Petrol smell is driving me mad !

[so called]

Hi All,
I bought a 2006 Tuscan Convertible back in 2009.
Not had many problems over the last 5 years but one continuous issue is the smell of petrol.
Sometimes its quite light and sometimes its so strong it seems to get at the back of your throught.
Its been checked out many times and I've had one or two pipes changed and last month the fuel pump.
Just had a couple of jobs done ready for a drive to Germany next Tuesday but on the drive home the smell was very strong.

It puting me off this next trip as I don't want to turn into a fireball on the Autobahn.

Are there any realy stupid simple reasons that can cause this.
She tends to sit for 4 or 5 weeks at a time while I'm away on business trips and on this occasion, apart from its service in February, has been tucked away in the Carcoon since January.

Grateful for any advice.

Thanks,
Tony.

[nawarne]

Tony, maybe wide of the mark, but....
1) Carbon canister - have you had it checked/drained? Do you regularly brim, I mean really brim your tank...excess going to canister?

2) Has anyone checked the roll over valve? This zip tied to roll bar behind pass. seat. Believe these could cause fumes in the cockpit. Think they're a Ford part.

Nick

[Laser Sag]

It is quite easy for the washer on the outlet pipe from the tank to be mishapped due to over tightening and it will then allow a small amount of fuel to escape into the boot area, worth checking.

[GT6k]

My Cerb is similar, it always smells of petrol when garaged after a run. I have done all the fixes, pipes, injector seals, canister valve, manifold cracks etc. I now think that it is a tendency for the injectors to leak a small amount of fuel on or after swithching the engine off that leaves the smell.

[so called]

nawarne said:

Tony, maybe wide of the mark, but....
1) Carbon canister - have you had it checked/drained? Do you regularly brim, I mean really brim your tank...excess going to canister?

2) Has anyone checked the roll over valve? This zip tied to roll bar behind pass. seat. Believe these could cause fumes in the cockpit. Think they're a Ford part.

Nick

Hi Nick,
1. Carbon Canister ???
Didn't know about that.
Yes regularly/always fill to the brim.
2. I'll have to ask about this. I don't know if its been checked.
Thanks very much.

[so called]

Laser Sag said:

It is quite easy for the washer on the outlet pipe from the tank to be mishapped due to over tightening and it will then allow a small amount of fuel to escape into the boot area, worth checking.

Thanks LaserSag,
I'll have to ask if this has been checked but I don't think so.
Thanks also very much.

[so called]

GT6k said:

My Cerb is similar, it always smells of petrol when garaged after a run. I have done all the fixes, pipes, injector seals, canister valve, manifold cracks etc. I now think that it is a tendency for the injectors to leak a small amount of fuel on or after swithching the engine off that leaves the smell.

Hi GT6k,
It stinks during the drive. Can't really say that she stinks after.
I'll mention this as well though.
Cheers.

[ellroy]

I had this due to slight overfilling and a small leak in the pipe seeping into the carpet in the boot.

[dvs_dave]

so called said:

1. Carbon Canister ???
Didn't know about that.
Yes regularly/always fill to the brim.

That's your issue right there. Overfilling and the petrol overflowing into the tank breather pipe which is connected to the carbon canister. The canister acts as a fume/vapor filter. Regular overfilling ends up filling the canister with petrol which then leaks out and causes the strong petrol smell.

So do not fill up past the fuel filling nozzle's first click when full and it will eventually clear itself.

[nawarne]

so called said:

nawarne said:

Tony, maybe wide of the mark, but....
1) Carbon canister - have you had it checked/drained? Do you regularly brim, I mean really brim your tank...excess going to canister?

2) Has anyone checked the roll over valve? This zip tied to roll bar behind pass. seat. Believe these could cause fumes in the cockpit. Think they're a Ford part.

Nick

Hi Nick,
1. Carbon Canister ???
Didn't know about that.
Yes regularly/always fill to the brim.
2. I'll have to ask about this. I don't know if its been checked.
Thanks very much.

Yep, pipes ex fuel tank are crimped onto stubs on valve. These weaken over time.
Nick

[so called]

ellroy said:

I had this due to slight overfilling and a small leak in the pipe seeping into the carpet in the boot.

Boot carpet doesnt smell so I assume pipe is OK.
Thanks.

[so called]

dvs_dave said:

That's your issue right there. Overfilling and the petrol overflowing into the tank breather pipe which is connected to the carbon canister. The canister acts as a fume/vapor filter. Regular overfilling ends up filling the canister with petrol which then leaks out and causes the strong petrol smell.

So do not fill up past the fuel filling nozzle's first click when full and it will eventually clear itself.

Hi Dave,
How is Chicago ?
As I mentioned, I always brim as I'm always on long runs so I know, on more than one occasion, I have seen fuel go down the overflow pipe/breather.
This sounds like my self inflicted problem.

Thanks,
Tony.

[so called]

nawarne said:

Yep, pipes ex fuel tank are crimped onto stubs on valve. These weaken over time.
Nick

I'll have them checked,
Thanks,
Tony.

[A900ss]

dvs_dave said:

so called said:

1. Carbon Canister ???
Didn't know about that.
Yes regularly/always fill to the brim.

That's your issue right there. Overfilling and the petrol overflowing into the tank breather pipe which is connected to the carbon canister. The canister acts as a fume/vapor filter. Regular overfilling ends up filling the canister with petrol which then leaks out and causes the strong petrol smell.

So do not fill up past the fuel filling nozzle's first click when full and it will eventually clear itself.

Does the carbon canister need emptying or does it 'self clean' when the petrol finally evaporates?

[shep1001]

A900ss said:

Does the carbon canister need emptying or does it 'self clean' when the petrol finally evaporates?

For £20 thow it in the bin and replace it? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Carbon-Canister-Bra...

[dvs_dave]

It will eventually clear itself but will take a fair while and will be stinky the whole time. Replacement would be easier and much quicker.

[A900ss]

shep1001 said:

A900ss said:

Does the carbon canister need emptying or does it 'self clean' when the petrol finally evaporates?

For £20 thow it in the bin and replace it? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Carbon-Canister-Bra...

Ah!

For £20, I agree.

The TVR tax is strong in this one, the carbon canister is £150 at TVR 'dealers'.

Is the above a straight swap?

[shep1001]

A900ss said:

Ah!

For £20, I agree.

The TVR tax is strong in this one, the carbon canister is £150 at TVR 'dealers'.

Is the above a straight swap?

Its the same Ford part, it was on another thread I was reading earlier this week. S6 Devil (Mike) has already done it and confirmed its a straight swap. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Different part for V8's not the same as the T-cars but they still come in at about £90

Edited by shep1001 on Monday 21st April 18:05

[so called]

Where is the canister located ?

[shep1001]

so called said:

Where is the canister located ?

Look through the PS rear spider you can see it there. The bit you can see is the 'face' as its mounted perpendicular to the car.