10 replies to this topic

[Cooper Mac]

Hi all!

 

I've recently got the mini engine fired into life, but now when I go into the garage, there is a very strong smell of petrol!

 

There isn't any smell of petrol inside the car, but the garage stinks!

 

During the car's rebuild, I have cleaned out the fuel tank, this is leak free, so no fuel in the boot, and therefore no smell inside the car.

 

I have replaced the copper fuel pipe under the car, and it has a new mechanical fuel pump.

 

The tank has a new breather pipe.

 

All of the flexible fuel hose has been replaced with CODAN J30 R9.

 

I did spill some fuel when I was trying to prime the pump last week, but this was outside the garage, and I'm sure that I wiped up any spillage.

 

I can't find any sign of a leak, so I'm not sure what it could be?

 

Could it be the changes in weather and the fumes coming out of the tank breather? I have approx 20 litres in a 34 litre (7.5 gallon) tank.

[SKIDDERWOLF]

Probrally from the tank breather pipe which exits beneath the rear subframe mine stinks too.

[Chris1275gt]

My garage used to smell of petrol finally found a decent non vented filler cap but still used to get a whiff with the weather change so got a bit of sponge ( not closed cell type) pushed a bit up the small vent pipe underneath the car and not smelt in since, and never had a problem with it.

[sonscar]

I like the smell of the garage in the evening after a hot day,petrol,rubber,oil,old car smells.Take a good coffee sit down and contemplate life.Nice,
Check that the fuel is not overspilling into the carb due to leaky float valves,Steve..

[Cooper Mac]

Probrally from the tank breather pipe which exits beneath the rear subframe mine stinks too.

I think this is where it is coming from but the smell is quite strong!

Is there any kind of filter ai could put on the end of the breather to reduce the fumes?

[SKIDDERWOLF]

I don't know although have often wondered the same too. Somthing carbonbased might work - Hopefully someone more experienced could provide some advice. Or I may try what has been suggested about shoving some foam up the hole.

[timmy850]

The factory solution was a charcoal canister and allowing the fumes to be drawn into the intake under certain driving conditions

Eg
https://www.somerfor...ve-loss-control

[Steam]

Make sure the fuel tank filler cap has a good sealing gasket. That is a more likely place than the breather for a strong smell.

[Cooper Mac]

Update:

So, I’ve added a loop of fuel hose, and a plastic fuel filter onto the end of the breather pipe and cable tied it onto the rear subframe, as below:



This seems to have cut the smell of fuel considerably! I also noticed that I have a vented fuel cap, so I have ordered a non-vented cap, to see if this reduces it further.

I’ll update when I have fitted in trialed the non-vented fuel cap!

[nicklouse]

Check the carb overflow.

[Cooper Mac]

Check the carb overflow.

Hi Nick, I’ve checked and the carb overflow continues to be dry.

Thanks!