but mine is fuel related. when i start driving the car i start smelling fuel like crazy. is this just cause the car is carburated? do the fumes from the carb just come into the car and is this common? i don't have a fuel leak so i know i'm not losing fuel. is this common or is there something i can do to make it disappear?
zack68

Even though these cars a carbed and run vented fueal systems you really shouldn't be getting a strong, raw fuel smell inside the car.

I have an open element air cleaner and a functional cowl induction system (with no door!), which doesn't help! The only time I ever smell gas is when I smash the throttle on acceleration and then let right off. When you do this with a Holley double pumper, it pretty much soaks the air cleaner element with fuel!! The smell dissipates in about 10 seconds!

Even a slight drip will cause a gas smell though! I would go through every line and fitting until you find the leak. Check for a ruptured fuel pump diaphragm if you have a mechanical pump.

Paul D.

Every time this happens to me, it is because the gas cap is slightly askew. Take it off, put it back on.

Yeah, it sounds silly but try it.

Rick.

i'm going to check all the lines again since i'm about to replace the sending unit. which leads to my next question. i did notice a little leak from my tank sending unit when i tilted the tank during installation. could this be the problem? is there a gasket there that could be bad causing the smell?
zack68

Zack,

There should be an o-ring between the tank sender and the tank. If it was missing, fuel would litterally gush out! Usually, the o-ring cracks or, more commonly the sender leaks aroud the fuel supply pipe. Mine leaks a bit when the tank is topped off to the max, so I avoid filling it to more than 7/8 or so. It will make it smell like fuel even though no gas is ever visibly leaking!

I agree with Scoop though, check the gas cap seal! I forgot about that. It'll leak like hell under even moderate acceleration. Drive it enuff and you'll get to the point where you're really anal about making sure it's on right!! :D

Paul D.

thanks guys, like i said i'll be replacing the sending unit so the seal will also be replaced and i'll double check the gas cap. i do notice that on real hot days(100+) when i remove the gas cap you can hear the pressure built up release. so maybe its not the gas cap.
zack68

I have a 68 that has all new carb,lines,tank,cap,sending unit, you name it. Every time I drive it and then put it in the garage I get a strong gas smell.
I have checked everything I know and can not find a leak.
I need help too!
Thanks
Eldon
Lubbock Texas

You shouldn't get a "strong" gas smell, but these old cars are a bit stenchy as coompared to the new stuff. Modern emission controled vehicles have fuel systems that are tight as a bulls butt since they have to pass the EPA "shed test"! They basically put the car in a Zip-Lock bag and sniff for gas vapor/HC's.

By contrast, our cars have a vented fuel system and probably crankcase as well. My garage tends to smell more like a mix of half-burned fuel and old motor oil! :D

Paul D.

[ 08-10-2004, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: PDQUICK ]

Dont feel bad ebd I have replaced everything that has to do with the fuel system, and i'm still getting a strong fuel smell in the garage. I even removed the tank and pressurized with air to look for leaks. The only thing that i could find was air coming from around the cap. Replace the cap installed the tank and still have the fuel smell. Right now i'm banging my head on the wall trying to figure this out, if anyone has input please help.

I'd really REALLY take a close look at the gas cap. The only time I've ever had problems with this type of thing - gas smelly car - was when my gas cap wasn't sealing. Its amazing. These cars have these huge vented carbs and old-tech fuel systems but they don't smell much usually. Unless than darn gas cap doesn't seal right. Then it smells a lot. Go back to it and have a very thorough look-see. And don't assume your brand new GM unit is sealing. I had to double-gasket mine.
I'll bet its 99% of problems. Especially while driving. The air flow around these cars really seems to bring air from the back of the car in through the passengers compartment again.

that garage smell is what began my search since my central unit is located in the garage it will bring that nice strong fuel/exhaust smell in the house for everyone to enjoy. now i usually let my car vent a while outside before moving it in the garage.
zack68

Zack 68
It sounds like you and I are living simular lives.
I take my 68 out for a little show-off time and then I have to take a beating from my wife because the A/C comes on in the house and in comes the gas smell.
I have tried to trick her into believing that that is the way a classic smells but she knows that the only thing that smells is my story.
I am going to work on the gas cap area and see if that helps.
I hope someone figures this out soon.
Until then I am stick'in to my story.
EB
Lubbock

ebd,
i am about to order a new sending unit with the gasket so maybe that will help. i just replaced the gas cap and metal sleeve that goes to the tank as well as the rubber hose that covers it and i will tighten it all up. if i get any results i'll let you know,
zack68 graemlins/thumbsup.gif

btw i was up in lubbock a few months ago and all i could think about was how much fun it would be to open up the camaro on the loop that surrounds the town. i bet it would be cool!!!!

Zack,
Please let me know how it goes. I am about 80% complete on my resto. It goes to the paint booth this fall.
It would be fun to open it up, but they have so much construction that it would be fun just to go around the Loop at regular speed and get all the way around. They say the good news is that they will be all done in 2015!!!
I wonder what my Camaro will be worth then!
Hell, I wonder if I will be alive.
Keep me posted
Eldon

The fuel stench problem appears to be from the newer formulas in use today. I've owned my car for many years and never had a problem until about 3-4 years ago.

Upon parking the '67 in the garage the stench was horrible. It got so bad that I couldn't go into the garage until the next day (fortunately detached).

One item that helped was a new gas cap seal. Bought a new cap pulled the seal out of it and put it into my original cap. At least now I can go into the garage after a drive.

However, there is a good possibility that I am going to put a charcoal canister on the car. I'll hide it in the fender area or something. A canister from a late 70's early 80's car has two lines, in and purge. Just need to run the purge to ported vacuum through a restrictor.

It is the only remedy that I know of as a fuel tank needs to be vented one way or another.

Bob.

I had that problem with the smell too...Replaced the filler neck and got a new gas cap. Problem solved.

Well I thought I would report on my gas smell problem.
I did what YC67 did, I replaced the filler neck and it is no longer a stinky car. I had already replaced the cap but I guess the filler neck would not seal.
All fixed and I don't have to explain to my wife that that is how raw power smells!!
Eldon
Lubbock Texas

Thanks for the update. And congratulations.

My car still has that dead critter odor. Thought that I could drive it out, but went for a long smelly drive last weekend.

I've got to do something. I am planning on dismanteling the heater core next.

If anyone can think of anything else let me know. I'll keep you all posted.

Yeah drewbird, you can try but you can't ever "drive" the dead animal smell out!! Mildew in the AC evap is another one!! You have to find the soure and remove everything it touched from the vehicle. It kinda sucks but that's the deal!! graemlins/sad.gif

ebd,

LOL!! "the smell of raw power"??? Gump, you are a genius!!! I never woulda' thought of trying that line on the ol' lady but I might try it now!! ;)

Paul D.