Gas smell
- Thread starter Junglecat
- Start date
How old are the fuel hoses (if old could be rubber that breaks down with ethanol) that connect both your fuel pump at the tank and at the carb to your fuel line(s) in and out to return line if connected. Check the lines in/out for the charcoal canister and check it as well for leaks. What carb are you running, check float levels etc. I imagine that you checked the tank for pinhole leaks, how about the gas cap.
If a visual inspection fails to identify the source do a fuel dye test. You will need a UV light
I had what started as a small hard to see leak in the fuel pump on my 64 Pontiac. Ethanol had eaten the diaphragm. It eventually became visible . Replaced it with one resistant to alcohol and problem solved. Might be worth a look .
There are a lot of hidden pockets and valleys on an engine that a very slow leak could be sitting in. My money is on a slow leak hose or connection. I'm surprised that you don't smell gas when driving.
Hello. You shouldn't have any charcol canister in a 69 so that's not a problem The most important things to check are the connections, in and out the fuel pump, in and out of the filter and into the carb. Also check the weep holes on the pump and the pump casing. I had a pump on my 69 that simple developed a leak on the bottom part of the pump, below the crimp, about the size of the eraser on a pencil, stunk up the garage and was leaking onto the suspension. I say that so that just because it isn't on the floor it may still be dripping.
If you have a Rochester carb. remember that you have 2 or 3 vents on that carb. Could the fuel simply be "boiling" or evaporating out of the hot engine after a drive. If the car is harder to start after sitting a few day it may be that the float bowl has gone dry and you are refilling it before it fires up and your'e smelling what has evaporated off.
You may want to also check your engine oil, check to be sure that there isn't a gas smell to it. If so your float is not right and change it and the oil before driving, the oil anyways. Take care and good luck.
If you have a Rochester carb. remember that you have 2 or 3 vents on that carb. Could the fuel simply be "boiling" or evaporating out of the hot engine after a drive. If the car is harder to start after sitting a few day it may be that the float bowl has gone dry and you are refilling it before it fires up and your'e smelling what has evaporated off.
You may want to also check your engine oil, check to be sure that there isn't a gas smell to it. If so your float is not right and change it and the oil before driving, the oil anyways. Take care and good luck.
Is this a new smell in the garage, or after certain events? Very hot day, sitting for a while, etc. Holleys also have vents in float bowls. I chased a smell after I bought my car, only to learn that the fuel in the float bowls was evaporating after a good heat soak. Be sure to check various screws on the carb to make sure everything is tight, and fuel 8s not weaping past the gaskets.