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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 09:54 AM
  #1  
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Default Gas smell

Good morning guys I have an issue with my 1976 Corvette that I can figure out and hopefully you guys can help me, I keep the Corvette in the garage and the garage is attached to the house I go and started up once or twice a week, I started back it outside let it run for a little bit bring it back in turn it off close the garage doors come back in the house all of a sudden I smell the strong gas smell and it’s every time I start the vette, The smell so strong that it spreads throughout the house, so I guess my question is what could be the problem? Could it possibly be that it’s running too rich?

Thank you
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 10:31 AM
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"Running rich" is unlikely to cause gasoline vapors throughout your house. I'd check for fuel leaks and be really careful about starting/running it until you have identified the source of the fuel that is escaping. When I got my '77 the two rubber hoses that go from the fuel pump to the steel lines that run to the tank were shot. They were allowing fuel to escape within about an inch and a half of the headers. Not good!

After I fixed those, the 90 degree elbow that threads into the bottom of the fuel pump failed. That one leaked fuel all over the garage floor and filled the house with the smell of gasoline. The wife was not happy!

Point being, identify and fix your issue ASAP before something bad happens.
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 10:36 AM
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Default Gas smell

Thank you so much I will definitely get on that right away, And I know what you mean about the wife not being happy because mine isn’t to happy as well.

thank you
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 11:29 AM
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Keep your car outside until you correct the problem.
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 12:01 PM
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Default Gas Smell

In several of my C3s the hoses on the tank were bad both top an bottom. Smell gets worse when running but also should have some odor when sitting.

I don't know how common, but recently I had fuel coming from the carb vent. You could have a needle or float issue that is blowing fuel out.

Good Luck
Jim
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 12:05 PM
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Letting the car "run for a litttle bit" will do more harm than not starting it. You are not allowing fluids to reach operating temperature and are building up substances that would normally evaporate at full operating temperature. Buy a tricke charger, such as Deltran, and only start the car if you intend to drive it.
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 12:07 PM
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Default Gas smell

Thanks Jim, I would definitely look into the hoses as well, as far as it being maybe a carburetor issue it’s a brand new Edelbrock carburetor and the engine has been rebuilt not even a-year-old.
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by resdoggie
Keep your car outside until you correct the problem.
Car is outside as we speak
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 12:10 PM
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Did you have the smell before the carburetor install?
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 12:11 PM
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Default Gas smell

Originally Posted by MelWff
Letting the car "run for a litttle bit" will do more harm than not starting it. You are not allowing fluids to reach operating temperature and are building up substances that would normally evaporate at full operating temperature. Buy a tricke charger, such as Deltran, and only start the car if you intend to drive it.
The car is not roadworthy yet that’s why I start it and let it run warm it up and park it back in the garage I’m having that restored.
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 12:47 PM
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Sometimes the Vapor Canister behind the drivers side front inner fender is the culprit. Lots of former threads on that subject, whether to do away with it or not.
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 01:34 PM
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Switching gas caps solved my gas smell problem. Recently its been dumping fuel/running rich. I'm working on that as we speak. Plugs were all wet, float bowl gasket on Qjet was soaked through as well.
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 04:36 PM
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Be very careful! Back in the 70's I knew a guy that was changing the rear leaf springs on an old jeep wagon. Spring got away and punched the gas tank. As he was scrambling to get him and the creeper out from under the rig, the fumes hit the gas water heater pilot light. The fireball blew him and the creeper out into the street and burned half the house down. He got scorched pretty good too.
I urge you to not leak gas or fumes inside the garage.
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by HeadsU.P.
Sometimes the Vapor Canister behind the drivers side front inner fender is the culprit. Lots of former threads on that subject, whether to do away with it or not.
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by stumpshot
Be very careful! Back in the 70's I knew a guy that was changing the rear leaf springs on an old jeep wagon. Spring got away and punched the gas tank. As he was scrambling to get him and the creeper out from under the rig, the fumes hit the gas water heater pilot light. The fireball blew him and the creeper out into the street and burned half the house down. He got scorched pretty good too.
I urge you to not leak gas or fumes inside the garage.
There's a forum member who blew up his house due to a fuel leak. The fridge in his garage cut in and sparked the gas vapours. A flick of the light switch is also a source for ignition. If the gas smell is throughout the house and obviously concentrated in the garage, take heed folks!
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Old Nov 8, 2018 | 07:42 PM
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Is your choke coming on when its cold? FInished or not just let it sit, running here and there for a few minutes isnt doing it any favors.
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