Gas smell

[cardudeusa]

I have this problem with my 87 GT, it doesn't happen all the time. Theres this STRONG smell of gas. When youre driving down the road its not too bad, but if I open the trunk its really potent back there. If you leave a gym bag in the trunk for 15 minutes while driving everything in it reeks of gas. I notice it more when I fill the tank, but thats not the only time it smells. It's to random for me to figure out whats causing it, any ideas?

 

[The Communist]

Take your car in NOW

 

[cardudeusa]

Take it in where? I do all the work on it, so if theres a problem I'm going to fix it.

 

[iwashmycar]

Doesn't sound good. It could be a leak which is NOT good at all.

 

[cardudeusa]

I never see gas dripping or residue on anything though. Where would it be leaking from?

 

[iwashmycar]

Hmm...the only thing I can think of might be the filler neck connection. Afterall you mentioned that it smelled after fueling. But if there is smell, then there's gotta be gas....somewhere???

 

[cardudeusa]

Yeah, guess its time to pull the tank. I was hoping it was something like the hach weather stripping just letting fumes in.

 

[shorty1993]

got a thought, there is vent that runs from the tank to the vapor canister under the hood. dont know exactly what type of fitting connects it to the tank, but either that or the hose could be torn. i took my canister out of my car, and you would be surprised how much smell is actually vented. i will deal with it for the sake of not having to look at the canister. mine does vent under the fender so it does not contaminate anything. Good luck

 

[88stangmangt]

sound like a personal problem.

 

[v8only]

One of two suggestions, hopefully one works for you.

1. what you describe, sounds EXACTLY like what mine did, to the tee, and it took years to find because it was too random.

There is a vapor return line that runs the length of the car, pass side if I rember right. Right about where the door meets the quarter panel, or right in frontof the rear wheels under the car, the vapor line has a break. About 2 inches of it are NOT connected for some reason. The vapor line runs from the engine compartment, along the lenth of the car, then stops, then two inches later picks up again and runs back to the tank. These two inches are connected via a rubber hose. You should see it when you crawl under. Your rubber hose may be rotted away, or even missing like mine was. Replace it, problem solved.

2. My bro has a similar problem too, but his filler neck to gas tank grommet is bad, and he dumps and leaks fuel after filling up.

 

[bud168]

There is a hose thats attached to the tank that runs to the vapor canister , I bet that came off in the back.. I had that happen to me one time

 

[cardudeusa]

One of two suggestions, hopefully one works for you.

1. what you describe, sounds EXACTLY like what mine did, to the tee, and it took years to find because it was too random.

There is a vapor return line that runs the length of the car, pass side if I rember right. Right about where the door meets the quarter panel, or right in frontof the rear wheels under the car, the vapor line has a break. About 2 inches of it are NOT connected for some reason. The vapor line runs from the engine compartment, along the lenth of the car, then stops, then two inches later picks up again and runs back to the tank. These two inches are connected via a rubber hose. You should see it when you crawl under. Your rubber hose may be rotted away, or even missing like mine was. Replace it, problem solved.

2. My bro has a similar problem too, but his filler neck to gas tank grommet is bad, and he dumps and leaks fuel after filling up.

I just replaced the line youre talking about, the one that was on it was really dry rotted and hopefully causing the problem. I will know for sure tommorow.

 

[91LX302]

same thing happens to me, strong gas smell after filling up. good thing I'm changing the fuel pump in a few weeks.