Petrol fumes

[BingoBob]

I noticed the other day when I was running on fumes in Spain desperately trying to get back to France to find some 98RON that there would be quite strong whiffs of petrol occasionally (this is with the roof down). I stopped to make sure the fuel tank cap was on OK but the smell continued. Seemed OK once I'd filled it up.

Is this normal?

[silverspeed]

Was it whilst stationery or moving? If its when you are staionery could it be the tank venting? I would get it checked out to be on the safe side

[AMDBSNick]

I may be talking absolute bks but Calor Gas cylinders do the same when they are 99.9% empty. Something to do with less pressure on the hose allowing fumes to escape. Bob please bear in mind I am an Insurance Man so please don't take this as qualified advice.

[BingoBob]

No, it was while moving. While stationary I couldn't detect where the fumes were coming from when sniffing around the engine bay and fuel tank area.

I also have heard that cars can give off petrol fumes when almost empty, so maybe it's that?

[yeti]

Similar(ish) story... Sat on the North Circular yesterday for 2 HOURS after an accident held everyone up, car was very hot and was a roasting hot day, petrol smell started - I had about 1/6 tank left, I wonder of the vapour pressure got so high in the heat it started venting out?

No smell on the cooler, quicker drive home.

[mikey k]

yeti said:

Similar(ish) story... Sat on the North Circular yesterday for 2 HOURS after an accident held everyone up, car was very hot and was a roasting hot day, petrol smell started - I had about 1/6 tank left, I wonder of the vapour pressure got so high in the heat it started venting out?

No smell on the cooler, quicker drive home.

Exactly that the EVAP system cannot cope and vents fumes (IME on other cars)

[BingoBob]

Sounds like it could be that, then. Combination of low fuel, high altitude, high temperature and fairly hard driving then.

I put it on the list of things to worry about another day.

Thanks.

[michael gould]

BingoBob said:

Sounds like it could be that, then. Combination of low fuel, high altitude, high temperature and fairly hard driving then.

I put it on the list of things to worry about another day.

Thanks.

If however your car blows up and you die in a fireball could you ask your nearest and dearest to let us know we were all wrong.....thanks

[BingoBob]

That's the nice thing about the roadster: easy to abandon ship.

[George H]

michael gould said:

If however your car blows up and you die in a fireball could you ask your nearest and dearest to let us know we were all wrong.....thanks

I wouldn't worry about that - it's not a Ferrari after all

[tonyhall38]

harsh.....george.....but good

[mikey k]

George H said:

michael gould said:

If however your car blows up and you die in a fireball could you ask your nearest and dearest to let us know we were all wrong.....thanks

I wouldn't worry about that - it's not a Ferrari after all

I can just the that conversation;
"the other great benefit is if it tries to torch us we can just jump out!"