That's that good 'ol old car smell....
That Smell
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Germantown TN
That Smell
My wife has twisted my arm...so here goes. Both of us notice a distinct smell of gasoline when we go into the garage after it has been closed up overnight or all day without opening the doors. I told her that it was normal and it has just been so long since we have had a car with a carburetor, we forget how the smell of fuel is more present in those older vehicles. However, she says it is too strong. The worry has set in and she wants the '76er out of the garage. I never thought much about it until last night & this morning - but it is pretty noticeable. I have checked on top & bottom for fuel leaks but can find no wet areas or stains - I have a piece of carpet under the car to catch the ever-present rear main slow oil drip. The odor seems strongest by far on top and around the carb. Is this normal as I originally thought or do we have a problem? When I was still green, I tried to change the fuel filter and twisted the line a bit and it dripped. I gave up on that stupid trick real quick and tightened it back up snug & no further leaking. I check it about twice a week to make sure. The line does not look twisted near the end at the nut...instead it is further back in the bend as it runs away from the carb. Any ideas or should I just replace that line for good measure? THANX! 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 1
From: Kerrville Texas
If it isn't leaking and hasn't been compromised you can probably leave it as is. But if leaving it alone means the car has to park outside than you better get busy and make the wife happy.
Kona
Kona
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
There are several lines that run down to the charcoal canister check down near the frame. There is a vent line that runs between it and the tank, ours was brittle and had cracked. On a trip to Vettes on the Rockies the change in altitude cause fuel to be pushed out of cracked line where it ran out on to the ground thank God we didn't have side pipes we could have had a real mess on our hands. If you haven't changed these lines I'd check them first. You have to pull the the splash pan on the drivers side to get a good view of the canister from the bottom. Is your car 100% stock? There is also a vent line running from the Q-jet fuel bowl down to that canister. If the car has any mods made to it I'd find a good carb guy to check it for an open line some where. Since I quit smoking I have an extremely good sense of smell and I don't smell any vapors from the wifes 79 in our enclosed and heated garage. I believe that your 76 shouldn't give off any gas fumes either.
Last edited by 87bob; Oct 27, 2004 at 12:40 PM. Reason: additional information
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
I have the same problem buddy!!! My wife says the car smells of fuel.
Then I noticed if I leave the garage open for a good half hour and let it air out before I close it the smell is gone!!!
Try keeping the garage open for a bit to air it out. It helps alot. If you have no leaks or anything of fuel you shouldn't have that strong odor anymore.
Give it a try..It was a simple tecnique that worked for me...
Then I noticed if I leave the garage open for a good half hour and let it air out before I close it the smell is gone!!!
Try keeping the garage open for a bit to air it out. It helps alot. If you have no leaks or anything of fuel you shouldn't have that strong odor anymore.
Give it a try..It was a simple tecnique that worked for me...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 881
Likes: 1
From: Hernando MS
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
My `74 had the same problem as you`re describing...Strong Gas odor and No puddle anywhere... It turned out to be the fuel tank!
The tank is held in by a crossmember and two straps with anti chafe material. One of the straps had worn a small hole in the bottom front corner of the tank and the Anti Chafe material was absorbing it, allowing it to evaporate before it actually dripped on the ground.
Unfortunatly there was no fix other than replace the tank.
Look with a strong flashlight at the foward part of the tank and look for any staining...it also might actually drip on the top of the mufflers if it goes long enough!!
Hope this helps!
The tank is held in by a crossmember and two straps with anti chafe material. One of the straps had worn a small hole in the bottom front corner of the tank and the Anti Chafe material was absorbing it, allowing it to evaporate before it actually dripped on the ground.
Unfortunatly there was no fix other than replace the tank.
Look with a strong flashlight at the foward part of the tank and look for any staining...it also might actually drip on the top of the mufflers if it goes long enough!!
Hope this helps!
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
From: Milwaukie OR
Hey Dubya,
Here is a place (in your car) to look.
I have a 1970 International, and for a long time, I could not find where the gas smell was coming from and I was just about to remove the gas tank. I see that you have a in-line fuel filter.
If it is like mine, it is metal and was constructed with a crimped seam around the outside of the filter body. Mine had a slow leak from this seam that was very hard to find untill it got big enought to see. You should replace the filter and make sure you put pipe tape on all the threads when you put it back together.
Also one more important thing in case you don't know this.
Always use flare nut wrenches (same as line wrenches) when working on your fuel and brake lines.
Here is a link:
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/t...15/index2.html
Tell your wife you want a set for christmas if you don't have any!
Here is a place (in your car) to look.
I have a 1970 International, and for a long time, I could not find where the gas smell was coming from and I was just about to remove the gas tank. I see that you have a in-line fuel filter.
If it is like mine, it is metal and was constructed with a crimped seam around the outside of the filter body. Mine had a slow leak from this seam that was very hard to find untill it got big enought to see. You should replace the filter and make sure you put pipe tape on all the threads when you put it back together.
Also one more important thing in case you don't know this.
Always use flare nut wrenches (same as line wrenches) when working on your fuel and brake lines.
Here is a link:
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/t...15/index2.html
Tell your wife you want a set for christmas if you don't have any!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
My 79 lives outside for now. I have the same problem. The whole house ends up stinking from it since our air handler is in the garage. I don't see any leaks either, but I suspect the charcoal canister or lines running to it. I'll check it out one of these days.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Germantown TN
Originally Posted by 87bob
There are several lines that run down to the charcoal canister check down near the frame. There is a vent line that runs between it and the tank, ours was brittle and had cracked. On a trip to Vettes on the Rockies the change in altitude cause fuel to be pushed out of cracked line where it ran out on to the ground thank God we didn't have side pipes we could have had a real mess on our hands. If you haven't changed these lines I'd check them first. You have to pull the the splash pan on the drivers side to get a good view of the canister from the bottom. Is your car 100% stock? There is also a vent line running from the Q-jet fuel bowl down to that canister. If the car has any mods made to it I'd find a good carb guy to check it for an open line some where. Since I quit smoking I have an extremely good sense of smell and I don't smell any vapors from the wifes 79 in our enclosed and heated garage. I believe that your 76 shouldn't give off any gas fumes either.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Me Too!
Thanks for starting this thread and question.
I am restoring a 1973 454. I noticed that after I park it in the garage I have a VERY strong gas odor. I thought that it was due to the BB sucking up so much gas it was just part of the process.
Now I know to look for a charcoal cannister somewhere in the engine compartment, check my fuel line filter, always use FLARE wrenches, or at least ask for a set for Christmas, and inspect my gas tank.
Thanks for all the tips also.
kdf 1973 454
kdf 1986 L98
I am restoring a 1973 454. I noticed that after I park it in the garage I have a VERY strong gas odor. I thought that it was due to the BB sucking up so much gas it was just part of the process.
Now I know to look for a charcoal cannister somewhere in the engine compartment, check my fuel line filter, always use FLARE wrenches, or at least ask for a set for Christmas, and inspect my gas tank.
Thanks for all the tips also.
kdf 1973 454
kdf 1986 L98
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Levittown Pa
I agree with statements above that the tank area is probly the problem.
Check tank for very small pin holes.
Check all lines at the tank
Check this out
Mine was at the gasket were the filler mates to the tank.
The gasket between the fill and tank were it bolts together was disengrated. after I replaced it that solved the problem.
Check tank for very small pin holes.
Check all lines at the tank
Check this out
Mine was at the gasket were the filler mates to the tank.
The gasket between the fill and tank were it bolts together was disengrated. after I replaced it that solved the problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
I have found that if you over fill the tank the gas can flow into the carbon can and then it takes a long time for the smell to go away. Now I am careful not to top the tank off. At one point I was traveling so I topped the tank off and the car started running real bad, then gas came pouring out the carbon can. Not a good thing. After running down the X-way the problem went away.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
If you smell gas in your garage then you have a leak somewhere. I have a small garage and a 1976 Corvette, there is no odor at all in my garage. In fact the greatest ordor in my garage is me.
Hope there isn't a water heater or clothes dryer in your garage.
Would the next poster please spell oder or odor properly for me?
good luck
Hope there isn't a water heater or clothes dryer in your garage.
Would the next poster please spell oder or odor properly for me?
good luck
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Mine had a strong gas smell also. I found that the rub strips were not installed on my tank and the tank had worn through at one point and gas was leaking down. I noticed a small place where it looked like gas so I wiped it off with a rag. The hole immediately got bigger. New tank for me has corrected the gas smell in my garage. Also, while you are at it, go ahead and replace the rubber gas lines that are at the tank and at the fuel pump.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
gas is extemely volatile. That means the smell could be caused by a very small leak. It also means that the gas from a tiny leak can evaporate almost immediately, leaving no visible stain. So it may not be dangerous, but it is annoying and unnecessary. The tiny leak (as you can tell from the variety of replies) can be almost anywhere from the gas tank to the the carb. In my case it was back at the gas tank from a rotted and unused fuel return line.