Gas smell inside. Engine dies intermittently

[pope]

I recently got a 1970 2.2E.

I bought it knowing that the engine needs tuning - most probably the MFI needs some adjustment. I've done about 3500km with the car and, in general, it runs fine but I have two serious issues and I'm not sure if and how all of this may be connected so I'll describe what I think is relevant.

Issue 1:
There are times when the car smells gas inside the cabin. The first time this happened was right after a fill at the gas station so I presumed there was a bit of a spill. After a few hours it went away. More recently, this has gotten a lot worse to the point were the windows fog up on the inside after 2 weeks or so (I assume it is from the gas). I think the smell is now constant, meaning it never goes away.

Issue 2:
A few weeks ago, I was on my way to the gas station when the engine died. I was close, so I walked over to the station and filled it up with a bottle after which it started. I thus thought that it was because the tank was empty. Today though, even though I had gas in the tank, the engine died in the exact same manner as I was stopping at a traffic light. I started it up, drove a few meters then it died as I was making a 90degree turn. I coasted to the side of the road and when I tried it again, it started after which I drove all the way home without incidents.



Also, since day 1, when I go hard on the gas, the engine revs up pretty nicely but sometimes, when it reaches 5k or so, it does a kind of hiccup. It then continues revving up. The duration of the hiccup is not always the same (I think).

I hope this will help someone shed some light on my situation.

[Mo_Gearhead]

More info. may assist in troubleshooting.

Is the gas smell just inside the car, or can you smell it outside also? How about in the engine bay area? Have you looked under the car at the fuel lines where they attach to the tank? Have you checked the 'joint/coupler' in the trunk where the fuel filler tube attaches to the tank inlet?

[C4 Pazzo]

Check the fuel vapor hoses in the trunk. The plastic hoses especially shrink with age and can become disconnected from the couplers. Note that some of the couplers that join multiple sections of the vapor hose might be "hiding" under other hoses, so make sure you look closely. If your fuel and vapor hoses are original, you'll want to replace them.

[ossiblue]

+1 to the first two responses

The gas smell seems like a vapor issue, and don't forget to check the charcoal cannister.

The MFI issue I could only guess at but there are experts here that will contribute soon. You seem to be describing a fuel starvation issue. It could be some blockage in the fuel system from the tank to fuel pump to injectors. Have you changed the fuel filters, cleaned the gas tank screen? I know nothing specific about MFI except that an old, worn system can be a PITA to set right.

[jmcn3rd]

Do you have a vent on the neck where you fill the tank? Is there a tube on it or just open? Someone else here might be able to explain how the fuel vent system should be setup. On my 72 T, the charcoal cannister system had been removed ages ago so I plugged the vent on the filler neck and never had gas smell in the cabin again after a fillup.

[pope]

So, used the floor jack and the jack stands for the first time - a bit crampy under there but good fun .

I started by looking in the trunk at the various hoses but there didn't seem to be a problem anywhere there and certainly no strong smell. Meanwhile I noticed that the car was now dripping gas from the belly pan area.

I proceeded to remove the belly pan and saw that at the point where the fuel comes out of the tank, where it splits into 2 (one going to the fuel pump and another somewhere else) there was leakage. A drop every 5 secs or so. At that point I got a bit scared and decided not to fix it right there and then on my own but to seek help or to take it to a garage.

To my further disappointment, I realized that now, there was fuel dripping out the back too as the car was inclined backwards since I'd raised it from the front. I did not go to the trouble of raising the back to check that part out too. When I lowered it and switched the engine on, the dripping in the back became worse.

Any tips? Should I drive the car to a garage like this or is it too dangerous? Also, the fuel pump makes a whining noise when I turn the key. Is this normal?

[Mo_Gearhead]

If you do not plan to fix the car yourself, I would suggest you have it flat- bedded to your garage of choice. I would NOT chance a fire in the engine compartment (rear leak)! Be safe, not sorry.

[pope]

K, I've arranged for a platform to come pick it up later tonight. I'll post an update later on. If I don't, it probably means I blew up with the car :P

[Mo_Gearhead]

Good for you. Too many owners have neglected those rubber fuel hoses over the years and lived to regret it. Should be an easy (and not costly) repair. Good luck.

[pope]

Great news. I took it to the garage and we took out two of the fuel hoses, the one in front and one in the back (right behind the tranny). They were cracked and leaking badly. We replaced them and now the car is back on the road. Tomorrow I'm hoping the gas smell will be completely gone from the cabin.

I'll replace all the hoses in the next couple of weeks because they all look about the same age. Just to be sure.

thx for the help all.

[loke]

regarding the gasoline smell: the vapor hose on my 1968 is about 3 inches shorter than it once was, so yeah, they shrink like crazy. my car reeked of gas after a fill up and this was due to the connection at the tank. the hose simply pulled off the tank from shrinkage. i've managed to attach both ends (barely) and the problem is resolved.

i should think that ensuring those connections are intact will solve your gassy issues once and for all. apologies for the crappy pun. ok make that 2 puns.