Smell of Gasoline
06-07-2005, 11:42 PM
#1
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Smell of Gasoline
Alright, the past two times I have filled up, my car reeks of gas for about 3 days. I cannot see any apparent leaks. Anyone ever encounter this? The smell is in the cab as well as outside the car. 
06-07-2005, 11:46 PM
#3
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I can't figure it out either. I've had the carpet out, tested the fuel filler drain, and made sure the lines are in the right place. I smell gas inside and ouitside of the car, but can find no leaking. :|
06-07-2005, 11:51 PM
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I had the same problem in the '88. Turns out it was a leak. You've gotta remember, gasoline evaporates fast. Real fast. Like a few seconds on a hot day. Mine's leaking from the rubber hose right in front of the fuel filter. Worth a check, look at it while it's running.
06-07-2005, 11:52 PM
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Your vent hose from the other side of the fuel tank is cracked. This takes a 45 degree bend at the fillter and comes up to the vent overflow tank that is hidden in the large pillar. The early 944's use the cloth wraped rubber hoses not the better all rubber hoses the later 944's use.
You can fix this with a some copper tubing bent at the same angle as the tank to filler. Remove the cover on the filler, cut the vent tubing and insert the copper tubing. I also put two clamps on the hose even though the copper was a snug fit.
When you put the cover back on the filler passage use fresh weather caulking. Also put two sheet metal screws in each side in the center as the cover tends to bow away from the sealing area.
Also check the seal around the level sender.
Check for screws going through the rear cargo deck from stereo installs. The fuel tank is right under the sheet metal and will be punctured.
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83 944 = It's NOT a 'real' Porsche -- Its Better!!!!
When was the last time you changed your timing and balance belts
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The 83
You can fix this with a some copper tubing bent at the same angle as the tank to filler. Remove the cover on the filler, cut the vent tubing and insert the copper tubing. I also put two clamps on the hose even though the copper was a snug fit.
When you put the cover back on the filler passage use fresh weather caulking. Also put two sheet metal screws in each side in the center as the cover tends to bow away from the sealing area.
Also check the seal around the level sender.
Check for screws going through the rear cargo deck from stereo installs. The fuel tank is right under the sheet metal and will be punctured.
__________________
83 944 = It's NOT a 'real' Porsche -- Its Better!!!!
When was the last time you changed your timing and balance belts
and/or cam chain and tensioner?
The 83
06-07-2005, 11:55 PM
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Find a shop that can do a pressure test with a smoke machine. They do a low pressure test with CO2? I think and it will pour smoke from any leaks. Not sure on a cost of having this done. It's a thought. Or a quick flick of a lighter before entry should burn off any annoying odor, lol. Good luck
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06-08-2005, 08:57 PM
#9
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Sometimes the tube draining the overflow at the outside of the fuel filler gets clogged and you can then smell gas. Also the rubber elbow at the bottom of the fuel filler tube inside the pillar cracks and leaks (hard to find).
06-08-2005, 09:18 PM
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I could flex the tubing and see the crack. There are other locations that can crack or come loose. Just have to drop the tank.
__________________
83 944 = It's NOT a 'real' Porsche -- Its Better!!!!
When was the last time you changed your timing and balance belts
and/or cam chain and tensioner?
The 83
__________________
83 944 = It's NOT a 'real' Porsche -- Its Better!!!!
When was the last time you changed your timing and balance belts
and/or cam chain and tensioner?
The 83
06-08-2005, 09:34 PM
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I have the same problem and then one day unscrewed my cap and removed rubber gasket. After 21 years it looked a little flattened out. I then flipped it 180 deg and put it back on thus refreshing the angle the seal pushes against the filler neck. Seemed to help a considerable amount. My next step will be to do the vent lines for the full monty.
Thompson
1985 944 #353
1996 //S6
GMR/PCA editor
Mountaineer
Thompson
1985 944 #353
1996 //S6
GMR/PCA editor
Mountaineer
06-08-2005, 11:29 PM
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A bit off topic but does anyone else auto shut off when filling the gas works? Sometimes mine shuts off sometimes not so I have to becareful when filling up the tank.
06-08-2005, 11:40 PM
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Johnathan, I have the same problem also on my '83. Have had for some time. I've been to sidetracked, so I haven't gotten around to dropping out the tank to take a look see. I do know that I can see a little gasoline seapage trail on the front/drivers side of my tank when looking from below. I've just been running the car on about a 1/2 a tank now, for some time, just to avoid dropping it to find out where my leak really is. SoCal may be right about it being the vent hoses, as I haven't really taken a good, close look to verify that yet, but I'm sure its not my sender seal. I also know that my tank will pressurize, as witnessed when removing the filler cap after running a while. Let us know what you discover with yours. Good luck!
06-08-2005, 11:58 PM
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Had the same problems in my '83. It took an entire new filler neck, cap and then dropping the tank to find and repair the rust pin-holes before it was finally cured. Remember, the early tanks are metal- water lays on top and eventually rusts out. That, along w/ 21+ year old rubber.....