Gas Lines around tank HELP PLEASE

[mfiazzo]

Car: 1978 911SC Targa

Issue: When I open the "frunk" after the car has been sitting a couple/few day's I smell gas. Not overwhelming but it definitely smells.

So I figure I am going to change the lies in and around the gas tank with new ones. The old ones are still the cloth type.

My question is what size and type of rubber hose should I use?

Do you think this is my problem?

PS I did try the search function. I am seriously challenged when it comes to the search function because I can never find what I am looking for.

[dlagerstrom]

If you are talking about the lines in the trunk for the tank ventilation system they are 9mm id and 14mm od. I would think you want to replace these first as they are likely culprits of your fuel smell. Our host sells 9.5 x 14 smooth and 9 x 15 with the cloth braid like original.

The only other hose besides dedicated lines is the 12 mm ID 18.5 mm OD hose from the tank to the pump. This is a pain to get to as you have to remove the cover from under the car.

[mfiazzo]

Thanks Dave, much appreciated! when you say you have to remove the cover do you mean the skid pan underneath the car?

[dlagerstrom]

Yes. Cover for the steering rack. It is where you will find the fuel pump with connections to the hard lines that run to the engine compartment and one hose from the tank to the pump.

[grizzfan]

I presume from your post that you are smelling vapor rather than raw gasoline. Regardless, the best source for these lines is from McMaster and Carr. Google them and look for the type that handles gasoline and fuel vapors. They come in bulk and are not terribly expensive. I cannot remember the exact type/brand of hosing; perhaps someone on the board will remember.

Tom

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by mfiazzo

Thanks Dave, much appreciated! when you say you have to remove the cover do you mean the skid pan underneath the car?

You should be able to visually inspect that hose and be able to easily tell if it is leaking. It is always under some slight pressure from the head of fuel in the tank.

This also means you need to drain most of the fuel out of the tank to replace this hose.

Mark

[mfiazzo]

Thanks all, just to clarify, I am smelling vapors, I do not see any gas leaking from anywhere.

I am going to change the 9MM cloth braided hose first to see if that solves my problem. Will keep you posted.

I just ordered it from our host.

[Smoove1010]

Unless you've checked the hoses under the car, I'd make it a point to do so. I had similar odor problems when I first acquired my '87, and while I did replace the hose bits in the frunk, I found the chief culprit was that short piece between the tank and the fuel pump. There was no dripping leakage, but the fabric jacket was wet with fuel. Here's what that piece looked like on the inside when I did an autopsy. When a car is this old, all the rubber bits (fuel, suspension, braking, etc.) are suspect.

[rnln]

I don't know what size, because I got them from my buddy, but they are the problem on my car. Replaced those short hoses (2 sizes) and the smell is much less now. I also replace the fuel level sender gasket but my old gasket still looked good when I took it off.

Originally Posted by mfiazzo

Car: 1978 911SC Targa

Issue: When I open the "frunk" after the car has been sitting a couple/few day's I smell gas. Not overwhelming but it definitely smells.

So I figure I am going to change the lies in and around the gas tank with new ones. The old ones are still the cloth type.

My question is what size and type of rubber hose should I use?

Do you think this is my problem?

PS I did try the search function. I am seriously challenged when it comes to the search function because I can never find what I am looking for.

[mfiazzo]

Smoove, I will check that as well.

Did your line go to metal right inside of the smugglers box? Interestingly enough, I never noticed this before, but there is no clamp on the hose where it attaches to the metal. I will have to add one when I replace it. YIKES.

[RSTarga]

Does the 87 still have the expansion tank at the bulkhead? Sometimes it is cracked or disconnected causing vapors to escape.

[mfiazzo]

mine is a 78 and i do not see any expansion tank.

[RSTarga]

In the earlier cars it was behind the cardboard bulkhead on the driver side.