fuel smell
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 799
Likes: 21
From: Rock Hill SC
fuel smell
Hey all... new to me '71 LT-1, been in the garage at night and have noticed a pretty strong fuel smell. Filled 'er up this afternoon, and she was in the closed garage for about 2 hours, when we could actually smell the odor of gasoline inside the house. Really strong in the garage. Saw no leaks anywhere, didn't seem to be coming from the fill cap, no leaks underneath. Just a very strong odor. Any ideas?
On a cruise yesterday, and the person behind me said there appeared to be a liquid (fuel?) dripping from the exhaust as we drove along... again, no notable fuel spots on the floor.
With all the posts recently about Corvette fires, I'm a little concerned, or is this just a normal thing associated with a 36 year old car?
Any advice is appreciated...
On a cruise yesterday, and the person behind me said there appeared to be a liquid (fuel?) dripping from the exhaust as we drove along... again, no notable fuel spots on the floor.
With all the posts recently about Corvette fires, I'm a little concerned, or is this just a normal thing associated with a 36 year old car?
Any advice is appreciated...
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock TX
This happend to me, not as bad but i could smell it in the garage and a little in the house.
the fuel lines from the tank to the metal line on the frame were leaking right at that metal line. the fuel just spread out on the frame and evaporated before it would drip. so i could smell it but couldnt see any drips. i would check all along those lines. hope this helps
sean
the fuel lines from the tank to the metal line on the frame were leaking right at that metal line. the fuel just spread out on the frame and evaporated before it would drip. so i could smell it but couldnt see any drips. i would check all along those lines. hope this helps
sean
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 10
From: Grafton MA
For what it's worth, my LT-1 leaves a smell of gas too; nothing dripping from my tail pipes though. It has been the same since i got it a little over a year ago and haven't had any problems so just chalked it up to being a 36 year old car. Smell in the garage is pretty noticeable but not very strong in the house. Not sure if that's the case or if there's something else wrong that needs attention. I guess I'll be listening to what others have to say too 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 799
Likes: 21
From: Rock Hill SC
This happend to me, not as bad but i could smell it in the garage and a little in the house.
the fuel lines from the tank to the metal line on the frame were leaking right at that metal line. the fuel just spread out on the frame and evaporated before it would drip. so i could smell it but couldnt see any drips. i would check all along those lines. hope this helps
sean
the fuel lines from the tank to the metal line on the frame were leaking right at that metal line. the fuel just spread out on the frame and evaporated before it would drip. so i could smell it but couldnt see any drips. i would check all along those lines. hope this helps
sean
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Mine smells to, but I have a vented gas cap. This are not sealed systems like our new cars and gas collects in the bowls, manifold, and vents out through the tank also.
I've got a gas water heater in my garage, so you can imagine how I feel.
I've got a gas water heater in my garage, so you can imagine how I feel.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 799
Likes: 21
From: Rock Hill SC
Doing a little research on this forum, seems to have been a few previous threads. I'll look around the tank/sending unit. Any ideas Paulywannafly?
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,991
Likes: 3
From: Piscataway NJ
Check the fuel pump. I had the fuel smell problem it was the canister leaking where it it crimpped to the main body. Put a new pump on and no more smell. But check what the other members have found. This could be a disaster with the winter ahead. Especially those with attached garages.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
I just had the same problem with my 81. Sometimes I would smell gas and then other times nothing? What I found was when the tank was above half the gas would run down the fuel lines and leak around the crimp at the top. When the level was low there was no smell, just put a new pump on friday, filled her up no more smell. What I noticed right away was a better response when I give it the pedal, some one mentioned that the old pump was worn and LAZY!
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
This happend to me, not as bad but i could smell it in the garage and a little in the house.
the fuel lines from the tank to the metal line on the frame were leaking right at that metal line. the fuel just spread out on the frame and evaporated before it would drip. so i could smell it but couldnt see any drips. i would check all along those lines. hope this helps
sean
the fuel lines from the tank to the metal line on the frame were leaking right at that metal line. the fuel just spread out on the frame and evaporated before it would drip. so i could smell it but couldnt see any drips. i would check all along those lines. hope this helps
sean
And also check where the fuel line runs along the passenger side frame rail and then goes up the frame to go over the pass. tire.There is a horizontal triangular gusset just under the where passengers right butt cheek would be that the fuel line lays in...it can get pretty rusty there and if it is full of dirt you wont see any fuel on the floor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
[QUOTE=Artsvette73;1562809589]Check the fuel pump.
--possibly the diaphram in the fuel pump if all fittings are properly tight and tank does not have any rust pin holes on the top
SEMPER FI--1970 Dave
--possibly the diaphram in the fuel pump if all fittings are properly tight and tank does not have any rust pin holes on the topSEMPER FI--1970 Dave
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Is there any smell of gas on the engine oil dipstick, in other words do you think the fuel pump may be leaking internally into the crankcase. It wouldnt really explain why you have the smell of gas but if its leaking enough you may have gas in the oil. Worth checking. Peace, Good luck, Moosie 
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vet
OUCH! I don't think I'd sleep at night! I am worried especially because my son's room is right above the garage... I hate the idea of a fuel leak... etc...
Doing a little research on this forum, seems to have been a few previous threads. I'll look around the tank/sending unit. Any ideas Paulywannafly?
Bill
Doing a little research on this forum, seems to have been a few previous threads. I'll look around the tank/sending unit. Any ideas Paulywannafly?
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
I'd take it outside and run it in neutral so I could see if more than condensation was coming out of the tailpipes.
Also something crazy, and I know it sounds crazy, but a mechanic told me that these things smelled like gas from the factory. A fix was to put a potato above the gas cap. It is supposed to absorb fumes. I know it's crazy, but I've noticed a difference when I've done it.
Also something crazy, and I know it sounds crazy, but a mechanic told me that these things smelled like gas from the factory. A fix was to put a potato above the gas cap. It is supposed to absorb fumes. I know it's crazy, but I've noticed a difference when I've done it.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 551
Likes: 2
From: Clovis CA
I'd take it outside and run it in neutral so I could see if more than condensation was coming out of the tailpipes.
Also something crazy, and I know it sounds crazy, but a mechanic told me that these things smelled like gas from the factory. A fix was to put a potato above the gas cap. It is supposed to absorb fumes. I know it's crazy, but I've noticed a difference when I've done it.
Also something crazy, and I know it sounds crazy, but a mechanic told me that these things smelled like gas from the factory. A fix was to put a potato above the gas cap. It is supposed to absorb fumes. I know it's crazy, but I've noticed a difference when I've done it.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: ellisville mo
I have a 79 and am experiencing the same problem with the smell of fumes after I drive. When I leave it in the garage overnight the smell of fuel goes away and doesn't return until it is again driven. I recently had the carb rebuilt. The mechanic has checked all the fuel lines that he can inspect and can find no leakage that is apparent. I have placed newspapers under the area of fuel lines and can't find any sign of fuel leakage. Is this a common problem with the 79s? I'm thinking of changing the vapor canister. I need to do something before my wife makes the garage off limits for my toy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
The day I test drove my vette, I noticed something dripping off the HOT muffler & making a stain on the blacktop after the drive. I touched it with my finger and smelled gas. It was a drip 123 drip 123... Sure enough one of the rubber fuel lines was leaking between the sender and metal gas lines. The owner was a mechanic and fixed it right away.
The vette was delivered to me several weeks later and when I filled it up and put it in the garage it stank of gas! WTF! Did'nt leak when there was 1/4 tank. Saw a fuel stain on the floor and when I got under to check it out the sender was all wet. I had the gasket replaced figuring it was 37 years old, filled it up and gas was still leaking! It ended up that there was a hairline crack we couldn't see, where one of the lines was attached to the sender mounting base, which was disturbed when the new gasket was replaced. Replaced the sender and all is fine. The only time I smell gas now is when I pull off the air cleaner.
Good luck.
Glenn
The vette was delivered to me several weeks later and when I filled it up and put it in the garage it stank of gas! WTF! Did'nt leak when there was 1/4 tank. Saw a fuel stain on the floor and when I got under to check it out the sender was all wet. I had the gasket replaced figuring it was 37 years old, filled it up and gas was still leaking! It ended up that there was a hairline crack we couldn't see, where one of the lines was attached to the sender mounting base, which was disturbed when the new gasket was replaced. Replaced the sender and all is fine. The only time I smell gas now is when I pull off the air cleaner.
Good luck.
Glenn
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
And also check where the fuel line runs along the passenger side frame rail and then goes up the frame to go over the pass. tire.There is a horizontal triangular gusset just under the where passengers right butt cheek would be that the fuel line lays in...it can get pretty rusty there and if it is full of dirt you wont see any fuel on the floor.
It is not normal or acceptable to be smelling gas to the extent you described. That is one problem that needs immediate correction, or park the car outside. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 204
From: Lincoln CA
Good thread. My 69 BB smelled like gas while it was underway. If you put the T-tops in, the car smelled like gasoline, particularly after a fill up. A couple of mechanics had looks at it and couldn't find anything wrong. I finally bought some cork gasket material for the locking gas cap and re-gasketed it. The problem went away.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 1
IMHO, any aftermarket mods to these old analog cars creates fuel smell.
I just turn on the ceiling fan & crack the garage door when I roll in from a drive.