Gas smell after fillup

Steve Gallegos · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2009, 10:18 PM

I have a late number Backdraft. Everytime I fill up, go home and park in my garage there is a strong gas smell that lasts for days. If I drive the car for 10 to 20 miles before I go home, there is no smell. I don't top off the tank. I stop at the first time it clicks off. Any help here?

GlynMeek · #2 (**permalink**) 04-08-2009, 11:49 PM

Let me speculate here a little, Steve as I don't own a Backdraft. Even though you don't 'top off the tank' and stop at the first click off, you have probably still filled the gas so much that there is a fair amount actually in the rubber hose between the filler cap and the tank itself (at least, that is certainly the way it is on a Lonestar, with about a 2 ft rubber hose from the cap to the top of the tank!!!). Driving 20 miles or so uses enough gas so that there is none in the hose...hence no problem!

There is more than likely a small leak somewhere around where your rubber connecting hose connects to the gas tank itself and this is most likely where the gas leakage occurs and generates the smell...couple of suggestions

1) Check out how much hose you have to see if I am correct, and then :

a) Check the condition of the hose and replace if necessary
b) Check the connection at the tank

2) Don't fill it up ! I am not being facetious here, as I have ALWAYS worried about this same occurrence, and have never topped mine off even to 'the first click'

Hope this helps point some things to look at

regards and let us know what you find

Glyn

PANAVIA · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 12:19 AM

what about a leaky connection,gasket or hose at the top of the tank >?

CowtownCobra · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Gallegos

I have a late number Backdraft. Everytime I fill up, go home and park in my garage there is a strong gas smell that lasts for days. If I drive the car for 10 to 20 miles before I go home, there is no smell. I don't top off the tank. I stop at the first time it clicks off. Any help here?

Yup, same here, Cobras aren't the easiest car to live with

jhv48 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 09:40 AM

Similar problem with mine.

Dropped the tank and found that there was a very small seepage around the fuel gauge gasket.

Drop the tank and check around the top for any seepage. You'll be able to see it right away.

Fix it no matter where it is. No one wants or needs gas fumes in an enclosed garage.

BOOM!

Doug I · #6 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 10:25 AM

yeah .... firing up the cobra takes in a whole new meaning

You knew that one was coming didn't you

mtpockets · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 06:24 PM

I had a similar problem with BDR 621. First the obvious, tighten the *%&# out of the hose clamps on the main fill hose. Second, the smaller vent hose, make sure its only long enough to reach from the fill neck to the tank> then tighten the %*#@ out of those clamps. It helped with the burping when the tank would start to get full and eliminated the minor leak. Also check to make sure none of the spot welds on the aluminum tank aren't leaking. Mine developed a pin hole after 7-8 months. JB Weld to the rescue. Good luck.

Dangerous Doug · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2009, 06:37 PM

Check and make sure any screw in fittings (even brass) has some teflon tape to seal the threads. I could smell a light odor of gas when around my Cobra in the garage. I spotted a tiny drip hanging from the fuel outlet on the tank (to the fuel line to the engine). My hoses were clamped tight, and I found that I could feel the fuel above the tube clamp by the threads on the right angle brass fitting.

Drained the tank, removed the fitting, applied Teflon tape, reinstalled, no leak.

Now the wife has one less thing to complain about on the Cobra...

DD