Discussion
HELP!
I've started smelling petrol in the cabin - quite strong.
Can't smell petrol under the bonnet, in the boot, under the car or anywhere else for that matter.
I'm worried about all the talk of fuel lines etc but I definitely can't smell petrol under the car or bonnet.
Is there anything less critical that it could be?
I've thought about the petrol cap or the seal on the other end of the petrol tank but I can't smell petrol in the boot.
Also, not sure if this would be related but only very recently - maybe over the past 6 months since we had the water pump and radiator replaced i've been able to hear the fuel pump. It primes when you first turn the ignition but it's whining all the time when you're driving. Could this be related? Could it be over-priming the fuel lines and causing this?
Thanks - please help.
We're off to France for 2 weeks in about 10 days and want to get this sorted.
Ben
I've started smelling petrol in the cabin - quite strong.
Can't smell petrol under the bonnet, in the boot, under the car or anywhere else for that matter.
I'm worried about all the talk of fuel lines etc but I definitely can't smell petrol under the car or bonnet.
Is there anything less critical that it could be?
I've thought about the petrol cap or the seal on the other end of the petrol tank but I can't smell petrol in the boot.
Also, not sure if this would be related but only very recently - maybe over the past 6 months since we had the water pump and radiator replaced i've been able to hear the fuel pump. It primes when you first turn the ignition but it's whining all the time when you're driving. Could this be related? Could it be over-priming the fuel lines and causing this?
Thanks - please help.
We're off to France for 2 weeks in about 10 days and want to get this sorted.
Ben
I would check under the bonet at the two fuel pipes on driver side by bulk head, any signs of cracks replace them.
Boot would be worth removing the panel abover the tank where the CD Changer is mounted this give access to the back of the tank to check the connections, also woth checking around the fuel sender as my seal failed making the cabin smell of fuel, as it comes through the two vents above the parcel shelf.
Boot would be worth removing the panel abover the tank where the CD Changer is mounted this give access to the back of the tank to check the connections, also woth checking around the fuel sender as my seal failed making the cabin smell of fuel, as it comes through the two vents above the parcel shelf.
If the fuel pump is continuously running then it infers that it is never able to reach the point where the system is fully pressurised. A leak in the system would cause this.
Do not assume that there is only one leak. If a hose has deteriorated then all hose of a similar age may be deteriorated. Replace all similar hose.
Some leaks may only be apparent when the system is pressurised. So you must check it that way. If you can put anything into the fuel that is coloured (like maybe a fuel additive) this can help you spot it.
Do not assume that there is only one leak. If a hose has deteriorated then all hose of a similar age may be deteriorated. Replace all similar hose.
Some leaks may only be apparent when the system is pressurised. So you must check it that way. If you can put anything into the fuel that is coloured (like maybe a fuel additive) this can help you spot it.
Hi guys - an update.
Been down at the car this morning and have been nosing around.
- No smell of petrol in the cabin now or in the carpets
- Tank is just under half full
- No sign of fuel under the car or on the ground
- No visible or smell-able leak around the petrol cap and fuel pipe over that side
- No visible or smell-able leak around the sender
HOWEVER, on looking down behind the fuel tank over by the sender there s a pipe - perhaps the return pipe to the fuel tank.
It looked a bit perished - like there were cracks in it but when i touch it it seemed to just be colouring. However after touching it my fingers smelt of fuel.
It would seem logical that this, if it leaking, is causing the smell in the cabing via the air vents jut above it.
Been down at the car this morning and have been nosing around.
- No smell of petrol in the cabin now or in the carpets
- Tank is just under half full
- No sign of fuel under the car or on the ground
- No visible or smell-able leak around the petrol cap and fuel pipe over that side
- No visible or smell-able leak around the sender
HOWEVER, on looking down behind the fuel tank over by the sender there s a pipe - perhaps the return pipe to the fuel tank.
It looked a bit perished - like there were cracks in it but when i touch it it seemed to just be colouring. However after touching it my fingers smelt of fuel.
It would seem logical that this, if it leaking, is causing the smell in the cabing via the air vents jut above it.
Exactly where mine sprouted a leak 2 weeks ago, where the fuel line returns to the tank, nice big split where the pipe bends 90 deg to attach to the tank
Fuel line runs down behind the tank , into the offside rear wheel arch and connects to the fuel pipe on the main chassis next to lower wishbone.( just under 1m )
Could only smell fuel with the engine running, I guess as no fuel was being returned down this line with just the pump primed
Fuel line runs down behind the tank , into the offside rear wheel arch and connects to the fuel pipe on the main chassis next to lower wishbone.( just under 1m )
Could only smell fuel with the engine running, I guess as no fuel was being returned down this line with just the pump primed
Agree with Peter here.
The supply and return hoses that appear from behind the right hand rocker cover looked just like new on mine. I kept visually checking them because of posts on here an all looked well, then one of them sprung a leak spraying fuel over the hot manifold. They crack on the inside of the bend and look like new on the outside. Rather easier to change them than have to seek out a new car to replace the one that went up in flames.
The supply and return hoses that appear from behind the right hand rocker cover looked just like new on mine. I kept visually checking them because of posts on here an all looked well, then one of them sprung a leak spraying fuel over the hot manifold. They crack on the inside of the bend and look like new on the outside. Rather easier to change them than have to seek out a new car to replace the one that went up in flames.
Edited by steve-V8s on Monday 13th October 13:55
right - cracked it
it's definitely the return pipe into the tank - i looked at it a sesond ago and it was a nice dry mottled colour - started her up and hey presto - the pipe is now a nice dark colour that smells a little like petrol. That damn AA man hasn't got a clue!
next question - is this something I can do myself or do i have to get a garage to change the pipe?
The problem I have is that we're off to France in 5 days and I don't think i'l get it into the garage in time.
Also, any ideas on a patch up to get me there ok? Someone mentioned PTFE tape?
it's definitely the return pipe into the tank - i looked at it a sesond ago and it was a nice dry mottled colour - started her up and hey presto - the pipe is now a nice dark colour that smells a little like petrol. That damn AA man hasn't got a clue!
next question - is this something I can do myself or do i have to get a garage to change the pipe?
The problem I have is that we're off to France in 5 days and I don't think i'l get it into the garage in time.
Also, any ideas on a patch up to get me there ok? Someone mentioned PTFE tape?
Follow the pipe from the tank it should go through the fiber glass and join a copper pipe some where around the rear suspension mounts to chassis. The return is the easy one and you should beable to do your self, the feed is the hard one to get at. To get to the back of the tank if you undo the top two bolts that hold the tank you should beable to pull the tank forward enough to get behind (may need to take the filler pipe off the tank as well clip tank end and prize off) then just take the section out and replace with a new piece make shure it is high pressure injection hose not std carb pipe all factors keep on the shelf.
bjshipway said:
Also, any ideas on a patch up to get me there ok? Someone mentioned PTFE tape?
Next time somebody suggests that you can tell them to 
right off. 
There is absolutely no prospect of patching it and you are wasting you time trying to replace bits of it since the whole lot is suspect. You need to replace all the hoses (feed, return, vent). You will find you need to drop the exhaust and it will probably take several hours of grovelling round in the muck and filth under the car to do it. The hoses themselves are relatively inexpensive, you could get 100R6 for about £4 per meter or pay half that for cheaper thinner stuff (personally I consider that false economy). Do get new hose clips, trying to reuse rusty old knackered ones is a waste of time.I think this is a job I am going to have to tackle fairly soon as I have no idea when the hoses were last changed on my car (98 Chim 500).
The hoses look OK and I know they have been changed at some time before I got the car. But I have had it 2 years now and the more I hear about these hoses the more I am getting worried about them.
I am away from home at the moment so don't have access to the car or the bible to try to work it out for myself, but can anyone answer the following so I could buy the hose and clips before I start.
What is the hose size/bore? (I am told 8mm bore)
Is the hose the same size throughout? (supply, return and vent to carbon can)
How many rubber sections are there? (to work out how many new hose clips I need)
Approximately how much hose is needed to change everything?
Any idea where to buy stainless steel fuel hose clips from?
The hoses look OK and I know they have been changed at some time before I got the car. But I have had it 2 years now and the more I hear about these hoses the more I am getting worried about them.
I am away from home at the moment so don't have access to the car or the bible to try to work it out for myself, but can anyone answer the following so I could buy the hose and clips before I start.
What is the hose size/bore? (I am told 8mm bore)
Is the hose the same size throughout? (supply, return and vent to carbon can)
How many rubber sections are there? (to work out how many new hose clips I need)
Approximately how much hose is needed to change everything?
Any idea where to buy stainless steel fuel hose clips from?
I get a petrol smell in the cabin but only after filling up the tank and for the first few miles afterwards. Have had the fuel lines in the bonnet replaced as perished and cracking. Can't see fuel under car, in boot carpets or anywhere but will have inspect down back of tank as you have done. I had assumed that it was just the tank venting after filling up - now more worried !
Matt
Matt
Hi everyone,
I've had my Chim for just 6 weeks now (and I'm loving it) and I've also noticed a strong(ish) smell of petrol in the cabin and also the boot space but I think this started when I filled the tank up to nearly full. I think I've seen on other threads about not filling it that much, is there a known issue, or is it all related the possible problem areas listed above. I have quickly checked the hoses mentioned above and cant find a problem, but will check more thoroughly. Any suggestion or advice?
Chris
I've had my Chim for just 6 weeks now (and I'm loving it) and I've also noticed a strong(ish) smell of petrol in the cabin and also the boot space but I think this started when I filled the tank up to nearly full. I think I've seen on other threads about not filling it that much, is there a known issue, or is it all related the possible problem areas listed above. I have quickly checked the hoses mentioned above and cant find a problem, but will check more thoroughly. Any suggestion or advice?
Chris
joncon said:
ARGHHHH....
just started mine up, first time for a view weeks, strong smell of petrol,
checked under the car and it is flowing out, near centre of car.
car is going to be picked up on monday...hopefully.
It's probably the pipe from just above the gearbox to the injector rail. I'm sure you don't need telling NOT start it up again just started mine up, first time for a view weeks, strong smell of petrol,
checked under the car and it is flowing out, near centre of car.
car is going to be picked up on monday...hopefully.
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