Original rubber hoses over the axle and runnig down the line to a low point, and dripping on to the HOT Muffler! No wonder I never saw a puddle. Please check Your car before IT , YOU, or your garage becomes Toast!
