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Gas smell

  • Thread starter Thread starter cardudeusa
  • Start date Start date May 3, 2004

cardudeusa

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
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Home of the Florida Gators!
May 3, 2004
#1
  • May 3, 2004
  • #1
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

New Member
Mar 3, 2004
12
0
0
The graveyard of tomorrow
May 3, 2004
#2
  • May 3, 2004
  • #2
Take your car in NOW
 

cardudeusa

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
1,744
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48
Home of the Florida Gators!
May 3, 2004
#3
  • May 3, 2004
  • #3
Take it in where? I do all the work on it, so if theres a problem I'm going to fix it.
 
I

iwashmycar

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 7, 2004
1,236
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39
Columbus, Ohio
May 3, 2004
#4
  • May 3, 2004
  • #4
Doesn't sound good. It could be a leak which is NOT good at all.
 

cardudeusa

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
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Home of the Florida Gators!
May 3, 2004
#5
  • May 3, 2004
  • #5
I never see gas dripping or residue on anything though. Where would it be leaking from?
 
I

iwashmycar

20+ Year Stangneter
Apr 7, 2004
1,236
1
39
Columbus, Ohio
May 3, 2004
#6
  • May 3, 2004
  • #6
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

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
1,744
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48
Home of the Florida Gators!
May 3, 2004
#7
  • May 3, 2004
  • #7
Yeah, guess its time to pull the tank. I was hoping it was something like the hach weather stripping just letting fumes in.
 
S

shorty1993

New Member
Apr 16, 2004
212
1
0
Gadsden, AL
May 3, 2004
#8
  • May 3, 2004
  • #8
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

Active Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,332
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48
Stafford,VA
May 3, 2004
#9
  • May 3, 2004
  • #9
sound like a personal problem.
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
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May 3, 2004
#10
  • May 3, 2004
  • #10
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.
 
B

bud168

Founding Member
Aug 8, 2001
160
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Oxford, PA
May 3, 2004
#11
  • May 3, 2004
  • #11
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

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
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Home of the Florida Gators!
May 3, 2004
#12
  • May 3, 2004
  • #12
v8only said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
248
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16
Boston, MA
May 3, 2004
#13
  • May 3, 2004
  • #13
same thing happens to me, strong gas smell after filling up. good thing I'm changing the fuel pump in a few weeks.
 
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