Fuel Fumes

[annettej]

Mornin'

We keep the M12 in the garage and I've noticed that the bedroom above the garage stinks of fuel. We've had the car for 3 years but haven't really paid much attention before as we've not been using that bedroom for much except storage ... but am about to move step-daughter in there and would prefer for her not to be asphixiated! I haven't noticed the smell when other cars are kept in there, just the noble. The Nob spends long periods of time in there inactive as I am too pregnant to get in it and husband is often away so there is plenty of time for the fuel smell to build up ...

can anyone help me by letting me know ...

1. Is it worth getting the car looked at to see if there is a problem or are these fumes a normal part of noble ownership??

2. Is there any simple way to test for dangerous levels in the room?

Thanks all

Annette

[JAZ 34]

Hi,

Both Nobles I have owned have the same characteristics as yours.

You may find some info like the link below, in the search column link.

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=184621&f=26&h=0&hw=petrol+smell

[misterx]

This cropped up recently. Check out other threads and you will see that it is not uncommon.

[pbsaxman]

Hi Annette, there was a thread about this the other day. I am new on here so am not able to link you to it but I just found it by running a search on 'fuel smell'. It was the first one on the list that came up. As to the smell of fuel in the room above, if you have an integral garage it should be separated from the rest of the house by 30 minute fire resistance. You should check the integrity of the garage below, often some mastic (fire rated) has come lose or if a new house not been put in when it was built!! As to an easy test there isn't really a simple one unless you have a tester for petrol vapours. I could tell you the flammable range but that wouldn't help!! Check the garage for gaps etc first and then ventilate the garage for a while which should help. I am sure others will offer more advice when this thread is picked up later. Hope it works out and good luck with the pregnancy!!

[annettej]

Thanks for your help, much appreciated!

cheers

Annette

[jipsom]

It's only the smell of fuel that calms my nerves on a hectic drive

[Mr Noble]

Think the best remedy I heard was to fit a better o ring to the fuel cap. Mine flaps about when locked and is not air/smell tight at all.

My garage smells sometimes too. Usuall more when the car is full and hot when returned.

Greg

[AMG Merc]

A naked flame usually clears the smell of fuel very quickly - sorry I couldn't resist!

[turnbaugh]

I put out a post on this about 1 month ago. This seems to be a common problem.

On the fuel cap there is an adjusting nut on the bottom. You need to adjust (tighten clockwisw about 1/2 turn) this so there is enough tension on the O-Ring to seal the cap. You will see that the O-Ring gets compressed. It should be fairly difficult to raise the tab to open the cap.

Dean

[broad]

Gotta say that was the best mod I have done to my car yet !!! Thanks Turnbaugh for the info mine is now nice and stiff.....er....ahem

G

[V6GTO]

Annette,
Consider having a couple of air bricks put in the walls of the garage, and maybe renewing the cieling in there too. Doing the cieling (along with insulation) will keep the bedroom warmer for you little'n as well.

Martin.

[DanH]

My wife had to live above a garage in an extension with 3 external walls once. She got bronchitus because the insulation was so shite. If fuel vapour can get in via the garage I suspect the room isn't going to be too nice in the winter!

[JimNoble]

How about putting an extractor fan in the garage?

You can get some very quiet fans these days that can be left running all the time.

Ought to stop the build up of fumes? Should also help to keep condensation levels in the garage down too...

Jim

[annettej]

Thanks everyone

Am sorting out the o ring and looking to do some mods to the garage. Its also helpful to know it's not just my car!

cheers

Annette

[paulcundy]

Dear Annette,
Seems theres a simple fix to stop petrol vapour coming out the Nobles petrol filler.

But, if petrol vapuor can get into the bedroom, where's the boiler?

Carbon monoxide is a killer but odourless. If the boiler's in the garage as well get the bedroom properly sealed and the garage properly ventilated bfore anyone sleeps there.

Regards
Paul C

[DanH]

Bizarely I'm watching a program about this problem on sky at the moment. US program Holmes on Homes (after american hotrod . If its cold and you are getting fumes then apparently your insulation is poorly installed. They stripped off all the plasterboard, used spray foam to seal, replace the insulation, new plasterboard then 2 coats of plaster. Jobs a goodun.

>> Edited by DanH on Wednesday 21st September 19:52

[LaurenceFrost]

DanH said:

after american hotrod .

(Off topic warning)

I love this program. Still can't believe Bluebear's behavior in the last series. He deserved to get sacked.

[DanH]

He did, but that place is a nightmare to work in. I imagine every car falls appart as it rolls out the workshop because his staff have been working all night to throw it together.

[alex s]

Good show, quite inpressive engine going in the vette, 1000bhp twin turbo, $30000.... how much would that cost here!?!?!?

[AMG Merc]

turnbaugh said:

I put out a post on this about 1 month ago. This seems to be a common problem. On the fuel cap there is an adjusting nut on the bottom. You need to adjust (tighten clockwisw about 1/2 turn) this so there is enough tension on the O-Ring to seal the cap. You will see that the O-Ring gets compressed. It should be fairly difficult to raise the tab to open the cap. Dean

Interesting, mine never smells ( pay attention class, I'm speaking of fuel vapour! )

- whether it is full up or whatever level, no fuel smell at all. So I was surpsied when I went to perform Dean's fix, mentioned above, to find that my cap is very loose fitting (spins around)- how do you fathom that - must have damn good ventilation?!