Total Newbie Question - gas smell

[gingerbug]

I've had my bug '74 (reg) for 2 weeks. I park it in my driveway and whenever I walk by it smells REALLY of gas. Like it's evaporating from somewhere. It's not leaking anywhere so I am confused - is this normal?

thanks for your patience!

[webbracing03]

First I’d check the lines going to the filler neck my bug leaked threw them. Best practice to replacement then if they r dry cracked anyway so when your driving and the gas splashed your not getting fumes. Second thing I would check it the vapor recovery lines that go to that canister on the passenger side fender well. Worst comes to worse I could have a leak somewhere under the hood it will dry up before it leaves a puddle so I’d check rubber lines. If u don’t find it there chase metal lines threw the tunnel. Also can canister under my pass rear fender that connects to the fan shroud. Possible gauge sending unit gasket to. Just my 2 cents lol... hope it helps. May also be the smell of aging German insolation soaked with oil gas and the lives of past owners.

[Zundfolge1432]

Could be fuel vapor recovery/vent or worse leaking inside the tunnel. Sometimes a bad seal on the cap or sending unit. Sometimes a pinhole leak in tank bottom, a bad hose or a cheap plastic filter leaking. Does it smell only when tank is full. Lots of suspects but you’ll have to narrow it down

[gingerbug]

[gingerbug]

[FeelthySanchez]

¡Bienvenido a la Samba!
Please be advised that a common source of fumes are the more "perishable" items in the system, the most frequent & inexpensive of which are the factory braided hoses.
Worst-case scenario could be a rusted-thru gas tank - but at this point, I don't wanna scare ya that much. For right now at least.
Simplest might just be the gas tank cap - so .......
Let us know if the gas stench is stronger from under the trunk, or from the engine decklid?
Lotta possibilities in each, & I'll start w/ the trunk.

Check the integrity of that long brown plastic "vapor catch tank" (@ center) & its 4 small braided hoses (2ea, from L & R ends).
After 43 years, this assembly frequently becomes a SIEVE.
The last one I handled was an absolute fume factory & couldn't even remove it (intactly, anyways) - damn thing literally crumbled in my palm:

Here's one removed. When it left Wolfsburg in '73, it was indeed STRAIGHT.
Please also note the round, gold colored fuel level sender unit (to the rear) - just 'cuz that sucker's seal is frequently guilty, so expect to R&R it:

Next, inspect all hoses seen below & tighten the 6 hose clamps. Please note that only 3 clamps are circled in red here:

'Nuther view of typical lines & routing - just for the heckuvitt. Lot more "stench potential" right here .......

Should keep ya busy for a while (until I can raid some pix of an engine compartment ....... )
_________________

[gingerbug]

I looked and the filler hoses are pretty gross (moldy dirty and kinda moist). (The smell comes from the bonnet.) I am going to replace those first, tighten up all the seals and then see how it is.

I take a look at the vapor catch tank too! Thanks!