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adam78 Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2013 Posts: 219 Location: Jersey Shore USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 6:05 pm Post subject: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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Hey all, I was having a hard time figuring out why my car kept stalling at 50mph. I had it down to fuel, so I slowly replaced the fuel system. Tank was steamed, new lines in the back to the carb, blew out and cleaned the metal rigid lines, new fuel sock, ect... Ever since then, it smells like i'm driving with an open gas can on my passenger seat. I replaced the brass connector at the bottom because that had a small leak to it, the only thing I can think is, what is the second hose on the bottom of the tank? My dad and I dont really know where it goes... I have rerouted one of the vent lines to outside the car via the drain hole where the spare tire is. I can only think it is that strange charcoal filter thing on the passenger side? I just noticed it the other day while sniffing around...Idk man, i'm at a loss here haha _________________ 1975 Beetle 1600dp 4spd Daily Driver.
1972 Westy 1600 Type IV 4spd project/ soon to be driver. |
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Dwayne1m Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2011 Posts: 3538 Location: Pennsylvania
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Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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What year is your car? Was it converted from fuel injection to carburation that it has metal lines(plural)? Is there a line that runs from the charcoal canister all the way to the back into the air filter, or is the charcoal canister just venting into the trunk? |
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VERTED71 Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2014 Posts: 345 Location: EWA KAI
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 1:07 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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is it all the time? had a similar issue even after replacing the filler neck, hoses and fittings on my 71 SB. last resort was the gas cap. didn't seal well so got a few rubber O rings and that seamed to do the job. no more gas smell or fuel running down the fender on left hand turns. Good luck! _________________ Aloha'z and have a great day!
71 Super Beetle Vert
15x4.5 Front
15x6.5 Rear
155/60R15 74T tires FRONT
205/65/15 tires REAR
1600 Dual Port
Progessive Carb
Electronic Ignition
Tri Mil "hotdog" exhaust |
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Saylr Samba Member
Joined: September 27, 2015 Posts: 95 Location: Outer Banks
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2016 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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Maybe the fuel sender gasket? After a short drive,mine reeked too,then I noticed the dampness around the sender. |
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adam78 Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2013 Posts: 219 Location: Jersey Shore USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 2:01 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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Hey all, sorry, I got pre-occupied redoing my whole front end. Now it's Drivable again...but only with the windows down.
It is a 1975 standard, single solex carb, rusty barn find basically. The tank has been cleaned, new sender unit with new cork gasket, and cleaned metal lines, new rubber in the rear, new sock and fuel cap.
The thing is, it didnt start making the stink until AFTER I replaced a lot of this stuff, or, it did, but that was during the summer and I had the windows down too often to notice. It always smelled a little like gas, but not this bad.
Is the cork gasket good enough? I'm thinking maybe taking up the sender gasket and glooping it with some sort of gasket maker along with the cork? It just seems funny that the smell didnt show up until I fixed the leak that was under the car. _________________ 1975 Beetle 1600dp 4spd Daily Driver.
1972 Westy 1600 Type IV 4spd project/ soon to be driver. |
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60ragtop Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006 Posts: 7800 Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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where did you get the new gas cap from? _________________ Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
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sb001 wrote: |
maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked |
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adam78 Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2013 Posts: 219 Location: Jersey Shore USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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No idea, it was one of the spares thrown in the trunk when I picked up the car that the previous owner "never got around to" doing. I wont mind changing it, it just seems strange that something on the outside of the car could cause the smell to be that strong inside. My 64 thunderbird had a broken gas cap for a while, and though it spilled on sharp turns, and you could smell it outside, the inside never whiffed of the stuff. _________________ 1975 Beetle 1600dp 4spd Daily Driver.
1972 Westy 1600 Type IV 4spd project/ soon to be driver. |
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hotsam Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2015 Posts: 366 Location: Ashburn, VA
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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I went through the same thing - replace everything.
Including:
1. Fuel hoses, above and below tank - clamp everything
2. Gasket on gas cap
3. Fuel filler hose(s)
4. Fuel filler hose gaskets (they look like thick rubber bands)
5. Pressure test your expansion tank if you have one (not a ton of air pressure, be smart about it)
6. Replace the sender gasket
It looks like an expensive list, but it isn't. _________________ 1968 Beetle |
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gereonb Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2016 Posts: 149 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2016 7:28 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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Just replaced the sender gasket on my 71 because of the same issue, my OEM gasket is a rubber ring though. Worked for me. |
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gereonb Samba Member
Joined: February 10, 2016 Posts: 149 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2016 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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Just replaced the sender gasket on my 71 because of the same issue, my OEM gasket is a rubber ring though. Worked for me. |
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andk5591 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 16754 Location: State College, PA
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 6:51 am Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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Assuming that you have some of the stock system still there....(I am going to be dealing with this later today on a 73 super). There are several hoses between the filler and the tank and the vent system. Any of those failing will cause your issue. A pic of what you have would be a great idea.
OK - next to the big hose into the tank is a line thats about 1" in diamter. Porbably runs to the filler neck. Run your finger along it and them smell your finger. If it smells like gas, it;s bad. You also have several vent lines. Same deal. They should not be leaky or seeping.
Couple other quick test. Take the car for a very quick run around the block with hard left and right turns (mostly left). Then check around your gas cap for leaks. Also look at your filler hose where it goes onto the tank and the sender area. Any places that are wet from gas are problem area.
Last thing - your vent line NEEDS to be first run up as high as possible with a loop in it (like up to the hood hinge area) and then back down. You can acutally end up with gas siphoning out of the vent. One or more of these will fix your issue. _________________ D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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Goldbug3318 Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2014 Posts: 210 Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 8:03 am Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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Mine had the same issue. Here were my problems:
1. my filler neck (where the cap is screwed on) was bent. I straightened it to the best of my ability. I made it as flat as possible so the gas cap seal was flat & a tight fit.
2. I bought a new gas cap as well. I had to end up crimping the cap to itself so it does not free spin when you tighten it. Since my filler neck lip is not perfect (even after my "fix") I need to make sure it's tight so gas does not seep out.
3. Replaced my sending unit seal. The old one was bad.
4. Also discovered my gas tank at the sending unit area was slightly deformed, I assume it's a cheap aftermarket tank as the material (tin) here is very soft. I used an RTV designed to stand up to fuel to seal any last minor (unseen to the eye) openings.
I've now driven it as least a month after all these fixes & NO gas smell.
Good luck OP, there is no "one way" as all cars are different & there are many parts that make up the gas system in trunk.
Mike _________________ 1971 Super Beetle 1302S
1641 DP, lowered, 914's, etc...
1990 Ford Mustang Coupe
2008 Ford Mustang Coupe
2003 Chevy Corvette |
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garyt Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2015 Posts: 763 Location: Burgundy
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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I had bad smell of gas in the cabin and it was the rubber (not cork) ring had broken when I replaced the sender unit. Put new one on and it was fine.
I think 75 should be rubber ring seal, not sure tho, |
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Tim Donahoe Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012 Posts: 11739 Location: Redding, CA
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Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: Terrible smell of gas in the cabin. |
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Be aware the one or more of the small male vent lines coming from an aftermarket tank, may be leaking. Your hoses can all be new, but if a stem isn't braised in properly, you'll still get the fuel smell. I had it happen once.
Use JB weld to seal a stem where it enters. _________________ Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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