Strong Gas Smell
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
Strong Gas Smell
I'm new to the forum and I love it. Just bought a super nice 70 Coupe with 66K original miles. The car has been repainted (original color), but appears all original and unrestored otherwise. (I'll have to figure out how to post pictures).
Anyway, I notice a really strong gas smell in my garage from the Vette. I noticed it was much worse when the tank was over half full. I do not smell it under the hood, but if I open the fuel lid (with the gas cap fully secured) I can really smell a strong gas odor. Once the tank goes under half full or a little less, the smell is much less noticable. I have ordered a new gas cap, and will try that, but I think it is probably something else since my gas cap seems to fit tightly.
Any thoughts on what might be going on?
Thanks for your help.
Anyway, I notice a really strong gas smell in my garage from the Vette. I noticed it was much worse when the tank was over half full. I do not smell it under the hood, but if I open the fuel lid (with the gas cap fully secured) I can really smell a strong gas odor. Once the tank goes under half full or a little less, the smell is much less noticable. I have ordered a new gas cap, and will try that, but I think it is probably something else since my gas cap seems to fit tightly.
Any thoughts on what might be going on?
Thanks for your help.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: san diego ca
If I top off and park on a slant (mostly notice this uphill) I get gas leaking out the back. I think there are some rubber hoses or ??? on the top of the tank that are very inaccessible that might need attention. Perhaps your situation is similar.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Originally Posted by vettelawyer
I'm new to the forum and I love it. Just bought a super nice 70 Coupe with 66K original miles. The car has been repainted (original color), but appears all original and unrestored otherwise. (I'll have to figure out how to post pictures).
Anyway, I notice a really strong gas smell in my garage from the Vette. I noticed it was much worse when the tank was over half full. I do not smell it under the hood, but if I open the fuel lid (with the gas cap fully secured) I can really smell a strong gas odor. Once the tank goes under half full or a little less, the smell is much less noticable. I have ordered a new gas cap, and will try that, but I think it is probably something else since my gas cap seems to fit tightly.
Any thoughts on what might be going on?
Thanks for your help.
Anyway, I notice a really strong gas smell in my garage from the Vette. I noticed it was much worse when the tank was over half full. I do not smell it under the hood, but if I open the fuel lid (with the gas cap fully secured) I can really smell a strong gas odor. Once the tank goes under half full or a little less, the smell is much less noticable. I have ordered a new gas cap, and will try that, but I think it is probably something else since my gas cap seems to fit tightly.
Any thoughts on what might be going on?
Thanks for your help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
There was a previous post where I showed how I fixed mine with Marine-Tex epoxy (better gas resistance than other epoxies). Here is the repaired vent canister. No more gas smell in the garage. Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 0
From: Canton Ohio
to get to it you have to drop the tank almost completely out and reach up on the drivers side of the tanks and unbolt it! It is a lot of fun, especially if you still have youy mufflers in back there!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,370
Likes: 1,062
From: Virginia USA
Originally Posted by GaryS
You have a fuel vapor condenser on the upper leftof the tank that takes fuel vapors and condenses back into liquid. These plastic pieces were never meant to last 35 years and, as a result, many C3 owners suffer this problem. The band aid cure is to not fill your tank above the 3/4 level and always park on a level spot. Since there aren't any any repro units available you are pretty much SOL. Sorry. I suffer the same problem with my 72.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 377
Likes: 1
From: Anchorage Alaska
The charcoal cannister was removed from my car, but there appears to be a vented cap in place now (owner drilled a small hole in each side of the cap to provide venting?) He did, however, leave the check-valve, and it's operable. I just completed installation of a couple of weld-in bungs for larger fuel line, and to use the existing 3/8" as return. I replaced cap as well. Question: Should I abandon (block-off) the vent at the tank and go with a vented cap, or, leave it to vent through the check-valve and line to the front of the car? Thanks! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
Originally Posted by 73 Vet
The charcoal cannister was removed from my car, but there appears to be a vented cap in place now (owner drilled a small hole in each side of the cap to provide venting?) He did, however, leave the check-valve, and it's operable. I just completed installation of a couple of weld-in bungs for larger fuel line, and to use the existing 3/8" as return. I replaced cap as well. Question: Should I abandon (block-off) the vent at the tank and go with a vented cap, or, leave it to vent through the check-valve and line to the front of the car? Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 377
Likes: 1
From: Anchorage Alaska
Originally Posted by joe73vette
If the cannister is missing, see where the hose on the drivers side goes. If it's just dangling, there is no need for the check valve by the tank and you can cap the vent hose fitting at the tank and use the vented gas cap. Joe
