Manfred

Hi Everyone,
Wanted to take this chance to introduce myself to the forum. I just purchased my first Porsche, a '91 928GT, 64k mi. (yeah!) which is something I had wanted to do for a long time. Anyway, hopefully I'll become an active participant here in the future. I live in Charlotte, NC and was hoping to dive into Sharks in the Mountains this year but my wife tells me that we have some other plans for that weekend (there's always next year).

I have extremely limited experience under the hood of a car so it seems I'm going to cut my teeth on this car (probably not the best idea but I wasn't going to let that stop me from getting my dream car). Anyway, I have basic mechanical skills and knowledge of electric systems so hopefully that will be enough to get me started. The car is in very good shape and most of the stuff that needs work (that I know of) is minor and I can take care of myself. The one thing I need some suggestions on now is that the car has gas fume odors in the cockpit. I remember reading somewhere that the vapor recovery system hose can leak into the cockpit and cause this but I can't remember where I read that--does anyone know of this issue or know where that hose is located so I can check it? Any other suggestions on what might be causing this? I smell like gasoline after I get out of the car!

Thanks,
Dan

(I chose Manfred for my username since it was my dad's name--he was from Germany, owned a couple '60s vintage Porsches and Dan was already taken...)

NickT

Dan;

First welcome!!! Lets hope you have many many years of fun with your new shark.

There is a charcoal canister behind the passenger side front wheel. You need to pop the tire off (observe safe practices here) and remove the plastic wheel arch lining. Easy process.

Inside you will find the canister and some vacuum lines. More often than not you will find the "3-way" fitting broken, it's the culprit for the fuel smell most of the times. I replaced mine with items found at my local autozone, but someone here also sells an all metal one for $25 or so.

Start with that and see how you go...

Again - WELCOME!

Landseer

A series of things can cause it.

For me, it was aftermarket stereo equipment, mounted to the deck inside the hatch (side opposite the battery). Small sheet metal screws pierced the plastic gas tank, which is positioned just beneath this surface.

Others have reported broken y-connection in passenger (right by convention) front wheel well associated with the carbon canister system. Hopefully others will chime-in, and the search here will also be a big help for you.
Congrats on the car, looks beautiful in the avatar.

Bill Ball

Most likely this, as others have said:

nosnow

I'm not sure about the '91 but if you are getting strong fuel smell make sure your fuel lines are not leaking. I believe the U-Shaped line is the one that tends to leak and cause engine fires. You don't want a crispy shark.

Rob Edwards

Dan-

2 years ago I was exactly in your shoes, except for my lack of electrical knowledge. You've come to the right place for expert advice, this'll serve you very well.

If you're going to be working on your car yourself, and if you don't have a lift in your garage already, go to the following link and get yourself a set of liftbars, it'll let you get underneath with impunity (and safety...)

www.liftbars.com


+1 on checking the fuel lines, that's the first safety item to check off. Next comes verification that your timing belt tension is ok, then, oh, about a million other checks. But 1st things first.

Welcome to the shark tank!

Leon Speed

Put your nose next to the right (passenger) side front wheel. Then stick your nose under the hood around the air intake. Where does the gas smell come from?

Mrmerlin

Welcome Manfred, you got a nice car to start things.
Anyway first you need to find the where the fuel smell is strongest its best to do this on a day when its not windy, fuel can come from under the hood , if you find the smell is strongest here dont drive the car or run the engine untuil you find the source Laking fuel lines are usually the culprit you will have to remove the air cleaner assembly to see the rear hoses by the way there are 4 hoses that need to be fixed with Hi pressure fuel line.
The next possiblity is a leaking fuel tank this is most evident from the passenger side rear wheel well. Other possibilites are the charcoal canister Y tube , I am not sure if this sytem was changed on you model year ( this is under the front passenger side fender well) remove tire and fender liner put car on jack stand. If your into this then you want to inspect the washer tank your looking for rusty colored water if you see any orange then the metal collars are rusting . There is one in the fill tube ( usually best to just replace this with a new fill tube one that you had dipped the end in boiling water this will make removal of the new metal ring easy) The othe r ing is in the tank inlet this one will require tank removal and some gentl prying.
Other possibilties are a leaking fuel pump/filter/line under the rear of the fuel tank there are 2 10mm nuts rtemove these and check for leaks
Other possibilites are screws driven into the rar hatch floor and a loose hatch this can let fumes in from the rear but you need to find the source, keep us posted, goodluck, Stan

soontobered84

Manfred, You really should try to meet up at SITM. Nice looking car BTW

6.0-928S

Welcome Dan,
I had the same problem. Fuel damper diaphram split & vacuum drew fuel into the heater system causing odor inside the car.

Good luck,
Hammer

pcar928fan

Second both of those. There is NOTHING better for a new shark owner than to jump into the deep end at a BIG national gathering like this one! You don't have to do the whole weekend, but you will make contacts that will last maybe the rest of your life not to mention the knowledge base is amazing. When you meet folks face to face you are more likely to get too fast responses here too, though what you have already experienced is pretty hard to beat!

Welcome to the shark pool!

James
80 928 Euro S GT class PCA Club Racer
81 928
84 928 S
88 928 S4
92 928 Euro GTS (yea, the only one in the USA...)
94 928 GTS
http://home.austin.rr.com/jemorrison2

Tails

Dan
Welcome.
+1 to all the other posts.
Another area to look at is the fuel tank sender unit , the access for which is located in the trunk under a circular cover to the left hand side of the spare wheel under the carpet.
The sender unit is held in place with a plastic cap and if this has been tightened to tight it can split, releaving the pressure on the "O" ring seal and fumes will enter the cabin.

When you remove the circular cover you will also notice a small vent tube fitted to a tight angled vent held on top of the sender unit and it is held in place with a screwed jubilee clip. Also check this for leaks. This it the tube that goes forward to the charcol cannister and the "Y" piece mentioned above.

Tails 1990 928S4 auto

Randy V

Nice car - welcome!



Oh, and we've all chipped in for your subscription:

Ispeed

That's a nice car. Congrats.

Manfred

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I briefly smelled up under the passenger fender and didn't smell anything--I'll pull the tire off tomorrow. I need to get the liftbars to make the work easier/safer.

There is an aftermarket stereo system in the car so an arrant screw may be the cause. There are no obvious fuel leaks and the smell is so strong in the car I have to believe the heating/cooling system is pumping it in--I think this is likely to be the source.

In any case, I think I will stop driving it for now--the last thing I want is a crispy shark.

SITM would be a lot of fun and it's just a few hours from me--maybe I'll be able to make it for a day.

Dan