Why do I smell gas?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
Why do I smell gas?
I changed the injectors, the fuel filter, the regulator, the fuel pump and the smell is not comming from under the hood. I have no liquid leaks that I can see so I'm thinking it's vapor, but from where?
When I changed the pump, I reused the original gasget (it seemed fine) and I never had this odor before. I don't smell anything at the gas door, it's like it's comming from under the car, I smell it when I open my door. This smell is making me a little uneasy and I know it's from something I did because I never had it before.
When I changed the pump, I reused the original gasget (it seemed fine) and I never had this odor before. I don't smell anything at the gas door, it's like it's comming from under the car, I smell it when I open my door. This smell is making me a little uneasy and I know it's from something I did because I never had it before.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
I would inspect the lines to the charcoal canister, a loose or broken one will cause what you describe. Strangely it seems those vapors cause more odor than liquid fuel in my experience.
Not sure where it is located on your 88, it is buried up under the right quarter panel on my 93, hope that helps.
Not sure where it is located on your 88, it is buried up under the right quarter panel on my 93, hope that helps.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
I would inspect the lines to the charcoal canister, a loose or broken one will cause what you describe. Strangely it seems those vapors cause more odor than liquid fuel in my experience.
Not sure where it is located on your 88, it is buried up under the right quarter panel on my 93, hope that helps.
Not sure where it is located on your 88, it is buried up under the right quarter panel on my 93, hope that helps.
after all this work, I"D BE PISSED!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Even if your canister is in the front there has to be a line going to the fuel tank, that is where it collects the fuel vapor to be burned. If that line pulled apart or broke when you were doing the fuel filter or the pump, it could be the cause.
Last edited by toptechx6; Apr 5, 2012 at 08:38 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: FL
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Remove the line that goes from your fuel tank to the cannister and plug it at the tank. Let it air out for a day and then go back to see if you can still detect an odor.
I had a small leak when I replaced injectors too. I found that I had nicked up one of the injector O rings when I put it back together. Pain in the arze to replace it but I too did not want a fire to ruin my day/month/year/life.
I had a small leak when I replaced injectors too. I found that I had nicked up one of the injector O rings when I put it back together. Pain in the arze to replace it but I too did not want a fire to ruin my day/month/year/life.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Delta B.C. Canada
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Just to state the obvious, don't keep the car in an enclosed area until you've got this figured out. It just takes a spark......
Good luck, and let us know the outcome.
Good luck, and let us know the outcome.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
I'm actually gonna have to follow my nose on this one. I am gonna check that filter again, I hope it isn't that, because on a Vert it's a bitch. It took me 2 hours to change that filter on the floor. The dreaded X brace
, "nuff said".
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
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From: Anaheim CA
Your problem might be on the other side of the car from the fuel filter. Just in front of the rear tire on the driver's side is a rubber hose that couples the front and rear steel lines for the vapor cannister. Check that guy out. Here's a pic of my '86 (yours might be different):
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
Your problem might be on the other side of the car from the fuel filter. Just in front of the rear tire on the driver's side is a rubber hose that couples the front and rear steel lines for the vapor cannister. Check that guy out. Here's a pic of my '86 (yours might be different):
I'm gonna check that out, I see that little hose there. It might be dry rotted, everything else plastic and rubber is brittle on this car, why not that. I know I did all my work correctly and didn't break anything but whenever I fix or up-grade anything something else happens. It's just the Big Man "getting my nose".
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 30
From: Los Angeles CA
if when you remove your gas cap and it is pressurized and hiss out fumes ( which you might be smelling), your canister valve may be bad, you can plug the vacumm source to it and bypass it temporarily.
Last edited by slickfx3; Apr 6, 2012 at 02:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
Your talking about the charcoal canister at the front drivers side, correct?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 841
Likes: 1
Your problem might be on the other side of the car from the fuel filter. Just in front of the rear tire on the driver's side is a rubber hose that couples the front and rear steel lines for the vapor cannister. Check that guy out. Here's a pic of my '86 (yours might be different):
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 30
From: Los Angeles CA
but you have took out the initial potential blockage as a start to diagnose.
should not have any problem driving like that, do this only if you are having high pressure in the gas tank evidenced by fume rushing out of the tank when you go to fill with gas, if not your valve should not be the culprit
Last edited by slickfx3; Apr 6, 2012 at 06:03 PM.