I smell gas...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan FL
I smell gas...
I have a '74 convertible, completely stock. When standing within 3 feet of the car, there is a strong gasoline smell. I've sniffed every inch of the car (much to the amusement of my neighbors) and cannot seem to locate the source. All hoses seem to be in good shape. What other hoses (other than readily visible) might be loose? There are no gasoline puddles in/under the car...seems to be a vapor issue.
Thanks in advance,
S. Kaye
Ft. Laud, FLA
Thanks in advance,
S. Kaye
Ft. Laud, FLA
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: I smell gas... (74FLCONV)
Probably have pin hole leaks in your gas lines.............I had them and they were small but I would replace them for sure.........Smell down the vents where the gas tank is....Mine were tiny and hardly visible
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Re: I smell gas... (74FLCONV)
I had a '76 Grand Prix that developed a gas smell inside and out with no puddles. Found a pin hole leak in the gas line going to the carb by leaving it running and raising the hood. Gas shot up 3 feet in the air in heart beat pluses. Entire under hood insulation was soaked. Moral, look for leak with engine running. :D
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,943
Likes: 44
From: Florham Park NJ Port Credit Ontario
Re: I smell gas... (74FLCONV)
Wanna hear my 2 cents?
My bet its the vapor cannister. Check to make sure it is hooked up properly. Chances are, if you are not the original owner, it has been unhooked and hoses will be dangling in the air.
Stew
My bet its the vapor cannister. Check to make sure it is hooked up properly. Chances are, if you are not the original owner, it has been unhooked and hoses will be dangling in the air.
Stew
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
Re: I smell gas... (74FLCONV)
Well, if it were me and I smelled gas, I would jack up the car, start at the fuel tank and work forward. Personally, I wouldn't be running the car until you find the fuel leak. :eek: With the car completely on four jacks, work your way forward, starting at the fuel pick up in the tank. Follow it along the rail to the fuel pump. From there work your way up through the pump to the carb. Then I would start down the driver's side of the car and follow the fuel return line. Don't forget that you have an emmissions vapor canister (drivers side, below the fender line, I think). I have heard of carbs dumping excess fuel into the vapor canister and having it full of gas. No personal experience here though. Finally, follow the fuel line to where it goes into the top, left portion of the fuel tank.
If all else fails, then I would have someone start the engine, another person with a fire extinguisher handy, and look for obvious fuel leaks. Of course, once the engine gets warmed up, it may be real difficult to see fuel dribbling out onto the hot components.
Gary
If all else fails, then I would have someone start the engine, another person with a fire extinguisher handy, and look for obvious fuel leaks. Of course, once the engine gets warmed up, it may be real difficult to see fuel dribbling out onto the hot components.
Gary
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville,Tn,USA TN
Re: I smell gas... (Kingt)
Under the car just in front of the rear pass. side tire, the fuel lines have a 90 degree bend and follow the frame up to the tank. Under the car, there is a gusset shaped like a triangle where the frame goes up. They hold dirt and rocks on top and rub against the fuel lines and can cause a hole in the fuel line and the fuel is soaked up by the dirt. Reach under the car and check there.
Neil in Tenn
Neil in Tenn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 13
From: Hollywood, Florida
Re: I smell gas... (74FLCONV)
WELCOME!!!!!! Glad to see another So. Fla member :cheers: :cheers:
I tend to agree with the vapor cannister theory.
Also, ck to make sure your car has the correct fuel cap--vented or not(Pressure issue??)
If you need me to lend a nostril, shoot me off an e-mail (shoptek@aol.com). I'd be glad to try to help :yesnod:
I tend to agree with the vapor cannister theory.
Also, ck to make sure your car has the correct fuel cap--vented or not(Pressure issue??)
If you need me to lend a nostril, shoot me off an e-mail (shoptek@aol.com). I'd be glad to try to help :yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
Re: I smell gas... (74FLCONV)
Another place to look, based on my experience with a '75 that my father-in-law owned, is the hose from the gas tank to the solid lines on the frame. You have to drop the tank to replace these but it is good peace of mind when it is done.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: Haysville Ks
Re: I smell gas... (74FLCONV)
Had the same problem with my 74, smell of gas when it sat in the garage, no leaks that I could see. I decided to change out the gas tank, when I removed it, I could see where gas was leaking from the tank under the gas tank straps. I guess all that rubbing for 27 years just wore away the metal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: I smell gas... (74FLCONV)
I had the same problem with my 74 and most of the posts above detailed the fixes. Start at the back of the car. Remove the driver side wheel and check the lines that run from the tank to the vapor canister lines. They are rubber where they connect to the vapor separator on the tank and they usually rot out from the muffler heat. Mine were leaking on my muffler when the tank was full. :eek: Then check the lines running to the vapor canister. They should be solid and have no leaks. Easy way to check them is to put a cap on one end of the line and hook a vacuum guage to the other end. If the line holds vacuum it's good. As far as the canister goes you might as well replace it. They don't cost much and a new one will probably last as long as the original. Why play around with it. If all this checks out well then go to the other side of the car and start from the tank forward checking the lines and rubber hoses. Also check the S hoses that run from the lines to the fuel pump. They dry out from engine heat and can leak too. Make sure the fittings going into the fuel pump and into the carb are also leak free. You shouldn't have any smell at all coming from the car unless you flood the carb. It took me a while to get everything leakfree and tight but it can be done. Good luck.