Gas Smell Help

[likenu2]

I have a constant odor of gas in my garage, almost like there is a 5 gallon pail of gas open. The Cobra has no leaks, there is nothing on the ground or around the intake manifold. This really started after Bob Reem took the EFI out and replaced it with my carburetor. He did leave a return line to the gas tank, should that be removed. It is reeally getting bad in there. Any ideas would be helpful.
Joe B

[DWRAT]

Hey Joe,
Is your tank full? If so lots of people say don't fill up and then drive straight home to park it.
I personally had a fuel smell and it ended up being the fuel sensor gasket on top of the fuel tank. It never leaked on the ground, just pooled on top of the tank.

[moore_rb]

Hi Joe-

If the fuel injection return line was capped off correctly, then it should be ok to leave it. however, if he disconnected it at both ends and left the line open, then that could definitely be the source of the odor.

Another thing to check is your gas cap- make sure the rubber is good, and that it is sealing tightly. If you have a screw-in style vented cap, then make sure the spring isn't stuck open.

Dan's idea about checking the top of the tank is a good one - the filler neck, the gauge sender, and a small pressure vent are all located up there - any one of them could be weeping a small amount from the gasket, and it only takes about 1/2 teaspoon of gasoline to stink up the whole garage...

[vettestr]

How fast you guys forget about the years you spent around cars with carb's. Remember the black strip on the roads especially on the lane going up a grade. This was from the crankcase puke tube that were later replaced with PCV (positive crankcase vents) routed back into the carb. Then big bulky closed air cleaners with all those vacuum hoses to a charcoal canister. Gas tanks with non vented caps and so on.

Our Hot Rods have open element air filters sitting on top of the carb with fuel vapors venting into that open filter. The carb is sitting on an aluminum manifold heating the fuel making more vaporization when parked. You can run hoses to each bowl vent and hose from the fuel tank all routed to a charcoal emissions canister. Then a hose back into the engine intake for vac. source but would still have some vapors if engine was not running or providing vacuum. You worked so hard to create a mean, nasty, smelly hot rod. Congrats you have succeeded !!!

[likenu2]

Think that I found the leak. Looks like it may be the fuel cell. I have not been able to check out Dan's idea, but there is a slight leak on the drivers side of the tank. The cell has a bladder but it could be coming from the top and working its way down. Thank for the help. I so hope that it is not the bladder.
Joe B

[DWRAT]

Joe, your car may have a access panel in the trunk under the carpet that allows you to easily access the top of your tank, I know mine does.
BTW, I think Jeff is pulling your chain because my old school carb motor does not put off a gas smell at all.

[dcdoug]

What vettestr said. You've got an old school carbureted muscle car and it makes it's presence known. Embrace it and be thankful it's not a Prius. The smell will dissipate quite a bit after the first day or so of it being in the garage.

[Phx Mike]

It doesn't take much to smell things up. I had a '66 Galaxie and it had a carb fuel line fitting that would work its way just ever so slightly loose every so often (steel fuel line had a little torsion that I later corrected). It would loosen just enough that I could get some dampness on a paper towel if I wiped the fitting but non enough to actually drip, but I could always tell when it was loose by the smell. I could even smell it in the car.

[likenu2]

I crawled under the car yesterday and was able to see a puddle of gas that I was not able to see before. I called Fuel Safe Systems, the maker of the fuel cell, and gave them the part number of the tank. WOW, replacement cell, $3100, replacement bladder, $2100 and you have to send the tank to Fuel Safe to install it. I think that I am going to just have an alluminum tank installed. Called Hot Rods By Dean yesterday to see if they can do it for me so I can go to Good Guys. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Joe B

[Danr55]

Joe i have the 16 gallon tank i just replaced in my car if you need a temporary

[Karl Bebout]

Hey Joe, I had Dave's Gas tanks, on S. 32nd St. build a tank for my other car. They did an excellent job, exactly to my specs. They only do steel, but where better cold you add a few pounds to your car? An aluminum tank will surely be well north of $1K, and why do you think you need aluminum?

[likenu2]

Thanks for the offer Dan, but I only want them to do the swap once. Karl, I didnt know that anyone made them out of steel, I always thought that the custom tank were aluminum. I will look into that.
JoeB

[Dwight]

I bought a sheet of 14 ga steel this week of a hot rod project. I don't know what ga they use to make gas tank but this can be used as a comparison

14 ga steel 3.125 lbs per sq foot a 4' x 8' sheet $73.20
14 ga aluminum .095 lbs per sq ft a 4' x 8' sheet $240


Dwight

[Car Nut]

Originally Posted by likenu2

Thanks for the offer Dan, but I only want them to do the swap once. Karl, I didnt know that anyone made them out of steel, I always thought that the custom tank were aluminum. I will look into that.
JoeB

They also make them out of stainless steel. Even better.

[Danr55]

Check out Nick Acton. He made the tank for.my car.. Actoncustom.com

[mikiec]

Nick is just up the road from me. His shop is very well equipped. His work is outstanding.

Mikiec

[ACHiPo]

Another vote for Nick! I'm just getting into this, but so far all my interactions with him have been first rate.

[DaleG]

Is your hot water heater also in the garage?

[dcdoug]

Nick made my tank also. Nice piece.

[likenu2]

Originally Posted by DaleG

Is your hot water heater also in the garage?

Yes Dale it is. That is why it was necessary to get the car out and the tank replaced. Dean's shop is fabricating a stainless steel tank using my old fuel cell as a templet. They tell me that it will be done for good guys next weekend.\
Joe B