RainMan12

If your Corvette has had a problem with fuel smell coming from the car after you fill the tank, YOU NEED TO GO TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND FILL OUT A COMPLAINT.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml

This issue seems to be reported most often on 2008 Corvettes, but it may also impact other year models.

This issue is very serious. Fuel leaks out the top of the tanks, and will then drip down the back side onto the hot exhaust. If ignored this could result in a fire and possible death.

If parked overnight in a garage, the vapor will fill the garage and could easily be triggered into an explosion and fire from a gas water heater or other ignition source.

I can't park my C6 in my garage without it filling the entire garage with fumes so strong that I can't even keep my dogs in there. The vapors then seep into the house. The car is unsafe to drive, and unsafe to leave parked.

This is a safety defect, and if GM doesn't recall these cars and fix them, it is eventually going to result in someones car burning up and possibly burning down their house as well. The potential for loss of life is very high, and the problem that causes this needs to be found and fixed before someone dies from it.

RainMan12

Here are just a few other threads I've found on this forum about this issue, and there are lots more.

IF EVER THERE WAS A NEED FOR A SAFETY RECALL, THIS IS IT!!!


https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-gas-leak.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-in-cabin.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...gas-smell.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-gas-odor.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-gas-leak.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ine-smell.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-started.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-and-leak.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ealership.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...om-dealer.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-problem.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...as-in-car.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...gas-smell.html

Boomer111

I have seen the many gas smell threads after fueling. I have an 2008 and never experienced this problem. I know my hearing is bad and now wonder if my sense of smell is too. lol jk.

More importantly I would want to find the cause of a strong fuel smell.

Some have replaced the gas cap with good results.

RainMan12

The cause is that fuel leaks at the TOP of the tank, usually the drivers side. It pools on top of the tank in a big puddle, and eventually leaks down the back side onto the exhaust. This happens when the tank is full or near full.

If yours leaks, you won't be able to ignore it. The smell invades the cockpit of the car as well, and it is overwhelming.

wayback

When the nozzle clicks off do not add one more drop. This should fix 99% of the problems. If not take it to a dealer and have it fixed. Better to pay to have it fixed than the possible problems that could occur.

RainMan12

If you have one that leaks, it isn't because you overfilled it. It will leak anytime the car is above about 3/4 full.

If you have a car that has this problem, please go fill out the form on the NHTSA site.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml

wayback

I had the gas smell anytime tank was over half full. Dealer did a smoke test and found the leak in the EVAP line coming off fuel pump. Pump was replaced under warranty.

RainMan12

Please report it on the NHTSA form.

carpe dm

RainMan12

Stopping when the nozzle clicks will not fix a seal that is leaking. I always stop at the first click, and I still have a leak. I can stop at 3/4 of a tank and I still have a gas smell.

The problem is that there is a defect in the system.

jaimeleger

Jhanks Jaime

RainMan12

By the way, I'd just like to point out that if you smell gas, it is because you have a leak. Don't let anyone try to tell you it is because the gas cap is leaking. Vapor won't seep out of the tank when the car is parked because no air is being exchanged.

What causes the fuel smell is that the fuel leaks and puddles on TOP of the gas tank(s) when they are full, because the leak originates at the top of the tank. You won't see gas dripping down the tank when it is parked. The leaking occurs from the sloshing of fuel when it is full, and when you are driving, the leaked gas will run down the back side of the tank. Once you stop, it won't leak anymore because it isn't sloshing against the top of the tank, but the puddled fuel remains on the top of the tank and starts to evaporate and causes the smell. When driving, the fuel that spills down the back side of the tank goes right over the hot exhaust pipes, and this presents a huge fire risk. When parked in an enclosed area, the fuel vapors also present a serious hazard.

Granitehead53

I just had my 08 Coupe at the dealership last week. Had it there to check out gas smell. They checked everything and did a Smoke Test and could not find anything. Have not smelled it since I picked it up. I filled the tank before I took it to them as well.

RainMan12

I'd bet money your problem will be back.

Robs 1988

I don't think I have ever smelled this coming from mine, but I have a 2005. I'm not sure if it extends to those models or not. That would suck for sure to have it and the house go up in flames though.

Mad*Max

if there is a gas leak you should notice gas consumption going up, it might not be a lot but definitely it will be noticeable

SmileyOr

My experience of overfilling for those that may wonder about it:

I overfilled mine once when filling up, went a little more after the click (first setting was on high). I didn't stop filling until I noticed it pouring out of the neck! And it din't take much. Wasn't more than a second or so and it was probably pouring out. I've learned that these tanks do fill right up to the neck on the auto stop of the pump.

When this happened I could only smell the fumes while standing next to the car. Once I closed things up and drove off I didn't smell anything from the cockpit or around the car after I got home.

So this doesn't sound like the leak you are talking about.

joeking

No problem with my 05 but it appears it mainly 08's that are affected. One click and it's full.

Tonylmiller

Is there a recall? If not, would a mod change the thread title please? It should read "RECALL NEEDED" or something like that.

RainMan12

Sorry, that was my fault, I probably should have titled it better.

NHTSA is currently looking into this issue, but at this point in time, there is no official recall.

It appears that the plastic GM uses on the fuel pumps (and possibly other fuel parts as well) turns brittle over time, and then cracks at the top of the pump and leaks. The problem has absolutely nothing to do with how much you filled the tank.

If you have previously paid to have your car fixed for a gas leak at the tanks, you should save your repair bill receipts, because in the event there is a recall for this, you could get reimbursed.

This is also why if you have previously had this problem and gotten it fixed, you should go to the NHTSA site and fill out the complaint form, because this will give them more evidence they need to get GM to do a recall.