Gas smell

Yes. Mine does for a time after running. It goes away after a day or two.

 

When Gas is leaking Yes.

This is a very serious issue.

Find the leak before your car catches on Fire and endangers your house and Loved Ones.

 

A car than runs a touch rich while running can smell and sometimes winter gas smells funky upon start up, but you should make very sure that, that's what's up. Fuel lines, fittings, carbs, tanks, pumps, gas cap gaskets can all leak fumes or fluid with disastrous results.

Exposure to gas fumes isn't a good thing either.

We have a lot of vintage cars sitting in our garage that come in and out all the time.

We have good ventilation and every time we've smelt gas we've found something leaking.

If it's fluid pig mat under the car will let you know the general area to start looking.

If it's fumes start with the gas cap gasket.

 

I had a gas smell that plagued me for years. It was not until I undertook a restoration that I discovered the leak. There is a 8 mm line that runs across the engine bay along the trunk-engine firewall. It is tucked immediately above a chassis member. It connects the fuel evaporation cannister (Item 12 Tav 108 - U.S. model) to item 8 (I believe a one way valve to relieve fuel tank pressure). The tube is item 10.

The tube is steel, and had many pits that penetrated the tube, compromising integrity and allowing fumes to escape.

I was lucky. When all else checks out okay, pay particular attention to the tube.

Jim S.

 

I also had the smelly garage syndrome,it was around the fuel filter had to clamp the fuel line and replaced all the fiberous washers,good idea to change the fuel filter at the same time.

 

Would you not get a slight whiff constantly due to the fact that the tanks are continually vented to atmosphere via the cavis hose which comes off the filler neck pipe and goes across the back of the firewall and down the side of the opposite tank to air?
I say this bcause i get a faint smell constantly and as everything is new and tight i cannot see anywhere else it can come from!
G P

 

These leaks can be very hard to find and can be hidden. "Slight"? Hard to say, but generally if you smell gas you should check very carefully.

 

My car always smells gassy after I drive it. I figured it was the gas in the carbs evaporation. Gone in the morning.

 

Mine did the same thing for years. I tried to isolate it but I never found a direct source. I checked every possible tube and gasket but could not find anything wrong. My suspicion was also some evaporation from the carbs after running.

I removed the black metal plates under the vents on the deck to help get more airflow out of the engine. I never had a fire.

However, I would suggest that any potential gas leak be treated seriously. I would have it checked out in detail.

 

A reminder to check the two fuel hoses that attaches to the cross-tank tubes as well as the hose that spans the tank to filler pipe.

Our local club tech expert/Ferrari restorer/ex-F1 wrench, Sig. Carlo Durante, has cautioned me before on these as high wear items that develop micro cracks.

 

That hose should be attached to something.
Fuel systems have a one-way valve to let air IN as fuel is used, but they should not be vented to atmosphere.

 

Item No14 vents directly to atmosphere?
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"hint" of gas - no problem. It's the scent all petrolheads love.

"smell" of gas - problem. Make 100% sure there is no leak.

I got used to the "smell" of gas on my dino, checked several times, but never found or felt any leak or even saw a spot of petrol on the garage floor. One day I walked into the garage and, in the dark I couldn't figure out why my shoes were sticking to the floor. Fortunately my nose told me there was a big problem. I backed out carefullly avoiding the temptation to touch anything electrical.

About a gallon of petrol had seeped out in what can have been no more than 48 hours, and melted the garage floor paint. Bottom of one fuel tank had corroded. Car otherwise in perfect condition.

Better safe than sorry when it comes to fuel leaks.

 

You're right-- it does.
My guess is that the US-spec cars would have that going to a charcoal canister or something, but I could be wrong.

 

This is my wife's biggest gripe when I come home. I have to leave the garage open for about 30min. to let the gas fumes vent. After that, it's all fine. I've always thought it was just the fuel in the carbs evaporating. Never found any leaks or fluids under the car.

There've been times when my wife complained so much that I've thought of fuel injection as a means of peace at home.

 

The only time I ever smell gas is if I fill the car and drive straight home from the gas station (about 1.5 miles). I always fill the tanks until I can see fuel in the filler tube. For this reason, I make a point of driving around a bit before I bring the Dinos back after a gasoline fill. It always does the trick for me. Fred

 

Yes, I get the most complaints from my wife when I've just filled up the tanks.

 

You have a gas leak somewhere. My car's carbs vent straight thru a simple paper filter element and I don't have a gas smell after driving

Once I had a crack in the large diameter hose that goes between the filler neck and gas tank and would smell gas after a long, hard right turn.

You really need to look around. Maybe put the car up on ramps while the smell is still there and look at all the fittings in the fuel filter and pump pathway.
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I'll check it out when I get some time.

Thanks for the info.

 

It occurred to me that you could probably put the car on ramps / stands and just turn on the electric fuel pump for a while. It would pressurize the system and you might find the leak.
But probably don't crawl underneath when the pump is running-- don't want to take a chance of a fire when you are under there.

 

I was home for a week to take care of some personal stuff. I went to start my car and as I opened the door to the garage, the air had a strange smell. Not exactly gas, but definitely automotive. As I went to the driver door, I noticed a faint odor of gas. I think Napolis might be onto something about the gas cap gasket. I checked under the car and there was no stains.

When I'm finally at home, I definitely have to go through my fuel system and see where the issue is. If I do have to replace things like the gas cap gasket, where do I find these items?

Thanks

 

I had this and i put it down to "Old car syndrome" But i did have a good hunt around and actually found that there was a small weep (and thats all you need!) around the return pipe from the carbs back to the tank. The braided rubber hose was not "nipped" up tightly enough on the tube of the tank due to me using the OEM type hose clips (forget the make) which just didnt cut the mustard. anyhow i put a small jubilee clip on and smell gone!
Mind you theres lots of other joints to check on these systems.
So do persist.
G P