Smelling gasoline when I am driving? What could it be?

Hello everyone! Well I am having a problem. When I am driving I sometimes will smell gasoline in the inside of the car. I can't really tell where the smell is coming from but the scent is really strong. The smell always appears only after I have been driving for awhile and when I park the car it seems to get worse. I found out about it smelling when I park it cause I parked it in my friends garage and she told me that her whole garage smelled like gas for hours. About a year ago I was having a similar problem and someone suggested I might have a cracked doughnut (the little rubber ring in the bottom of the filler tube) so I replaced it as best I could (used one from a mustang that was a little to big but trimmed it). At that time if you opened the trunk you could smell the gas but I opened it up yesterday and there was a faint smell but not anything that I would be worried about. Could this smell becoming from a cracked fuel line? Where should I begin? As far as I know the gas tank is not leaking. Thanks
Jeri

 

check for cracked fuel lines. There are a couple that go straight into the tank-it could be coming from one of those, additionally, there is more rubber fuel lines-I think at the fuel pump, then again at the carb. I would go through all of them and replace the rubber lines. You sure you are not running super rich?? Make sure your idle screws are adjusted properly.

Lastly, I believe the charcoal canister is responisble for dealing with gas vapors. Make sure the line isn't venting to the atmosphere. I had that happen in my 86 mustang-rubber line for the gas vent-return line was gone, and it smelled bad of gas.

 

feul pump feul pump feul pump

 

todd can't spell. i was getting the same thing. finally i found the leak... it was my fuel pump. leaking...

 

I agree on the fuel pump theory particularly the outlet line to the Carburetor I had fuel speaping around the fitting into the pump no matter how tight it was it still leaked. I fixed it by putting some thread sealant (not thread lock) around the fitting threads stopped the leak in no time. Also try looking at the fuel filter make sure it is not leaking at the point where it screws into the Carburetor, mine also did that awhile back I tightened the fuel filter more and used a longer newer rubber hose from the filter to the fuel pump outlet rail. I would also replace the vent hose into the tank (it should be at the top front of the tank (not the lower one thats the sending unit line) it's very hard to get at you may feel like dropping the tank to get it out it's always good to replace it with a new one they're very cheap to buy. Hope this helps.

 

I had the same problem with my 72. Figured out that it was a bad "gasket" on the gas cap. IIRC, the stock one was some kind of gasket material that was all dried up and shrunken (is that a word??). Anyway, I bought a rubber one from National Parts Depot (#9030, cost $1.00) -- no more gas smell.

Tom

 

Could be a leak anywhere in the fuel system, but I would check the tank--mine has a leak on top, so I can't fill it more than half-way. These cars are OLD and smal rust holes can form and cause leaks. I need to remove my tank completely and have it completely "boiled" and repaired...

 

I think that I may have found it, there was one leak inside the engine bay from the metal fuel line to a rubber one, the clamp was loose by two turns so I tightened it and I haven't smelled gas since. Hopefully that was it. I did however find another big problem. I found a puddle of oil on the backside of the engine where the intake meets the block. So, I will be taking back to the shop where I had the work done and they get to take it apart and replace the gasket and put it back together again! It has been leaking oil for awhile and they could figure out where from and neither could i but BINGO I found it! Anyway. thanks for all your help.
Jeri

 

Check Float levels. That was my issue on Edelbrock 600 cfm. Idle also needs to be below 100 rpm (weird I know, but that was as per Edelbrock tech).

 

charcoal canister?

jeremy can you tell me where is the charcoal canister is,or if you have pictures ? please

 

It's bolted to the inner fender apron just behind the right side shock tower. They're usually painted blue.

 

I dont mean to make fun of anyone! I just thought it was kind of amusing that an old thread came to life. But now, thinking of it, it could´ve been regarded as rude to write what I wrote.
The threads should ofcourse contain information and tips and tricks of finding errs. And the bump-poster did add more info.
Sorry if anyone felt insulted.
This forum seem very kind and relaxed compared to ALOT of other forums. Keep up the good work!

Roger