Is this common

[m60ddy]

Hi all,
Sorry but new to this section of PH. I am considering selling the Capri to buy my first TVR. I was talking to some one who has a Chimaera and they said that they quite often smell fuel on their clothes after being out in the car. There are no signs of leaks to the fuel system? so as the title suggests is this normal?
My thought is that fumes with un burnt fuel are coming in from the exhaust?
Your thoughts are much appreciated.
Cheers Matt

[Mark.]

Never smelt fuel in 11.5 years!

Are they old? Maybe it's piss they can smell?

[fausTVR]

No, this is not a usual problem. It could be that he had a tank venting issue (fumes are piped to a charchol canister in the front wing), or worse, an engine bay fuel leak. I'm always able to alight from my conveyance as fragrant as ever.

[Bassfiend]

What a load of soapy old donkeynadgers!

(Translation : No - not normal and never had it myself. )

Edited to add : If I did notice this I'd give a little more thought to quitting smoking...

[m60ddy]

Mark. said:

Are they old? Maybe it's piss they can smell?

Helpful thanks?

May be worded wrong, is there a common fault is more the question.

Will mention checking vent thanks.

It would appear not a common thing so will advise having a better look at the fuel lines

[cjj799]

I have heard that if there is a manifold leak that the fumes can enter the cabin if the roof is up and windows open a bit.

[Bassfiend]

m60ddy said:

Mark. said:

Are they old? Maybe it's piss they can smell?

Helpful thanks?

May be worded wrong, is there a common fault is more the question.

Will mention checking vent thanks.

It would appear not a common thing so will advise having a better look at the fuel lines

Chill out fella - life's too short to be serious ... that's why I drive a Blackpool bucket!

There's no inherent "feature" of Chimaeras that makes you smell of petrol - sweat and / or sh*t maybe but not petrol. If you do stink of fuel (or exhaust) after a run then there's somethingwrong...

Phil

[kenny Chim 4]

The only time I've had a whiff of fuel in the cabin is just after I've filled the tank to the brim.

Now, this can be a very healthy thing as it can put you off lighting a cigarette for a while

[Mark.]

m60ddy said:

Mark. said:

Are they old? Maybe it's piss they can smell?

Helpful thanks?

Perhaps not that bit

But the first line about 11.5 years and no smell of fuel might have been.

[griffdude]

Sometimes if the boot doesn't seal correctly, there can be an exhaust smell. This can be rectified simply enough tho.

[ButtonIt]

FUEL LINES!!

Had this myself 3 weeks ago, very strong smell of petrol in the cabin. The fuel hose had cracked and was pissing petrol all over the manifold, this caused me to crack and piss all in my trousers until the car had cooled down ;o)

[anonymous-user]

griffdude said:

Sometimes if the boot doesn't seal correctly, there can be an exhaust smell. This can be rectified simply enough tho.

+1

[swallet]

I would say no. This is not a problem common to chimaeras.

As above, what is worth checking if you look at one are the fuel lines under the bonnet (they run above the offside rocker cover).
Even the youngest chim is now nearly ten years old and these can perish like any other rubber. Mine were cracked on close inspection and I replaced them - you don't want fuel pouring onto a hot exhaust manifold!

Having said that I've not actually spoken to anyone who has had a fuel line split so it isn't "common" per see.

[Quietlybonkers]

swallet said:

I would say no. This is not a problem common to chimaeras.

As above, what is worth checking if you look at one are the fuel lines under the bonnet (they run above the offside rocker cover).
Even the youngest chim is now nearly ten years old and these can perish like any other rubber. Mine were cracked on close inspection and I replaced them - you don't want fuel pouring onto a hot exhaust manifold!

Having said that I've not actually spoken to anyone who has had a fuel line split so it isn't "common" per see.

DEFINITELY check the fuel lines. Those on my 99 Chim were horribly perished when I bought the car. Mechanic I took it to nearly passed out in horror. And mine weren't even leaking. Open the bonnet, look right at the back, driver's side, just in front of the windscreen, above the number 8 exhaust. Two rubber hoses. If you smell petrol, panic! it is a cause of fire, and fibreglass burns!!

I will post photos later of mine, before they were changed.

[Chlomeara]

No, never had any fuel smell in the cabin. I did have an 88 Lous Esprit before the TVR and that always had an odour (as does my MGB!. TVR has always been fine