Can't drive car without smelling like gas

[streetstang67]

This is getting really old. I have a cool classic '67 mustang, but I can't drive it to any nice occassions because I'll come out smelling like gas. There are no major holes in the firewall. I talked to a mechanic about it and he said that holley's stink no matter what. I find that hard to believe because I've ridden in p.o.s. cars with a holley that dont stink like mine. Any suggestions? I've replaced the collector gaskets (eventhough the new ones leak a little). What can I do to keep from reeking of gas everytime I drive this?

 

[Ozsum67]

First, find a new mechanic. The one giving you advise sucks. Next, find the fuel leak. It is a fire hazard. Don't forget to check the trunk. There could be a leak on top of the tank, and the fumes coming through the back seat.

 

[GaPonyFarm]

Does it smell like gasoline or more like rich running exhaust?

 

[69restomod]

I am assuming you mean that you have a fuel leak.
Get underneath you car and follow the fuel line from the tank to the carb. it is over 35 years old so if you think about it it's just a piece of metal tubing and does corrode. also check your fuel pump maybe when the carb was changed the gas lines were disconnected and not connected back properly.

As oszum67 said the fuel tank could be your problem on my 69 coupe the filler neck connects to the tank by a rubber/canvas piece. On a 67 not too sure if it's the same but check for this anyways perhaps if you do have this piece it's either frayed or just cracked and letting gas fumes into the cabin.

 

[streetstang67]

I'm not sure how to explain if it smells more like gas or running rich, I guess its more like I wash my clothes inside a garage full of rich-running cars and their exhuast. No major exhuast leaks and no major fuel leaks (at least nothing that drips b/c I would see it on the floor). And the filler neck and trunk area is all good.

 

[RGS0907]

I'm not sure how to explain if it smells more like gas or running rich, I guess its more like I wash my clothes inside a garage full of rich-running cars and their exhuast. No major exhuast leaks and no major fuel leaks (at least nothing that drips b/c I would see it on the floor). And the filler neck and trunk area is all good.

Here's what I would do:
- change the rubber gas lines
- check all connections from the fuel pump through the fuel filter to the carb.
- tighten all of the screws on the Holley, expecially the fuel bowls
- replace the gasket under the carb. & tighten the nuts holding it onto the manifold studs.
- make sure the choke is working properly
- check/replace the rubber hose between the gas tank and filler neck.

The following means that you need to adjust the carb.
- check your air cleaner & replace, especially if it looks dirty or smells strongly like gas.
- read your plugs to see if they are wet from extra gas.
- look down the carb throat to see if there is raw gas in there
- if you have them, check your sight plugs on the Holley, I always like to adjust it down to about 1/4 " below the sight hole even though the spec says to be even with the bottom of the sight hole.

Good Luck.

 

[dodgestang]

If you have confirmed you have no exhaust leaks...which is without a doubt the number 1 reason why people pick up 'car' odor from their old mustang.

1. Pull back the carpet and sound deadener and make sure you have a plug in every hole in the firewall.

2. Tighten the seals on the gas tank fill tube in the trunk

3. replace the rear trunk seal

4. Add an additional barrier between the trunk and the cabin

5. Pull out the old carpet, sound deander, othe rinsulation, headliner, and upolstry and replace.

If you car doesn't have an exhaust, isnt' leaking gas, and the firewall is plugged....then the only thing left is that you are simply sucking in fumes through the trunk and/or the car had a major leak at some point and it just kinda 'clung' to everything in the car and its needs to removed......kinda like a smokers stentch that lives in a house for a hew years and smoked 2 packs a day.

 

[GaPonyFarm]

After driving the car, roll down the windows, wait about 15 minutes and open the trunk to see if you can smell gas. Then check the carb to see if you can smell fresh gas. If all checks out...no smell. Use a compressor to pressurize the fuel tank (just wrap a rag around a air nozzle) a little. Check the fuel lines, especially the rubber hoses, for any signs of fuel and recheck the trunk for an odor. You SHOULD find something if there is a leak, otherwise, I'd check the exhaust for leaks, and be sure your tail pipes extend at least a couple of inches beyond the rear valance. You could be sucking up exhaust fumes into your trunk area, especially if the weatherstripping is worn out. A leak at the collectors is not good as it can easily come up through the floor drains.

I hope this helps. Good Luck.

 

[67CoupeDriva]

I had the same smell in my '67 coupe. It was also running rich which did not help, so I fixed that. The Autolite 2100 was also leaking at the accelerator pump...fixed that. Still the gas smell (not rich exhaust).

I finally found a leak in the trunk where the rubber hose from the filler neck to the tank had deteriorated somewhat, and whenever the gas in the tank sloshed backwarks (accelarated, up a hill, or just filled tank) I'd get a little in the trunk. Fixed that and adiosed the smell!!

 

[67GTCOUPE]

I have the exact same problem with my 67!!!!

I am going to replace the filler to tank connector, extend my tailpipes, redo the trunk weatherstrip.

 

[vobraman]

Well, I picked up my car yesterday from the chassis shop. Since it was on the trailer I stopped to put gas in the car. Well when I came out the gas station I had a leak coming from under the tank. I looked under the car and could tell nothing. I have been smelling gas in this car for about a year and could not find it. I checked all places and found nothing. I had never filled the tank to top like I did yesterday. Well, I opened the trunk and there was a small pin hole in the tank with gas spruting up. So, I got the car home and put some gas/oil sealer on it. Just atemp fix til I get a new tank. So all I am saying is that this small hole probably was my problem all along. Check your tank closely. By the way gasoline removes POR 15.

Good luck