Strong Fuel smell

[Alexc1984]

I've noticed there is a strong smell of fuel that seems to be coming from the passenger footwell area where the battery is. Is there any way a fuel leak could make its way there? I have changed the rubber fuel lines in the last 6 months and just had a full body off restoration so I would have thought any major issues would have been seen then.

[dwhitaker]

Not sure how it would get in there (area sealed from water so should be from fuel too), but there is the fuel tank breather pipe that goes from the tank, down the near side bottom chassis rail, clockwise round the engine bay, and finally into the carbon canister in the o/s wing down by the radiator. Its rubber pretty much all the way. Perhaps it was trapped when the body was put back down.

[977]

Check your fuel pipes - if the rubber perishes, you're a fire hazard.

[Goaty Bill 2]

He just changed the fuel lines

It's just a thought but;
It's cold out and especially when it's cold petrol fumes will fall to the lowest point.
It could be that you smell it in the footwell, but it's originating from somewhere else.
There is no smell of petrol in the boot?

[Alexc1984]

I'll have a look, I thought it could be injectors as I think I flooded it the other day after stalling. I've arranged to have it trailered back to the garage to check. I started thinking whether I had the heater pipes leaking and it was antifreeze I could smell or oil from a head gasket but the oil cap looks fine and coolant smells okay.

[Chuffmeister]

Is your exhaust bolted properly to your Y-piece or have you got a break in the flexi joint (if you have one)? The fumes from unburnt fuel etc will escape from these points, especially on the overrun. Its close to the footwell, especially the flexi.

Otherwise, re-check the hose fitting on the fuel pipe that comes from behind the plenum/ over the bell housing. It may be leaking and then dripping downwards, causing the smell.

[Alexc1984]

I think it could be something like that. I'll get the garage to check all that as it's had new manifolds so could need tightening there too. Foot well is wet but suspect thats because it was left outside in this horrendous weather for a week, though the heater pipes in the foot well do have signs that something has leaked.

[Chuffmeister]

Those heater pipes are a bit of a pig of a job to do. Try tightening the clips first, otherwise time to replace the hoses, which means battery, ECU and footwell rail pipes out before you can start with the hose. It is also easier to do this job with the pax side manifold and plenum/ intake manifold removed.

[anonymous-user]

Have you checked the fuel filler cap? The cork seal goes over time and you can get a fuel smell drifting in to the car.

[Alexc1984]

It could be contributing as it looks past its best. Thanks for the suggestion.

[bluezeeland]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

+1

[anonymous-user]

I had a tiny hole in one of the fuel lines by the oil filter, had that replaced but it still smelled of fuel (although not quite as bad).

I replaced the cork seal and it stopped the smell

Well worth a try before looking any further.

[Yorky]

I had the same problem last year. The new(ish) rubber fuel pipe had failed/gone soft on the junction with the copper pipe. Never seen the problem before, and the rest of the pipe was ok, but was of course replaced. From first smelling fuel it took a few weeks before the joint started p@@ing out 4 star!

[Chuffmeister]

Yorky said:

I had the same problem last year. The new(ish) rubber fuel pipe had failed/gone soft on the junction with the copper pipe. Never seen the problem before, and the rest of the pipe was ok, but was of course replaced. From first smelling fuel it took a few weeks before the joint started p@@ing out 4 star!

4 star, that must be at least 38p a litre! Where are you getting it from???