Fuel smell in garage

[M.Ako]

Hi all,

Anyone else had this problem? I have just bought a 3R and it has quite a strong smell of petrol around the fuel tank. Its been in the same position since Sunday and no signs of any leak on the floor. She who must be obeyed is less than impressed, the smell is getting into the house.

[AMG Merc]

Not an unknown issue. It could be the rubber seal underneath your filler cap. It is adjustable via the locking nut otherwise new ones are a few pounds. They compress over time.

Also check your fuel vent pipe is clear. This runs down, and is next to, next to the main filler pipe.

[M.Ako]

Thanks for the reply, appreciated . I covered up fuel filler cap last night with a large amount of insulation tape with no change in the morning. I think you may be right about the vent, this will be my next step to inspect

[Adrian W]

underneath the car, in front of the nearside rear wheel, there is a vent pipe poking through the floor, the smell can come from this pipe, especially when the tank is full.

it is also worth taking the arch liner off and checking that fuel pump or filter connections aren't weeping, its just self tapping screws and isn't difficult.

Edited by Adrian W on Thursday 5th November 08:55

[M.Ako]

Thanks, I have no vent pipe showing under the car, liner off will be the next job. I'm currently at work so can't see the task, does it requie the wheel off?

[Adrian W]

M.Ako said:

Thanks, I have no vent pipe showing under the car, liner off will be the next job. I'm currently at work so can't see the task, does it requie the wheel off?

It is much easier with the wheel off, but is possible without taking it off, you will need to take of the clam support that is screwed to top rail of the chassis.

If you cant see the pipe I would suggest that someone has pushed it in and it may be venting on to the top of the ally floor panel, if you get you head underneath just in front of the fuel tank you will see the hole.

[M.Ako]

Thanks Adrian, hopefully will get time tonight or tomorrow and will post my findings in case anyone else has this issue

[simonx50]

Give the fuel pipes a squeeze when your down there mine were all perished.

[M.Ako]

simonx50 said:

Give the fuel pipes a squeeze when your down there mine were all perished.

Think you might be right,they don't look to good. I've blocked off the vent hose and sealed the filler cap for the night but not holding out much hope.

[Jcerb]

I had this problem and solved it by changing the braided fuel hoses, the outlet one stank when I had it off and it was breaking up! Plus the car is only on 28k. Change the link hose between the filter and the pump too. I tried all other suggestions with no change. Good luck! Just drain the tank fully and use a bio fuel rated hose. 3m should give you enough http://www.advancedfluidsolutions.co.uk/14mm-id-91...

[hoyin]

If you haven't got a new oil breather that the vent hose is connected to I suggest you change that to a pro alloy one as well.

If you have a standard one it will be all rusty inside by now.

[M.Ako]

No change after sealing vent and cap :-(. Im not set up to drain fuel and replace fuel line so looks like a trip to the garage, not a good start.

[mrpbailey]

Mine has done this for 7 years and counting so far! Luckily my garage isn't attached to my house though

[AMG Merc]

mrpbailey said:

Mine has done this for 7 years and counting so far! Luckily my garage isn't attached to my house though

Funny, reminds me - My garage is the other side to the cloakroom and there's a vent pipe out. I used to get strong vapours into the cloakroom following fill-ups and always wondered what would happen if a visitor lit up a Woodbine in there!

[olliete]

M.Ako said:

No change after sealing vent and cap :-(. Im not set up to drain fuel and replace fuel line so looks like a trip to the garage, not a good start.

I have this too - sometimes also when the engine is on and in traffic.

Is it something that you feel you need to sort or something you want to sort? Seems as though it is quite normal and therefore not urgent (unless there is a leak etc)

[M.Ako]

olliete said:

I have this too - sometimes also when the engine is on and in traffic.

Is it something that you feel you need to sort or something you want to sort? Seems as though it is quite normal and therefore not urgent (unless there is a leak etc)

There is no visible signs of a leak so I could live with it. The problem is that the smell is entering the house and the good lady is less than impressed.

[olliete]

M.Ako said:

There is no visible signs of a leak so I could live with it. The problem is that the smell is entering the house and the good lady is less than impressed.

ahh - enough said!!

[stevegto3]

M.Ako said:

There is no visible signs of a leak so I could live with it. The problem is that the smell is entering the house and the good lady is less than impressed.

Mine has done this for a while. Its been checked out at Bespoke and given the all clear. Porous fuel lines can weep when they got old, so its good to check. Certainly the breather pipe need to be out of the bottom as it could be venting into the sill.

One thing that made a bit of difference is the nut on the back on the fuel cap. If you tighten that up it will give a tighter seal on the neck of the tank.

S

[M.Ako]

stevegto3 said:

Mine has done this for a while. Its been checked out at Bespoke and given the all clear. Porous fuel lines can weep when they got old, so its good to check. Certainly the breather pipe need to be out of the bottom as it could be venting into the sill.

One thing that made a bit of difference is the nut on the back on the fuel cap. If you tighten that up it will give a tighter seal on the neck of the tank.

S

Going to do that now, thanks, will give anything a try.

[AMG Merc]

stevegto3 said:

One thing that made a bit of difference is the nut on the back on the fuel cap. If you tighten that up it will give a tighter seal on the neck of the tank. S

Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't read previous postings