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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Varnish smell coming from 5.0

  • Thread starter Thread starter Calypso5oh
  • Start date Start date Aug 22, 2011

Calypso5oh

New Member
May 30, 2011
9
0
1
Santa Clarita Ca.
Aug 22, 2011
#1
  • Aug 22, 2011
  • #1
Okay. I picked this 93 5.0 off an old lady with 151,000 (mild) miles. I have changed plugs, wires, coil, fuel and air filters and pcv valve. I have ran about 8 tanks of fresh 91 octane fuel through it. Question is this: I seem to get this smell of varnish (or the smell of bad gas burning) when I am idling. It's got fresh fuel for about 2,500 miles now. Friend of mine thinks it could be bad cats but it passed smog flawlessly and is not down on power. Doesn't burn or drip any fluids and I made sure nothing was burning on the exhaust. I am at a loss here guys
 

JungleJoe

I was like well chit..Im missing something
Jul 25, 2011
184
7
18
Mo.
Aug 23, 2011
#2
  • Aug 23, 2011
  • #2
If it passed smog, it aint the cats! LOl probably just the smell of old gas still in the tank, thats where my money is....take a wiff of the fuel filler tube and see for yourself. . .
 

Bryan83taco

Active Member
Feb 4, 2003
554
40
39
SF Bay
Aug 23, 2011
#3
  • Aug 23, 2011
  • #3
shot in the dark but see if your fuel tank vent charcoal filter system is hooked up. Its a little box looking thing on the lower front passenger side of the engine bay. It should hook up to a port on the front of the upper intake.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Aug 23, 2011
#4
  • Aug 23, 2011
  • #4
Agreed with Bryan. The lines rot (esp the discharge line as it goes under the plenum).
 

ID89GT

10 Year Member
May 26, 2008
1,659
18
49
Spokane Valley, WA
Aug 23, 2011
#5
  • Aug 23, 2011
  • #5
The charcoal line, and I would also see if your seals on the gas tank themselves are leaking. The filler neck seal is kinda common
 

Mustang Yawie

Founding Member
Jul 21, 2002
281
14
28
Rialto CA
Aug 25, 2011
#6
  • Aug 25, 2011
  • #6
Check the actual canister, I recently replaced mine. After driving my car especially during hot weather I kept getting a weird fuel smell from the engine compartment. Turns out the canister is just to saturated with the fuel vapors. Replaced it and no more smell
 

Calypso5oh

New Member
May 30, 2011
9
0
1
Santa Clarita Ca.
Aug 30, 2011
#7
  • Aug 30, 2011
  • #7
Now that I have some free time I am going to check out the lines, gas neck area and charcoal canister. Thanks!
 
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