Fuel Smell

[rodneym]

Re: My 88 MkIV with 9k miles...
Originally I had the fuel return line that was cracked. Fuel was leaking and creating a 3" puddle of gas if I turned the key. I relaced most of the rubber with new FI lines (tank to filter, filter to pump, pump to hard line, return line to tank) from where the metal fuel lines come out of the frame (in front of the rear end). Leak is gone but still a slight smell. No wetness. Maybe the trunk got gas in it?
Is it worth investigating the vapor valve? I can turn it by hand, is that normal? It's a pop in part isn't it? I suppose the rubber seal could be bad.
Any tips on getting the tank about 1' forward? I don't think I can change the valve without moving the tank. I've removed the rear bulkhead before but what's keeping the tank mounted?
Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thank you.

I would give it some time to go away... and if it doesn't, I'd use the ultraviolet dye in the gasoline and look for "mist leaks" that you can't see any other way.

[rodneym]

I'm afraid the trunk got gas in it at one time. I keep the trunk open all the time, it's been 6 mos now. It's not that fresh smell. It's that "fuel has been here smell" but I still wonder about the vapor valve.
I think I'll get some fuel dye and and take a trip to Spencer gifts and get a black light and Grateful Dead poster.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

I'm afraid the trunk got gas in it at one time. I keep the trunk open all the time, it's been 6 mos now. It's not that fresh smell. It's that "fuel has been here smell" but I still wonder about the vapor valve.
I think I'll get some fuel dye and and take a trip to Spencer gifts and get a black light and Grateful Dead poster.

Even if it was soaked through and through, after six months the smell should be gone. I bet that ultraviolet dye shows a "spritz" here and there....

[rodneym]

If the magnesium wheels thread isn't enough entertainment...

I finally got rid of the gas smell from my MkIV. Simply remove the gas tank and clean.

At one time the connection at the bottom of the tank leaked. It was put back with a different (I assume) washer and a liberal amount of black silicon.
When I removed the rear bulk head there was old, sticky gas along the front bottom of the tank. I hope its remnants from the previous 'leak' and not a coninuous leak.

Tomorrow, I'm raising the tank off the ground, plugging the holes and filling it with water and using a fill tube about a yard in the air. This water column should about triple the pressure seen by the tank (which is nominal), and check the welds (nice aluminum tank and welds, to boot). I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no leaks.

Then I'll empty the water (and the remaining debris) from the tank and swish with acetone.

Any advice???

[ACademic]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Any advice???

1. Don't light any matches.
2. Disable the pilot light on your water heater (if in garage).
3. Don't turn on the clothes dryer (if gas heated and in garage).
4. Don't drop any magnesium wheels and create a spark.

I think that covers it.

[ERA Chas]

After all this, an open ziplock of baking soda in the trunk area when parked.
-No danger of dropping mag wheel yet.................

[rodneym]

@ ACademic and ERA Chas,

What, no rimshots?

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by rodneym

@ ACademic and ERA Chas,

What, no rimshots?

With Chas, the rimshot is sorta "implied."

And Chas, just to make sure you aren't making sheet up, I just went out and put a paper plate laden with baking soda in my trunk to see if it cures my fuel smell from a recent leak. And, yes, I did put a note to self on the steering wheel.

[patrickt]

Dang, talk about a thread full of friggin' geniuses.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by elmariachi

With Chas, the rimshot is sorta "implied."

And Chas, just to make sure you aren't making sheet up, I just went out and put a paper plate laden with baking soda in my trunk to see if it cures my fuel smell from a recent leak. And, yes, I did put a note to self on the steering wheel.

I'm sorry my far-away friend, baking soda will NOT cure a spilled case of tequila in a confined area...:

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Dang, talk about a thread full of friggin' geniuses.

Glad you could join us.

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

I'm sorry my far-away friend, baking soda will NOT cure a spilled case of tequila in a confined area...:

I know better than to mix my two favorites, Patron and Cobra.

[ERA Chas]

So--does it still smell like a frat house in the trunk?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

So--does it still smell like a frat house in the trunk?

I'll have you know my old fraternity house smelled fresh as a daisy. We used to have the pledges scrub it with tooth brushes and Murphy's oil soap until it sparkled.

[rodneym]

It might rain today which means the leak will be a bit harder to detect

Now, uh, boys, all this talk about frat houses and such....um, as soon as you guys start talking about 'grappling' in the hallways in your BVDs, well, you might want to start a new thread in the lounge.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rodneym

Now, uh, boys, all this talk about frat houses and such....um, as soon as you guys start talking about 'grappling' in the hallways in your BVDs, well, you might want to start a new thread in the lounge.

Never happened. We blackballed Chas. after the second week.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by rodneym

It might rain today which means the leak will be a bit harder to detect

Now, uh, boys, all this talk about frat houses and such....um, as soon as you guys start talking about 'grappling' in the hallways in your BVDs, well, you might want to start a new thread in the lounge.

Hey-I gave an on-topic reply here!

Originally Posted by patrickt

I'll have you know my old fraternity house smelled fresh as a daisy. We used to have the pledges scrub it with tooth brushes and Murphy's oil soap until it sparkled.

Never having had an orgy in the 'Nerd Heaven' house helped...

[RodKnock]

"Smell" and "Patrick". Yup, those seem to go together.

Rodney, post some pics of your AC MKIV. Me like to see.

[rodneym]

3 pinhole leaks on the bottom of the tank. The kind that take a minute for the tiniest droplet to appear.

At least I know now. I'm taking the tank to a recommended heliarc expert who works mostly on planes.

Rodknock - I've got a few weird shots of the Autokraft in a gallery on my page. I haven't polished her all up for a decent picture yet.

In the words of Florida Evans from Good Times, "Damn, DAMN DAAAMMNN!"

[rodneym]

Well, I buttoned her all up yesterday. I got the tank repaired and replaced ALL the fuel rubber at the rear. New filter, vapor valve, lines, clamps, fuel sender (from a few months prior) and some Permatex Avaiation sealer for the bottom fitting and ..... no leaks, not even the slightest whiff of gas.

For those who may not know, the tank has a peculiar shape. It has a bottom 'step' where the fitting goes, and the corrosion in the tank was there. That's what was replaced. It may have sat for long periods of time with moisture in the tank. The good part is that all the corrosion was confined to that small area. If you smell a bit of gas, take the rear bulkhead cover off and look at the bottom. And for whats its worth, the fuel lines were all cracked and brittle. I highly recommend replacing the fuel filter and the rubber while you're down there. Just because the braided lines look ok, they may be hard as rocks and crack easily. BTW, my AK is a 1988.

So far, so good.