Subtle gas smell. Normal?

[696969]

I have received a few complaints from folks lately that there is a scent of gas given off by my car. It's a 69 Satellite. I've always noticed a slight fuel smell with these old cars and don't see it as too unusual. When I open the hood, I don't smell much fuel at all. If anything, I think it's just a little vapor escaping via the carb and air cleaner when the car is warm.

Is this kind of thing typical? I imagine it is.

One problem is I share a garage with a fellow tenant. He says the fumes somehow make it to his apartment above the garage. The garage doesn't have any ventilation that I know of, so I crack the garage door just a hair, and that seems to take care of things.

Also, at my work a couple of maintenance workers commented that it reeked.

I just wonder if this problem can ever really be solved at all with a 44 y.o. car.

:eusa_think:

 

[hammond472]

Just to be safe check your fuel system for leaks: rusty or cracked tank, bad filler or return hose, sending unit seal, gas cap seal, filler neck worn or damaged, rub on a hard line etc. I would do a pressure test by pulling the line to the supply on the fuel pump and pluging it. Then pressurizing the system with a modified gas cap with an air fitting and a t with a pressure gauge. It only takes 8-10 lbs of pressure to test. If the pressure drops you are bad. Storing a vehicle in an unvented area is asking for trouble. Hope there is not a furnace or a water heater in the garage. It would be a shame to lose your ride and your home in one day or your life. You can also install a fuel cutoff before your carb which should seal your system if you pass a pressure test first but it will only work if you run the float bowls dry after you turn it to the off position. Good luck. Hope this helps.

 

[Sonny Black]

open fuel system (carb)....not like "new" cars.....yes, normal to have a bit of gas smell.

 

[wannadrag]

Tank vent will give off some oder.

 

[HT413]

Sure it's a constant smell? maybe just running a little rich - my wife always complains I smell the house up whenever I start it or pull into the garage (garage is under my house). Also, if it's leaking enough to smell up the house on a consistent basis I would think it would be enough to accumulate on the ground? At least a slight drip drip drip right after you park it.

 

[tpodwdog]

its highly possible to have a fuel leak...and NOT see it on the floor as a puddle. when i got my Bevl II... i had a gas smell like CRAZY and no evidence of gas anyplace. it was the gas tank grommet and it had a small leak and would wick along the dust and dirt on the tank and evaporate.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

My 69 RR has 2 vent lines and when he fuel expands after a long trip and I park right in the garage I can smell the vented fumes, it's normal gas expands when hot and needs to be released some how. It's always safe to check for leaks though even if you don't have a puddle.

 

[67 coronet]

todays fuels vaporize easyer then the fuels did when your car was made.do as others have said and presurise the system to check it.try to look at all points(including filler hose connections and all around the tank seems)with a flashlight.look for any residual stains,those can indicate seepage or wicking like dog said.

 

[696969]

A lot of great advice here. Thanks all!

 

[Dennis H]

open fuel system (carb)....not like "new" cars.....yes, normal to have a bit of gas smell.

Yes, you should check for problems. But, an occasional hint is normal. People alive today don't remember that it is normal to have SOME notice at start up or an occasional hint of raw gas. Likely it is an old car hater bitcher. To me it is equivelant to the beeping, ringing, singing hand-held **** boxes that most people have in their hands at all time. It is annoying.

 

[Mebsuta]

Mine has smelled like gas, exhaust, old vinyl and everything for 25 years I have owned it. It smells like a big lawnmower. It was made with little regard for emissions.