Anyone out there got a suggestion for this? I have a 64 Wildcat and my engine and carb are freshly rebuilt. I have noticed the smell of gas after I pretty much fill the car up but, on inspecting everything that I can think of, I find no leaks anywhere. Someone told me that the possible problem is that the top of the fuel tank may be rotted just enough to allow vapors to escape when the tank is close to or completely full. If the car is under 1/2 tank, ther is no smell at all. I never took the tank off the car and did not have to fool with the sending unit or line at that end because everything worked fine once I got the car rolling with the fresh engine. Any suggestions? Thanks
Same thing on my wagon, I dont run more than half a tank or it gets smelly. They also like too rust behind the metal straps that holds it up. Its not hard too drop but you may need new straps. Just run it as low as possible. They are heavy with just a tad of gas. I once patched a good size leak on the bottom of a tank with some fiber bondo and some fiberglass hardener. The gas pouring out may of helped too but it stuck and never leaked again. Of course it was on an older car with a vented system, no real pressure. [79 Duster] That stuff they sell in the auto store works kinda but not that well once it gets gas covered. A new tank is the best option if its real bad but we used too lead or bondo over holes and tears all the time in school. They say you cannot weld a tank once gas has been in it. Not sure why, gas soaks into the metal? Not sure. But I have also seen people cut up tanks and make custom ones after a good washing but a car tank is so much bigger and its the vapors that will get you. One day unloading a lawnmower the old man who owned the truck picks up a full gas can and sits it down on top of a top post battery. Right next too me. Its archin and sparkin and putting pinholes in the can, while the gas starts squirting out them. I am ready too drop it and run but it never went up or caught fire. Its like the gas put the fire out? I was so pissed but thankful. -Matt
Kevin, I had I a similar problem with my 65 GS. I found a leak in the tank and fixed it, but also found the rubber hose that goes from the metal lines to the tank had a break in it on the top, out if sight, I had to reach up and feel it to tell it was broken on the top. there was also some sign of a leak. I replaced the hose and no more smell or leak. Hope this helps. Take care Kevin. Bill Bailey
Thanks guys, I will inspect that rubber hose if I can get to it and if worse comes to worse, I found a gastank repair shop that supposedly has a great reputation in PA. They charge 150 to 300 for rebuild depending on what has to be done and they stand behind their work. My car just happens to be one of the model years that all the new tank companies skipped when making replacement tanks. The car is old, the repair is reasonable so, if I have to do it at least I'll know it will last another 30 years or so..Thanks again.
If you notice the smell of gas while you're driving, believe it or not, it could simply be your gas cap isn't sealing. Try replacing it, it's a cheap fix. Had this problem on my 72 and that's what it turned out to be.
Larry, that sound too almost too simple but, I did initially check around the gas filler to thinking that gas had simply spilled out. It does nonly smell when driving and the cap is not in very good condition. I'll try it, maybe I'll get lucky. Thanks
I may be wrong but aren't the gas caps vented to the atmosphere until 1971 when they started used the closed system with the cannister?? Just a thought. later Tim
Tim, Actually I believe they were not vented until 71. My 70 has a non-vented cap, and my 72 had a vented cap. My 70 has a tank with a breather type of vent that attaches to the upper left and right sides of the tank.
Do not weld gas tanks! As an ex welder/boilermaker/safety office I can assure you that any attempt to weld (or even grind) a vessel that has previously held a flammable liquid of any kind is VERY DANGEROUS!!. Explosions are usually very powerful and have a tendency to kill you. I have seen this demonstrated in training videos (not the killing - of course - but the explosions) and believe me, it aint pretty. When the explosions occured most of the class was startled and actually twitched resulting in several comments buzzing around the class such as "jeeeeez!" or (as we say down here) "crickeys!" and even a few "Far out!'s". Even if you have 'boiled' them out or are filled them with water (old and tired industrial legends). This includes large or small drums as well as fuel tanks. The problem is not one of fuel soaking into the metal (but your close). Instead, the problem lies with fuel being next to impossible to remove from the seams of the vessel. If you want to gamble that's up to you but if that tank explodes you are a dead man - if they find anything left of you. I know that there are many people who have tried this and some have even survived. My advice (for what it's worth)...don't do it! We need as many Buick enthusiasts as possible and we prefer them in one piece and alive. I have been know to be over cautious when it comes to safety but here I am after all these years with all my fingers, toes, eyes and limbs in tact and working properly. Industrial accidents hurt - a lot and it's never worth the savings.
Odd, I will try to find the docs on it, but perhaps it was 70 on when they started the self contained system...perhaps the 72 had the wrong cap? I thought it was made into law in 71....who knows?? Later Tim
The charcoal canisters started in 1970 in California only. 1971 for the rest of the states. They only let air in not out. I had a big problem with that on my 71 Riv after I installed the fuel injection. Pressure would build up in the tank (I assume from the fuel being heated from circulating) and it blew out rubber lines and leaked gas everywhere. I ended up venting it at the "standpipe" which is an air/fuel seperator that leads to the charcoal canister.
My 71 service manual states "All 1971 Buicks will be equipped with a system designed to prevent escape of fuel vapour to the atmosphere. Vapour generated by the evaporation of fuel in the tank, previously exhausted to the atmosphere will be transferred by an emission line to the engine comaprtment..." (and then it describes the cannister, etc) ...it goes on to say that the gas cap is not vented but does have relief if needed....it would also allow air in but not out (unless it hits the pressure releif value i would guess?). New procedure for the gas cap as well where the first stop allows pressure to relieve, then rotate off those tangs to get cap off. They say minimal pressure increases with closed system. I would still think the stock cap for the 64 that started all this is vented to atmosphere!LOL Tom, I would guess the higher pressures (I assume a return line pressure increase and volume increase as well) in a FI system and the heat would put more pressure into the tank than originally designed. BTW, you have any pictures of the setup?? I've always thought FI is much better then carbs for drivability, just can't do it on a restoration..... Man, everything gets so complicated!!! later Tim
How the hell did all this go from the "smell of gas" to complex physics and chemistry? I try to live by the K.I.S.S. prinicple. "Keep It Simple Stupid" All kidding aside, I just flipped the filler cover and noticed raw gas on the outside of my gas cap. Looks like that may be the problem after all. K.I.S.S. will work almost everytime. Thanks for all the input anyway guys.
BuickStreet- You have a very nice site, the story on the '49 is very good. I think that everyone on this site would kill to have that car whether they are rod lovers or not. Goday!
Oopsou: , I guess we get carried away sometimes, LOL:laugh: Hope the gas cap is the problem after all:TU: Don't you just hate it when it turns out to be something simple like that. Let us know what happens.
My original 1970 Skylark Custom cap says "non vented" right on it. Once a bit of gas actually spurted out on a really hot day, when I took off the cap and topped off the tank. I can beleive they're not vented- I got gas on my snakeskin boot!
I had problems with an Olds wagon once and I used an electric fuel pump and did a reverse pressure of the system and found a leaky hose over the rear wheel well. -Matt
