Gas smell
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Sharon MA
Gas smell
Dear Fellow Corvette lovers
I am new to this and own a 1970 Stingray for 10 months
It has a ZZM 355 hp GM crate engine. I have 2 questions to ask and appreciate your help in advance
1. I have a persistent gas smell when the car is idling or parked in the garage. I can find no leak and my mechanic can't find anything wrong. Any thoughts?
2. Yesterday after filling up the gas tank, my fuel gauge went from full to empty and stay at empty. Occasionally it swings baakc to half full and quickly goes back to empty. Suggestions?
Thanks
Scott
I am new to this and own a 1970 Stingray for 10 months
It has a ZZM 355 hp GM crate engine. I have 2 questions to ask and appreciate your help in advance
1. I have a persistent gas smell when the car is idling or parked in the garage. I can find no leak and my mechanic can't find anything wrong. Any thoughts?
2. Yesterday after filling up the gas tank, my fuel gauge went from full to empty and stay at empty. Occasionally it swings baakc to half full and quickly goes back to empty. Suggestions?
Thanks
Scott
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Frisco Tx
I JUST had the exact same problem with a crate engine in my 79.
The fuel injected engine was still connected to the Vapor Canister for some reason. Since there's no carburetor for it to go back into, it was just spitting out fuel vapors into the air (and mostly into me when I was driving). We just disconnected the line to the Vapor Canister and plugged it. Problem solved.
I hope that works for you as well as it did for me.
(can't help with the fuel gauge though... sorry)
The fuel injected engine was still connected to the Vapor Canister for some reason. Since there's no carburetor for it to go back into, it was just spitting out fuel vapors into the air (and mostly into me when I was driving). We just disconnected the line to the Vapor Canister and plugged it. Problem solved.
I hope that works for you as well as it did for me.
(can't help with the fuel gauge though... sorry)
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
check your steel gas lines going from carb to tank,
if they are orginal,
they are probable nearly rusted thru from the inside and not visible.
but gas will weep out where you cannot see it.
I would advise to change them if orginal.
Gauge is a completely different problem.
if they are orginal,
they are probable nearly rusted thru from the inside and not visible.
but gas will weep out where you cannot see it.
I would advise to change them if orginal.
Gauge is a completely different problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Scott,
I believe I'd check out the ground connection on the fuel sending unit.
You can just get to it by opening and dropping the spare tire tub. The sender is a little to the right of center under the tank.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I believe I'd check out the ground connection on the fuel sending unit.
You can just get to it by opening and dropping the spare tire tub. The sender is a little to the right of center under the tank.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I JUST had the exact same problem with a crate engine in my 79.
The fuel injected engine was still connected to the Vapor Canister for some reason. Since there's no carburetor for it to go back into, it was just spitting out fuel vapors into the air (and mostly into me when I was driving). We just disconnected the line to the Vapor Canister and plugged it. Problem solved.
I hope that works for you as well as it did for me.
(can't help with the fuel gauge though... sorry)
The fuel injected engine was still connected to the Vapor Canister for some reason. Since there's no carburetor for it to go back into, it was just spitting out fuel vapors into the air (and mostly into me when I was driving). We just disconnected the line to the Vapor Canister and plugged it. Problem solved.
I hope that works for you as well as it did for me.
(can't help with the fuel gauge though... sorry)
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Frisco Tx
That explains the hiss from my gas cap yesterday. However, does a vented gas cap just open the door for the fuel smell again and we're back where we started?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
The last time I noticed the smell of gas, my vette caught on fire....75% of engine compartment burnt up. Now i'm in the middle of a body-off restoration because of it. Luckily we were able to get the fire out and did not have a complete melt down, but it still did enough damage...
Now i'm in the middle of a body-off restoration because of it. Luckily we were able to get the fire out and did not have a complete melt down, but it still did enough damage...
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Pace Florida
I had the same smell and this fixed it. Run your hands along the top of the frame on the passenger side where the gas line runs and see if you get any gas on your fingers that has weeped out. Doesn't have to be much to smell fumes all the time.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I'll throw in a couple based on my experience over the last two weeks.
This is the fuel pump end of the rubber "S" hose, frame to pump. The car ran. Symptom: slow drip when car parked.
This fuel pump had a small rupture in the diaphragm. The car ran. Symptom: same as above but also visible film of fuel seeping from upper vent holes.
This is the fuel pump end of the rubber "S" hose, frame to pump. The car ran. Symptom: slow drip when car parked.
This fuel pump had a small rupture in the diaphragm. The car ran. Symptom: same as above but also visible film of fuel seeping from upper vent holes.
Last edited by Paul L; Jul 6, 2011 at 07:32 AM.
