Probably the dumbest question ever asked
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Orland Park IL
Probably the dumbest question ever asked
I purchased my '71 Steel Cities Gray Coupe last month and made room in the garage for it by parking my other car outside leaving plenty of room between my new favorite child, my wife's car and the kid's junk.
Today my wife says this to me "I Love your Vette but the gas smell in the garage is killing me- I'll park outside because the smell gets in my car and the kids are complaining."
My first thought was GREAT but she does have a point. The car has no leaks or anything like that; the garage just smells like gas now. Any thoughts???
Today my wife says this to me "I Love your Vette but the gas smell in the garage is killing me- I'll park outside because the smell gets in my car and the kids are complaining."
My first thought was GREAT but she does have a point. The car has no leaks or anything like that; the garage just smells like gas now. Any thoughts???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 1
From: OKC Oklahoma
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
Maybe you are running rich or your kids are in the garage behind the wheel acting like they are driving it and pumpin the gas.... :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
I'm not sure whenthey started using charcoal canister... Ithink it was 70 or 71. maybe later... but if you have one, they can get pretty smelly if they haven't been replaced. Also check the fuel tank vent hose and cap.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61,415
Likes: 478
From: Here to make friends
St. Jude Donor '11, '16-'17
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
There's a good chance that the rubber fuel lines coming off of the tank have just begun to leak and the leak is small enough that it evaporates before dripping to the floor. Since you need to drop the tank to get to these lines, they tend to be neglected. You could try sniffing around the car to see if you can localize where the smell is coming from.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: The great state of Massholia
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
Judging by the size of that garage you've got there :eek: :eek: :lol: :lol:
Check the return/overflow line for cracks or rot- it can saturate over time
[Modified by WS6TA01, 6:36 PM 5/19/2003]
Check the return/overflow line for cracks or rot- it can saturate over time
[Modified by WS6TA01, 6:36 PM 5/19/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
Definatly double and tripple check for any possible leaks as others have already mentioned. Even if you find none its likely there would still be gas smell. With a carburator(old school) the gas is always sitting in the bowl. The bowl is vented and the gas evapoates into fumes that get trapped in the enclosed garage. Its just a fact with older carburated cars.. These days everything newer is fuel injected which eliminates this evapoation problem. it might help if you park outside untill the car cools completely down, then pull it in. Pulling in a carburated car with a hot engine and closing it in the garage will make it stink more since the hot engine causes the evaporation to happen quicker.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
Are the emissions in place? If they have been removed, that could be part of the problem. Also cars from that era and earlier have a gas odor, was common back then, we just did not know better. It is controled on modern cars so when we get on old one in a confined space we really notice the gas.
I would check it for leaks to be on the safe side. Then if the 71 came with the evaporator canister I would overhaul that system.
Good luck
tom...
I would check it for leaks to be on the safe side. Then if the 71 came with the evaporator canister I would overhaul that system.
Good luck
tom...
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 252
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From: wellington N Zealand
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
I found my 77 has a leak where it entered the carb. Due to manifold heat it evaporated but discoloured the manifold black where it leaked.
Hope this helps.
:cool: :cool: :cool:
Hope this helps.
:cool: :cool: :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
That smell is pure heaven. :yesnod: Teach her.
By the way, love the car. Great color.
By the way, love the car. Great color.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
wow...you were actually at a point where your garage didn't smell like gas? what was that like...??? my garage is always smelling like fuel :banghead:
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
Definately check the lines on top of the gas tank...mine smelt like gas too, and I finally noticed it spilling out from the cracked rubber lines on to my muffler, which couldnt have been good. Easy fix.
-J
-J
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,185
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From: New Wilmington PA
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (AZ76)
Part of the reason I dumped the ENTIRE fuel system. Old tank taken out, sump welded on and lined inside and out. Old rubber and steel lines? Gone. Carb? Gone. When I got the car it didn't have a charcoal canister. Those lines were intact so I'm putting one back in.
Good luck hunting down the source. It will always have a little gassy smell but it shouldn't be stinking up the place.
Good luck hunting down the source. It will always have a little gassy smell but it shouldn't be stinking up the place.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
Your wife said she would park outside? DAYUM!!!! Most wives would've said to get that stinkin thing outta her garage!!
I had the same gasoline smell in the garage when I brought mine home. I checked all the lines from tank to carb. They were ok. I got a rubber gasket for the gas cap (the old one was gone). That helped some. I took the air cleaner off one day right after I parked it from a nice ride and, viola!, there was my problem. The carb had 4 leaks!! I tried fixin them but since it was just a little Holley 650 dp, I decided not to put any money into a rebuild and got a new Holley 850 dp. Now when I go out into the garage, there is no gasoline smell, at any time, period.
Brett :thumbs:
I had the same gasoline smell in the garage when I brought mine home. I checked all the lines from tank to carb. They were ok. I got a rubber gasket for the gas cap (the old one was gone). That helped some. I took the air cleaner off one day right after I parked it from a nice ride and, viola!, there was my problem. The carb had 4 leaks!! I tried fixin them but since it was just a little Holley 650 dp, I decided not to put any money into a rebuild and got a new Holley 850 dp. Now when I go out into the garage, there is no gasoline smell, at any time, period.
Brett :thumbs:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 2
From: Haysville Ks
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (mike24)
My garage had that "gas smell" when I got my Vette. Couldnt find any leaks until I pulled the gas tank. Found the leak where the gas tank straps run alonge the tank. Not a big enough leak to leave a spot on the floor but just enough to soak up the padding around the straps. Replace the tank, and no more smell.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Probably the dumbest question ever asked (Tom73)
First I like your choice in year and color. ;) You should not fill the garage up with a gas smell. The 71 does have an evaporator canister. It's located in the driver's side fender well. You can get to it by removing the side grill. As everyone has said check all your lines and putting it up on a lift might be the best idea....you don't want to play around with gas. Some cars have a problem with overfilling the gas tank and gas backing up to the evap canister. As a rule I don't overfill the tank. On my car the source of a gas smell was the evap line off the front of the carb was not secure.
Bottom line is find the source of the smell and get it fixed because sparks and gas fumes are not a good thing.
Good luck with your new ride. :cheers:
Bottom line is find the source of the smell and get it fixed because sparks and gas fumes are not a good thing.
Good luck with your new ride. :cheers:
