Gas smell???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: The Villages FL
Gas smell???
Our 98 coupe has started to give off gas fumes. There is no leakage visible anywhere under the hood....there is no leakage onto the floor...nothing wet anywhere.
It happens after shutting down parked in the garage. The smell is not a truly raw gasoline smell but very definitely gasoline based.
I do not over fill (never have). The service manuals aren't much help as you know they are not diagnostic.
Of course I am hesitant to take it to a garage until such time as I get some idea what it could be to first see if I can take care of it. Second not to have to pay $70/hour while somebody hunts and pecks away looking.
Any recommendations appreciated.
Thanx in advance for responses.
WW
It happens after shutting down parked in the garage. The smell is not a truly raw gasoline smell but very definitely gasoline based.
I do not over fill (never have). The service manuals aren't much help as you know they are not diagnostic.
Of course I am hesitant to take it to a garage until such time as I get some idea what it could be to first see if I can take care of it. Second not to have to pay $70/hour while somebody hunts and pecks away looking.
Any recommendations appreciated.
Thanx in advance for responses.
WW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 860
Likes: 3
One of the more common causes of this is the fuel filter fittings - they get lose over time. The filter is behind the drivers seat, up under the car. The fix is to get your filter replaced, which any decent mechanic can do for you.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Agreed. Check the fuel filter first. NOTE: If you're smelling gas, you've got a leak and seriously, the last place you need gas is on the exhaust pipes. I would strong suggest not driving it till you locate and fix the leak. Another item that causes this is the crossover tube between the tanks which is the fill line. It can collapse and or crack. Good luck getting to it though. Someone in here also mentioned a leak on a line at one of the tanks themselves too... again, not easy to get too but greatly important.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Falls Church VA
I had the same problem... it was the left side gas tank opening, (where the crossover tube comes in) became out of round causing the seals to leak.
Had to replace crossover tube, new lines inside of the tube, and left side gas tank. MAJOR PITA to fix.
So I had Tonys Corvette take care of it, and they did a great job!
Had to replace crossover tube, new lines inside of the tube, and left side gas tank. MAJOR PITA to fix.
So I had Tonys Corvette take care of it, and they did a great job!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Camp Hill PA
There should be an evaporative emissions charcoal canister somehere on the car that can emit gas fumes. It's part of the emisson controls and essentially filters the vapor that bleeds out your fuel tanks into the environment. They do wear out, and when they do, they get stinky! I know that Camaro/Firebirds have them on the drivers rear, up under the inner fender well mounted inside the quarter panel. Don't know where they are on Vettes....yet.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
