Gas Smell

[picross]

I just got a backdraft this weekend (2 years old, 670 miles) and there is a significant gas smell in my garage. I checked and there are no leaks underneath on the floor. I can smell gas when i take the air cleaner off, but it doesn't seem strong enough to make the whole garage smell.

Anyone else have similar issues?

[Cashburn]

How full is the tank?

[RedBarchetta]

You're going to get a lot of residual vapors trapped in the sidepipes. I can still smell racing fuel in my garage a good 3-4 days after a drive. It's part of Cobra ownership, in my book (residual gas fumes). But next time you drive check the carb after shutdown to determine if you can hear any residual fuel trickling into the venturi. You may require a float adjustment in the bowls to lower the fuel level, accordingly.

-Dean

[pmfranke]

check the one way valve that lets air into the gas tank as it's being used to see if it is stuck open.also the le mans cap on my car doesnt seal all that well.Some people use a tennis ball as a secondary seal under the cap. Good luck. peter

[picross]

i had the smell both with 1/2 tank and a full tank. I'll check the float level to see if that might be it. I do disconnect the battery when it's sitting, so the elecetric fuel pump is always off.

[Tony Radford]

Check the filler hose that runs between the Lemans cap and fuel tank. Mine was loose and filled my garage with fumes.

[Speedysnake]

I had a similar problem with my BDR when I first got it. Check all the fittings and the fuel gage sending unit flange for slight leaks. I didn't have enough of a leak to show up as wet spot on the floor, nonetheless I had a strong odor of raw gas in the garage. after solving the minor leak problems, I've only had that familiar smell of gas after a good ride.

[ezplans]

After a drive, the gas smell comes with the territory.

Bill

[Poolw]

Check to see if the air cleaner is hitting the choke. The guy who brought my previous cobra noticed that the top of air cleaner was rubbing on the choke plate. He added a 1/2 spacer installed on the air cleaner to fix. Just a thought.

[xlr8or]

Originally Posted by picross

i had the smell both with 1/2 tank and a full tank. I'll check the float level to see if that might be it. I do disconnect the battery when it's sitting, so the elecetric fuel pump is always off.

Try turning off the electric pump when approaching the house. This will allow the fuel bowls to empty out part way as you pull in. If that makes a difference then your floats are too high. Might also be heat soak sets in after parking and is pushing fuel out of the bowls.

[Dan Stryffeler]

There was some discussion in a thread a year or so ago regarding the use of braided rubber hose for fuel line... the thinking was that fuel odors would leach out through the line; i.e., run hard lines for fuel and only use rubber to make connections.

I have braided lines, but have always assumed that it is my carbs which stink, (or sweeten up depending on one's preferences), my garage.

- Dan

[Blittleton]

I had one of my customers complain once about the fuel smell, I found that the car was too rich. I leaned it out just a little and the problem went away. Easy fix.

Bill

[picross]

it seems the vent hose running from the tank to the gas cap was partly to blame. The fitting on the gas tank where the tube attached was loose - i tightened it and re-tightened the hose and the smell is mostly gone. There is still a slight odor - i'll check the other items as well.

Thanks for all the help and the quick replies.

[Speedysnake]

It seems that we've been talking about two different smells, the smell of the residual fuel in the exhaust, cobined with the heat from the engine, and RAW gas. I kinda like the smell of the hot car when i bring it in the garage after a good run, but that raw gas smell is scarey!

[DC COBRA]

I used to run race fuel (leaded 110 octane) in my car all the tme, never had any fuel smell when parked in garage. Although a couple of occasions I had to put super-unleaded in it to get it home, although it was usually no more than five gallons at a time. Everytime I did this it would have a very strong gas smell in the garage, I had seen some articles on steel-braided line and the possibility of gas seepage thru them. With todays chemicals and crap in gas I could believe that. I am fairly sure that was cause in my case, even though I did use Earl's hose and Aeroquip fittings. Can honestly say never had the problem with the race fuel I guess it was of better quality since it was about $4.50 a gallon.

DON

[jp65cobra]

picross

I get venting vapor and the smell of gas when I fill up close to home and return with it to full. I should check my connections as you did but I suspect I am just over filling and just need to burn a little off before parking in the garage. I never get this when I return with a little less in the tank.

John

[cbreez]

don't forget to check the gashole! LOL

[JayBar]

My BDR also made the garage smell of gas. AS has been said it's part of owning a Cobra. But I did change two things, not for the purpose of stoping the smell but for other reasons.
I shortened up the tube from the filler cap to the tank. I made it as short as possible. This stoped gas from pouring out of the top when I gassed up and also allowed me to fill up the car with another 6 gal's of gas.
Then I got rid of my Holley Street avenger with an electric choke and went to a double pumper with no choke.

Then one day noitce the garage did not smell of gas. I can't tell you which mod did the trick but I would lean tward the carb.