bureau13

Until now, when driving I sometimes would get a bit of a chemical smell but never a strong fuel smell. Yesterday I filled my tank all the way up, and noticed a pretty strong smell, and it didn't go away while driving. In fact, I still smell it if I open the car and stick my head in, although (this is weird) it seemed less strong while driving if I put the windows up. So I'm confused.

My first thought was the plastic Y in the front passenger fend (ordered, because chances are it's broken, or will break) but it seems odd that I never noticed this until filling the tank all the way. Is that consistent with a broken Y?

(MY '86.5)

bureau13

Forgot to mention, I have the complete Greg Brown fuel line replacement kit on this car, and the PO replaced the O-rings on all the injectors I think.

Eplebnista

If it is not your fuel lines, the Y connector is a good suspect. A somewhat more remote possibility given your description is the gasket at the top of the fuel sender. No fuel on the ground?

bureau13

No fuel on the ground, nor any obvious leaks that I've seen.

SeanR

Pull the hatch carpet up and remove the cover for the fuel level sender. When that seal goes bad, it leaks and fills the top cavity on the tank after you've filled the tank.

bureau13

Thanks, I'll check that when I get home.

Hilton

Yep - and if you fit a new one, make sure you tighten the new seal properly. An works a treat.

I didn't the first time I did a tank sender seal - came back to my recently filled car in the indoor mall car park, surrounded by a large puddle of fuel. Had to call security and the fire warden, who helped me push the car outside.

mickster

Just subscribed to this thread. One day I'll organize a page of my favorite threads.

Tony

hairline split in the gas tank. It will "seep" out. These tanks seem to split in the same spot. You probably wont see any fuel on the ground either...it evaporates and disperses as it slowly runs down the tank
. Ive found driving along with the sunroof open will draw the fumes into the cabin via the plastic cover over the sender in the trunk that is often off...or some of the wiring grommets in the battery/spare wheel well.

bureau13

Hmmm...I'm hoping it's not that :-( Is the typical crack on the top? I would have thought I'd have smelled it with a half tank or less unless it's along the top of the tank.

bureau13

OK, I pulled the carpet up and took a look. There's a piece of insulating pad or something with a plastic cover attached, this is just sitting on the hole. Is that what it's supposed to do? It seems like something that fits better would be there, maybe mine is defective or not the right part. At any rate, the "cap" below it is on tight, and I don't see any wetness...but, I do smell the gasoline there more. I assume the seal being discussed is inside the cap? I didn't unscrew it yet, it was dark and I had to get dinner for my kid. I'm betting whatever I'm smelling is coming from the fuel tank area though, rather than the y connector (which I'm still going to replace I think).

Bilal928S4

Check the connectors/hoses on top of the tanks. The plastic attached to the pad is standard. It might have warped over the years. There should be a vent hose at the top of the tank. If that is lose or cracked, it could be your problem.

bureau13

The vent hose seemed intact but I'll take a closer look in better light. Thanks...

Mark R.

Don't neglect the engine area (another area to rule out).
Pop the hood and make a quick inspection, if you haven't already.
A nice bright light (and your nose) to rule out any of those hoses/fittings.
The smell of fuel can migrate around the car in odd ways.
And as mentioned, small fuel leaks don't always leave telltale liquid.
They can often evaporate at the same rate as they happen.
Sometimes a small wetness or "weaping" is all you will see or feel.

.

CAPTAIN 911

hello bureau 13. i'd the same problem twice in the past.Remove the right front Wheel then remove the plastic liner Inside fender look on the left you'll the culprit, a little Y plastic pipe that send the fuel vapor to the vapor canistor tank it should be break so when you fill the fuel tank to the top fuel vapors goes Inside the cabin.it is an easy and cheap DIY fix.Good luck.