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Petrol Smell
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:04 pm
by Scott
Hello..
I'm getting a really strong smell of petrol fumes. Most noticeable when I first get in, and when driving with the windows down.
Any advice?
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:15 pm
by Nige
sounds more like a fuel leak around the fuel tank area, opening the windows will draw air through from the boot into the cabin. Check the condition of the filler neck and that you don't have any drip underneath the car
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:36 pm
by hot66
There is a little plastic box just underneath the front scuttle on the LHS. There are breather hoses from the tank into this. Check if this stinks of fuel. It might just need cleaning.
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:17 pm
by Scott
Cheers for the advise.... I'll have a little look around it.
Strange thing is that the breather pipe direct from the tank has a bung in it. I took this off before the smell was bad, and connected it up to the tube laying next to it. The smell then seemed to be worse, so I bunged it back up... and now it's worse still!
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:49 am
by Gary71
Hi, Check the fuel cap is on properly?
I had a smell in mine for weeks as you describe, which went away next time I filled up...

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:11 am
by bjmullan
Gary you're not the only one that did that

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:34 am
by Mat2.2t
I get a similar smell but I put it down to the fuel ventilation system on the car as it's a US model.
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:55 am
by pmjt
On older cars the 'gland' around the tank sender unit - along with the clip to the filler neck can both perforate / wear - worth checking both. Had the same problem with LYV 10D and discovered the drain hole seal was worn - 10p washer and the problem was sorted
P
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:14 am
by Scott
Cheers guys....
Had a good look around last night. Filler cap is on ok, and can't see any leaks from underneath of the car. The smell when outside the car seems to be strongest around the wheel arches. Do all of you guys use the breather pipes, rather than bunging them up like mine? I'll have a look around the filler neck as well.
Matt mines also a US model..73.
Ta.
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 9:15 am
by sladey
Had a similar problem which was due to faulty fuel filter -potentially quite dangerous
Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:04 pm
by JohnS
I had the same problem but cured it by replacing the gasket on the filler cap.
Johns
911T