Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

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Bill Scholfield
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Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#1 Post by Bill Scholfield »

Hi, I am trying to find the source of the strong fuel smell in the cockpit, particularly noticable after refillin the tank, but can be at other times too. Carb/pump ok, and with a C the fuel cock is under the tank, not in the cabin. Any ideas would be appreciated (Mrs S is going off the car!)

Thanks, Bill

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C J Murray
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#2 Post by C J Murray »

There is a tiny section of fuel hose under the toe boards in the center of the footwell that rots and leaks.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#3 Post by Mike Wilson »

Check the system from the fill up to the short hose in the tunnel CJ referred to. Any leaks your nose will pick up on.

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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#4 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

It's the cork gasket under the sender if it happens after a refuel.
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Wes Bender
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#5 Post by Wes Bender »

Sebastian Gaeta wrote:It's the cork gasket under the sender if it happens after a refuel.
+1
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Charles Foster
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#6 Post by Charles Foster »

Start by checking the seal on your gas cap. With a full tank gas can easily slosh up there during spirited driving.
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Bill Scholfield
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#7 Post by Bill Scholfield »

C J Murray wrote:There is a tiny section of fuel hose under the toe boards in the center of the footwell that rots and leaks.
Thank you all, particularly CJ Murray, the hose was rotten - really made a mess of the sounddeadening material on the floor. Can only get better from here!

Also the green wire is going to be re routed!
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C J Murray
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#8 Post by C J Murray »

Glad to help.

Take a look at the other suggestions as well. Our cars are old and multiple problems are not unusual.
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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#9 Post by Doug McDonnell »

Old hose doesn't like new gas with ETOH. Replace with newer ETOH safe hose and do the same with all hose sections at the same time, including the short piece from petcock to metal tube by front firewall and section of hose behind fan housing which is at times overlooked.
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Mark Sabbann
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#10 Post by Mark Sabbann »

Bill Scholfield wrote:Hi, I am trying to find the source of the strong fuel smell in the cockpit, particularly noticable after refillin the tank, but can be at other times too. Carb/pump ok, and with a C the fuel cock is under the tank, not in the cabin. Any ideas would be appreciated (Mrs S is going off the car!)Thanks, Bill
Looks like you found the problem Bill, but I have had fuel smells in my C coupes in the past, even with good fuel lines and cork tank gaskets in place. A freshly filled tank will release some fumes through the tank vent into the trunk and then get picked up by the fresh air system, especially if spirited driving happens on a full tank. After awhile the fumes go away as the gas level drops. When filling, I am leery about the auto-shutoff of the fuel nozzle. I fill slowly and at the first click off, stop filling. No 'topping off'. Otherwise overfilling may occur, potentially leading to more fuel smell in the cockpit.
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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#11 Post by Doug McDonnell »

Tank vent has a line to RF fender well on T6B and C. Doubt fuel smell would enter fresh air source. Fuel level sender's gasket will cause smell in interior though.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Mark Sabbann
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#12 Post by Mark Sabbann »

Doug McDonnell wrote:Tank vent has a line to RF fender well on T6B and C. Doubt fuel smell would enter fresh air source. Fuel level sender's gasket will cause smell in interior though.
I stand corrected, Thanks Doug! Yes, it doesn't make sense to intentionally vent the fuel tank into the fresh air system.
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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Strong gasoline smell in the cockpit of 356C

#13 Post by Doug McDonnell »

But if the vent line is missing it could happen. Made one for someone missing the vent line.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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