Another newbie question...

[craigmakes3]

Hello:
I hope I am not developing a reputation as a know nothing! Just trying to iron out some problems with my rebuilt 81 sc coupe.

When I make an abrupt turn, or turn more than 90 degrees at a good speed, (usually to the left) the cabin is filled with a powerful smell of gas. The first time it happened I pulled over and found both fuel lines at the bottom of the expansion tank actually wet. Where they had once been in a loop, they had dried out and cracked. I replaced them, along with the connection from the tank to the fuel filler tube, and the line from the expansion tank to the filler tube.

All seemed well, 'til a spirited drive today brought another rush of fumes after another left turn. I got out and checked, and the new lines were all dry. The gas tank itself has no signs of leaking, as best I can tell.

So, some questions/deductive reasoning/guesswork

1) Could be the expansion tank itself, though it seems intact.
2) Could be the fuel tank, but this amount of odor seems unlikely from a pinhole, and I don't see any visible staining
3) Only happens in situation where the gas is really sloshing around.
4) Does not happen when I am filling the tank with gas
5) I have not ever filled the tank up passed half full
6) Maybe bad gasket on fuel level sender unit?
7) Maybe the expansion tank in the wheel well or the line to that tank?

Please let me know your thoughts on this issue!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by craigmakes3

I hope I am not developing a reputation as a know nothing!

Silly goose. That term is reserved for me.

A little leak will not cause a waft of fumes.

For $10 replace your gas cap. I do know a tired one can release fumes. When you drive aggressively and are sloshing fuel around, you may create some pressure that burps vapor through the neck vs being handled by the expansion tank/vapor recovery system.

[DRACO A5OG]

To test, flip the cap seal over. If hard and brittle, replace it. Smog Check guys can check to see if it is leaking too.

[craigmakes3]

thanks for the input everybody. I will certainly check the filler cap, but it seems if that were the source of the leak, the smell wouldn't be so strong in the cabin. It was a point well taken that the smell could be caused by the vapor of the gas escaping and not necessarily wet gas leaking.

[tirwin]

When you're driving "spiritedly" are you running fresh air blowers or heat or A/C or windows down? Just wondering where the source of the smell might be coming from.

[Jcslocum]

Check the gasket for the sender and any other tubes, pipes and hoses. Google for a drawing as there and many parts to the vapor system and some are hidden.

[craigmakes3]

Not sure if any of the vents were open when I first smelled the gas, probably not. I am embarrassed to say that I had not turned the gas cap so tight that it "clicked". I tightened it this time, then did some abrupt and sharp turns, and didn't get any odor. I don't have total confidence that that was the problem, because as I said, it seems that the smell wouldn't have been so bad in the cabin if the leak was outside the car. I could be completely off on that though.

It also seems like a long way for the gas/fumes to travel to be emerging from the gas cap.

[DRACO A5OG]

Well, give it couple more spirited runs then please report back .

LOL, I know sometimes I baby her too much trying not to break something, I am such a geek :EEK:

[LakeCleElum]

Welcome to Pelican.......Keep up the Spirit......

[tirwin]

There are two types of people here: (1) the ones who have already done something stupid and (2) the ones that have yet to. The second group is also a bunch of damn liars. Glad you found the problem!

[craigmakes3]

Well, after thrashing the car around a bit it seems the gas smell has subsided. My guess is that the first time it really was leaking out the tubes going to the expansion tank (the braided cloth was actually wet) and the second time I was too stupid to close the gas cap 'til it clicked.

Thanks to you all!