Fuel Smell / Odor - Replaced Gas Tank Vent Lines / Hose - 83SC

[Gordo2]

Filled up the gas tank to prepare my 83SC for winter storage and had a strong fuel odor in the garage the following day.

The smell seemed strongest near the driver's front wheel. I removed the wheel and found that the fuel line / hose leading from the expansion tank in the trunk, to the expansion tank (vapor separator) in the driver's wheel well was leaking.



Additionally I found that the gas tank vent hose was saturated with gasoline:



I replaced all of the vent lines using 1 foot of 1/2" I.D. fuel line, and 3 foot of 3/8" I.D. fuel line (bought locally at Napa).



The 3/8" line coming from the opaque fuel overflow / expansion tank in the trunk was somewhat difficult to install - it runs to a nipple that sits just below the fuse block and it's difficult to access. I used a long needle nose pliers to feed it onto the nipple.

The 1/2" and 3/8" lines fit very snug - I lubed the nipples with a bit of silicone spray to help slide the hose on.

I also cut the old lines off after I removed the hose clamps. The hoses were stuck to the nipple fittings. You don't want to try to tug the hose off of any of the plastic nipples (on expansion tanks), or they may break. A quick razor blade cut along the length of the hose at the fittings help them come off easily.

I've seen a few threads on fuel smell - these lines may be the culprit.

Gordo

[bigel]

Nice work...how difficult was the run to the wheel well?

[Steve F]

Good save! I have to ask, what program or ? are you using to be able to write on and use arrows for your pics, I would love to able to do that

Thanks,Steve

[Mike Andrew]

Did this a while ago for the same reason. I found the same issue with the fuse box interference. I also replaced the filler neck hose and removed and cleaned up the fuel tank. Still get an occasional whiff and think I will try to test the wheel well tank to determine if it may be compromised. Too cold now so it looks like early spring.

[Gordo2]

Originally Posted by bigel

Nice work...how difficult was the run to the wheel well?

The line in the wheel well wasn't too difficult to replace - it only runs from the expansion tank to a fitting/nipple that's mounted to the wheel well (metal tube that's passes through the wheel well and exits at the bottom of the fuse panel - the difficult one to connect the 3/8" line inside the trunk).

Also had to cut off the hose clamps in the wheel well - they were corroded and wouldn't unscrew to remove.

Originally Posted by Steve F

Good save! I have to ask, what program or ? are you using to be able to write on and use arrows for your pics, I would love to able to do that
Thanks,Steve

Apple Preview has a quick feature to add annotation and basic graphics (arrows etc.).

Gordo

[sperberj]

Hi there, its been a while but i wanted to update this thread with a mystery. I removed the vapor line under the fuse box because it appeared to be plugged. I stuck a screw driver in there and discovered this interesting brass insert with a small vent hole in it. Have you all ever seen this before? The car is an 1983 sc Targa. I was cleaning it up and found that the small tube in the left front fender tank was wide open with deteriorated rubber. When I patched all the lines I started getting huge hissing sound when opening the tank. I guess not venting. I am claening and replacing the ferrule to see if this helps. Has anyone ever seen this before?????

Joe

[Hotshot]

Once I find the right choline hose I’ll be doing mine and report. Thuringia to find a Canadian supply as crappy dollar and shipping intl. Porsche wants 27& ea and $173 for the longer run. A little too pricey a meter.

What line did you use?

Did you have to loosen off the fuse box?