Fuel Smell

[P0WER]

I just filled up the car for the second time since I have had it.
The fuel smell is VERY strong for a long time after a fill up.
I did not over fill it and I see no leaks at all.
What could it be or is it just the nature of the beast?

[GMingst]

I have the same problem, and it is common although not a normal thing. There are a number of hoses located in the right rear pillar behind the rug (where the filler is). These can loosen over time, or worse become porous. Filling the tanks, or hard cornering will force fuel into some of these bad hoses and there is the major source of smell. Make sure to check under the hood and the charcoal canister as well to see that everything is connected.

Regards
Graham

[P0WER]

thanks, I know ALL the hoses had been replaced in 2002 by someone else, but alot of that 2002 work has turned out to be pretty shotty work.
I'll go ahead and follow every hose and check them all out

[nize]

i remember reading about this in a FAQ somewhere, it's a known issue as graham mentioned.

[nynor]

mine did this horribly, until i found that the charcoal canister was GONE. i replaced the canister and the problem went away.

[nize]

here's something to check outside;
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=224979&highlight=fuel+smell
and;
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=159811&highlight=fuel+smell

[nize]

ah yes, the charcoal canister.
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=62564&highlight=fuel+smell

[Eldorado]

lift the carpet in the trunk... on the passenger side of the trunk there will be a black rubber seal that has more than likely a) come loose, or b) missing entirely... re-seat the seal over the hole (you'll see it there - it's about 3-4 inches in diameter - and you should be good to go..
if u dont have one at all, just use tape to tape over the hole.

[Granite 944]

I'm going thru this with two of my cars right now. I just pulled the avatar car ('85/1) into the garage to do a tranny swap, and decided it was time to look for the "smell" (it was a fairly light smell). I THINK, the problem I am having with this car, is that a hose that goes from the drain nozzle tube (inside the gas cap door) , had cracked open badly, but the drain tube itself was plugged up pretty solid with rust and crap, but I think its allowing any spilled gas from refueling, or excess water in that area, to basicly drain down into the car on the top of passenger side inner fender, in that cubby hole. That drain setup Y's into the same drain hose coming down that C pillar from the sunroof drain in that corner. You can look to see if its a problem, by removing the round carpet clips on the aft side of the filler cover to the rear of car, fold it back, then look up in there with a flashlight and mirror, or you could get your body in a twisted up fashion, and look up there and see if all is connected and not cracked, also look for discoloration of the dust on top of that inner fender. Make sure that drain inside the gas filler door is not plugged up, or has a broken hose. Careful though, it can be pushed out of the hole in the body fairly easily. There are several other possible sources of "smell" like this also. All the other suggestions are possibilities also. This just happens to be one of the easier ones to resolve also. I'll know for sure if this trully was my problem after the car is back on the road, and gets another refill. I went as far as taking the cover off the filler tube inside to look around, checked the tank on top (as much as I could see with still in the car), and from under the car to see if there was any signs of leakage like there is on my other car. The other car I have ('83), I know I will most likely have to drop the tank out to find and fix. I've just not gotaroundtoit....ya know. Good luck!

[P0WER]

Thanks all.
Granite, I sure hope it's the problem you described because it sounds like an easy fix.
Where is this charcoal canister some of you speak of?????
I just passed emmissions with flying colors!

[Eldorado]

check under the back carpet too..
like i said - lift up the carpet, and look on the floor of the trunk. you'll see a black disk there - chances are it's been removed from the whole it plugs - put it back.

charcoal canister is located behind the driver's side front wheel.