smells like gas

[not_sure]

Why does the inside of my car always smell like gas. I dont have a leak anywhere. It does not smell real strong but its there. is this from the carbs running to rich. I was under the impression that I was running lean because of the popping in the carbs. Any ideas?

Tom
71T 2.4

[ljonespwc]

I have the same problem intermittently in my '88 coupe. I've had the gas tank vent lines checked--no problems either. Once I roll out of my garage, the smell goes away, but I can count on the smell returning the next morning.

[not_sure]

Yeah, its pretty bad. my wife wont even ride in it. To bad, her loss

[R22tech]

You guys should check your fuel lines carefully. Especially the ares where the rubber/fabric hoses meet the flare nut connectors at the crimped portion. The hoses on the fuel filter are common leak points. It is easier to locate if the engine is running but be carefull! If the smell is worse when you have the heat on-I am almost certain you will find one of these lines is leaking fuel. Get it fixed ASAP as a fire could result.

[N11Porsche]

I had the gas smell problem in my 1979 SC.
Don't remeber the reasoning, but I read a post about replacing the gas cap to get rid of the gas odor. I got a new gas cap - gas smell is gone and hasn't come back in the past 2 years.

Bill Carcot
1979 911SC
Diablo Region, P.C.A.

[not_sure]

I had to add a return line on mine, i user a rubber line and ran it through the trans tunnel, there are not any leaks, but could the smell come from the rubber line?

[Dan Morton]

I had the same problem with my 1970 911T. It turned out that there was a small crack in the plastic air box that sits up under the cowling on the drivers side. I removed the box and examined thoroughly and found a very small crack around the part where the fuel line connects. I simply applied some epoxy and the smell disappeared.

-Dan

[not_sure]

I will take a look at that tonight, dan. Thanks

[not_sure]

Testing the photo feature...

[pwd72s]

2.4 T? Did you check your "gas box"? There is a plastic box under your dash, two clear plastic lines lead into this box...it's part of the fuel evaporation smog control stuff installed in those early years. ONe of these lines could have come loose, or the box itself could have developed a crack. Either one could cause the smell, which is usually strongest just after a fill up. Look under your dash from the trunk, drivers side, back from the trunk hinge on that side. It's what I've called a "gas box" tho I'm sure Porsche has a more technical name. Going to Cambria, after a fill up in Sacramento, It happened to me, the larger of the two lines came loose. Fixed it by flashlight, a rest area past Stockton. Boy, you can gather an audience, doing minor repair in a rest area. Guys driving Toyotas are suddenly Porsche mechanics. Funny, huh?

BTW, if the box is cracked? I wouldn't think epoxy would hold as well on the thermoplastic it's made of. Good auto pars stores stock a product simply called "industrial adhesive" that does a cold welding of themoplastics. Comes in one of those 2 part syringe devices, like some epoxies. It comes in different formulas, including one designed to resist fuels, for repairing thermoplastic gas tanks. Not sure who makes it, maybe 3M?

[This message has been edited by pwd72s (edited 05-29-2001).]

[JerRed]

I'm chasing a strong fuel odor in the cabin, as well.

What function, if any does this box provide?

Here it is in the car...

This one in my car is toasted. Can I just cap off the lines to each other? When I call the dealer tomorrow, and find out how cheap it is (ha, ha) I'll bust it apart and take pictures.



------------------
Cheers,
JerRed
1973 911T, 2.4 CIS

[82SC]

had that problem with my car...

jack it up and take off the guard plate at the front of the car....where the fuel pump is located...start the car...

these lines get brittle and can crack at the banjo crimp connections...

the pressure leaks some fuel out...it gets trapped by the guard plate...and sits there and stinks up your car...

That was my reason...got new connections...no mroe smell

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

The black box is a simple Fuel trap that recondensates vapored fuel into liquid again. The higher in the car the better.

It also contans a roll over flap/swimmer to avoid siping after a overroll.

The hoses are a special PVC type as normal PVC will harden in several monts and brake. You also can get newer silicone based hose.


Grüsse

[JerRed]

Roland,

I was planning to replace all the lines in the front with stainless braided hose (reason: I have some handy) and was thinking of building a aluminum box instead (mine is cracked). That way, for my 40 bucks and time, I shouldn't have the same problem again in 30 years.

Is this thing supposed to attach to the car? Mine was just sitting in the cavity.

Thanks again...

------------------
Cheers,
JerRed
1973 911T, 2.4 CIS

[This message has been edited by JerRed (edited 06-06-2001).]

[cds72911]

Not that anyone would ever do this, but is it possible/feasible to remove all of the evaporative emissions controls on these early cars?

I've seen may race cars with only one vent line that goes through a small filter (so small stuff doesn't enter) to the open air.

Could/would this setup work on a 911? Would it impact any critical systems?

Just curious,
Charlie

[stlrj]

Could be your gas cap. My cap had a bad cork gasket and the spring inside was binding so it would'nt seal. Very noticeable when you fill up.

Joe

[pwd72s]

Grusse...thank you for the tip. Special PVC plastic? Are these lines still available in clear? Want to keep my car "owiginal", sort-of. A least now I won't waste my time with normal plastic tubing.

[JerRed]

Charlie,

If you remove all this stuff, and just vent to the open air...

You'd be venting to the open air. Then you'd still smell the odor. That is something I'm trying to get away from. Probably one of those things where it's okay for a race car, but you'd get real tired of it all the time. Kinda like open exhausts.

Just my 2 cents...

------------------
Cheers,
JerRed
1973 911T, 2.4 CIS

[pwd72s]

Jerred? The "gas box" in my car is attatched, but hard to see where or how. I'd have to pull the blower shroud to get a peek. But to answer your question, yes, it is supposed to be attatched, not just floating loose. A PO must have decided it was a difficult job to place it back correctly, so just let it flop around up there...

[BillM]

The black plastic box is held in by a big,black rubber band.