cwlovell

When I fill my '86 Carrera Coupe gas tank full (not necessarily topped off), I "enjoy" really strong gas fumes in the car. This dissipates quickly with windows open and goes away completely over the next day or so. I have check the gas tank vent hose (looks good but I am not sure where it vents), the tank fuel level sensor (nice and dry), the fuel filler hose (dry and clean). Do anyone have any idea where these really stong fumes come from and why they are in the cabin of the car. Thanks.

George 86T

CW--I have an 86Targa which has also started to reek a little after gassing up--and as yet--do not know where the odor is coming from. My main reason for replying to your post is that over the past 3-4 months I've seen multiple posts on the subject--both here and on the Pelican boards--and they seem to have all(?) been on 86's-87's. Is there anyone out there perchance that knows what the specific failure is for cars of this vintage?

BER

CW,

I don't know if this will solve your gas fumes problem, but I will relate a similiar instance.

I occasionally smelled gas fumes after filling the tank in my '84 Carrera. During my state vehicle inspection last year, I had to replace my gas cap because it would not hold pressure.

Guess what...no more gas fumes. Your problem could be as simple as replacing your gas cap.

Bruce

mm86911

Similar situation here on '86 911. Fuel smell after filling up, no leaks, just odor. Living with it for now. . .

George 86T

CW--did you have to replace the whole cap or just the rubber gasket? Anybody else have any input on gas cap leakage? I'm game to replace it but it would seem the gasket should be all that is possibly leaking.

BER

George,

I replaced the whole cap. Cost was under $10 for a new cap.

Bruce

Hugh

When I bought it a couple months ago, my '84 Carrera produced very vivid, nearly hallucinatory, gas fumes whenever I filled the tank over 1/2 full. I took it to a mechanic. Guess what? The car had been hit. The ensuing visits to myriad shops determined that the paint and bodywork was excellent (fooled me), the alignment could be readjusted (thank GOD), but the gas tank had to be replaced. It was cracked where the filler tube met the tank. You couldn't see it while it was installed, but as soon as it was out the staining told the story. I'm very lucky the car never blew up. The new gas tank eliminated the serious smell. I can now enjoy a fuller tank & longer drives too. There's still a slight lingering odor, though, which I think may have to do with the @*#&$@*&# emissions stuff... all those useless hoses and the mysterious charcoal canister, all of which I will one day hunt for and remove. So... while the gas cap is the usual suspect, if that doesn't fix the problem, do not discount the possibilities that there is something wrong with: a) your gas tank, or b) the @*#&$@*&# emissions equipment.

Cheers!

Huey58

Hey Guys! I had the same problem on my 86' 911 Cab. This is how I fixed it. When I went to gas up, I opened the hood,folded back the capeting, and waited for the overflow to fill. When it started to fill, I started sqeezing the overflow hose and the vent hose. Guess what? There was a small hole in the braided vent hose. Replaced the hose, no more gas odor in the cabin when I fill up!
check yours out!

Jgordon

Sorry to dredge up an old topic, but I have a similar problem. The thing is, the smell isn't noticable on fillup, rather when the car has been sitting. Any time I park, when I open the doors, the cabin smells strongly of gas. I've checked the culprits from this post and the "stinks like gas" post. Haven't found anything. Any ideas?

Much obliged.

Joe Riley

I also have had the full tank smell for the last couple of years. My wife refuses to ride in the car! This weekend I will check out these suggestions... thanks.

kksarver

CW- Had the exact same problem with my 86 Coupe.
And my wife would not ride in the car either until I got the problem solved. Found the problem to be the rubber vent lines (dry rotted) small and large to the expansion tank located behind the left front headlight bucket in the fender well.
Removing the wheel helps in accessing the lines tremendously.
Hope this helps.....

eskimo

I went through this same issue a year ago. I went through all the steps of gas cap, filler hoses.. the whole 9. Finally, I told my wrench that the wife was not allowing the car to exist anymore unless they fixed the fuel smell.
Well, they seaarched for a few days and found found that the PO at some time had a cell phone installed to the trans. tunnel. Whoever installed it wound up actually slicing the main line between tank and engine. They whoever hacked it did a five dollar repair job, and for the last however many years the lines would seep on a constant basis.

Slightly more expensive than 5 dollars, I got out with a 911 thaat doesn't smell like fuel anymore. I was lucky, they almost thought that they would have to drop the engine and tranny to get to the line. They didn't. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Jerry Forthofer

I also have a 1986 coupe. The fumes are strongest when I have the sunroof open and the windows closed. Any ideas?