Fuel smell in cabin

[ChrisL]

If I leave the windows and sunroof closed over night, I get a mild fuel odor when I first open the door. It doesn't take long to dissipate, but it's annoying. If I leave the front hood open, no smell. So, I think it's one of the fuel filler/tank hoses with a slight leak. There's also this plastic tank (center of the picture) that might be the one that previous posts have noted can crack.

Any advice on what my next steps might be? I've already tightened up all the hose clamps and replaced the gas cap, with no effect.

Thanks,

Chris.

[silverc4s]

Have you also checked for dampness / seepage around the fuel gauge sending unit??? The mounting screws seem to self-loosen over time...it has a cork gasket that will leak if the torque is gone from the screws.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by silverc4s
Have you also checked for dampness / seepage around the fuel gauge sending unit???

this topic has come up a few times.. I chased till I found a leaking gas cap gasket ...........Ron

[304065]

Heed the advice of the firefighter above. . . the tank gasket was the source of my bad smell.

[Early_S_Man]

Check the vent hoses at all of the 'tee' junctions ... vinyl hoses shrink and harden with age and can frequently come loose.

[grant lyon]

Suggest you check the fuel pump lines for peace of mind. I had observations much like yours. Chased down potential leaks in lines on top of the tank in the trunk , but the major contributor in my case clearly was a leak at the fuel pump.

[BGCarrera32]

Looks like you have maybe about an '86 Carrera? I have an '84, and am chasing the EXACT same thing. Replaced gas cap seal, sending unit seal, fuel pump, fuel pump check valve, and all related brass type sealing rings. I think the vapor leak is through the hoses to the expansion tank as they are vacuum lines and can get deteriorated from fuel soak (my theory anyway). Plan to replace those and the little expansion tank, but am looking for 14mm i.d. fuel line...

If ya stick you're nose darn near right on that line I have the arrow on the far right pointing to after its sits closed up overnight, you can smell it there big time.

Expansion tank p/n is 911 201 381 00 ($30 I think)

[ChrisL]

My nose says you're 100% correct. And, yes, it's an '86. Let me know if you find that fuel line.

Chris.

[BGCarrera32]

Will do...

[waweeks]

Can anyone tell me if there's a specific procedure or certain tips to follow when replacing the expansion tank and fuel lines leading into it?

Or, is it as simple as it looks?

Also, Is there a part number on those two silver braided fuel lines in BGCarrera32's photo above?

Thanks.
Wyatt

[Booney1golf]

("Can anyone tell me if there's a specific procedure or certain tips to follow when replacing the expansion tank and fuel lines leading into it?

Or, is it as simple as it looks?

Also, Is there a part number on those two silver braided fuel lines in BGCarrera32's photo above?")


I have a gas smell in my cabin of my 1985 911.

I can smell gas on my fingers after I touch the short braided vapor hose that from goes from the gas tank to the plastic expansion tank.

Any idea where to get this hose or a suitable replacement and also any tips on how to change it. Any thing special to not get blown up or is it as simple as it appears.

Thanks for your time.
Booney1golf

1985 - Porsche 911 Carrera Targa - No Substitute

[jtratza]

Same problem here for a couple of years especially after filling the tank. I replaced all the lines with fuel lines from an auto parts store. No more smell. Probably could have bought the lines from the dealer but these work and I was too lazy (and cheap) to track them down at the dealer. I was also too lazy to track them down at our host but if he does have them will replace this summer with the real thing.

[Vino]

Sorry to bring this back up but can anyone guide me to the hoses listed in the picture above to the part #'s, I don't mind to buy in bulk.

I need the hoses where the red arrows are pointing to and don't know which one's they are on here to order.

Thanks!!

[javadog]

Try 999 181 189 50. It should be a 14mm by 2.5mm fuel hose.

JR

[Vino]

JR,

Thanks for the reply!

Would this by chance be the same hose- N-020-371-1-M21

The ID on it is 14mm and OD is 17mm, no mention if it's 2.5mm thick?

Also, when changing these hoses, does the system have to be depreasurized or can the car sit a full day and not have fuel spray all over you when the hoses are disconnected?

Thanks again!

[javadog]

Vino,

I have no idea what that other hose might be. Changing the hoses is easy. Just take them off and put the new ones on. You can unscrew your gas cap first, if you like.

JR

[moneymanager]

You might replace the gas cap gasket, or add a piece of inner tube to bulk it up a bit... it was the source of my gas smell. Takes 5 minutes before you go to a lot of additional trouble.

[911pcars]

Fuel smell usually comes from leaking liquid fuel. Vapors don't easily permeate hose or leak unless it's through an opening or it's pressurized.

One good method is to top off the tank including the filler neck. At today's prices, this might cost you $100 (I'll update this in the future ). If there's a leak big enough for vapor to escape, you'll see the wet spot where it's leaking.

Sherwood

[dshepp806]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Fuel smell usually comes from leaking liquid fuel. Vapors don't easily permeate hose or leak unless it's through an opening or it's pressurized.

One good method is to top off the tank including the filler neck. At today's prices, this might cost you $100 (I'll update this in the future ). If there's a leak big enough for vapor to escape, you'll see the wet spot where it's leaking.

Sherwood

Now there's a hundred bucks you can use !!! Damned good idea as to leak location!!

Best,

[JohnJL]

Fuel smell in the cabin? That's the Smell of Victory! no, wait...that's Napalm...