Gas smell in garage

Superman · 01-26-06, 09:38 PM

I bought my 76 yesterday, and Im noticing a gasoline smell in the garage. It doesnt really smell like fresh gas like when you are at the pump. More like old greasy gas, like when you visit a mechanic or something. Its not overly powerful, and you dont really notice it after a minute of being in there. I mentioned this somewhere else and they have me worried when I flick on the lights the garage will explode.

I dont see any puddles on the floor. I dont smell it inside the car while driving. Only outside of the car while in the garage after driving it. Is this normal or do I have a serious problem?

68Roadster · 01-26-06, 09:55 PM

Clark,
An inch or so down from the top of this page is a search tab with a down arrow, click on it and then "advanced search". When it comes up put "gas smell" in the keyword block and then select the "C3 Technical " forum for the area to search. You will find some threads in there that relate to gas smell in the garage. Seems like rubber lines and the gasket at the filler neck are the main culprits.
Let us know if you need help.

Superman · 01-26-06, 09:58 PM

Yeah, I decided to do that after I posted.

Im not a mechanic by any means, so I dont know much about cars. I wouldnt know where to begin to look for these things.

68Roadster · 01-26-06, 10:06 PM

Usually there are fuel lines that run alng the right side frame rail from the gas tank in the back all the way up to the fuel pump mounted on the lower right hand side of the engine block. Sometimes the metal line ends and then it is rubber from there to the fuel pump. You could have a leak there. You may also have a leak at the carb and the heat from the intake manifold dissipates it but the smell remains. Check around your carb for brown areas, this could be burnt/hot oil or gas leaking.
The gasket everyone is ref. is between the filler neck and the gas tank and would require removal of the tank most likely to replace. I'm sure after 30 years it isn't in too good of shape.
The best thing you can do is pick up what they call an Assembly Manual from one of the many parts suppliers. These books are invaluable, and cheap, and show the whole car in pretty good detail.

Daryllawman · 01-27-06, 06:44 AM

Hello and welcome to the Corvette Action Center......Congrats on the Vette.......Gotta Love those C-3's.

Superman · 01-27-06, 09:23 AM

OK, great. Thanx guys.

Actually, I have to run to Barnes and Noble later today. Would they carry these books, or will I have to order them online from a Corvette-specific site?

68Roadster · 01-27-06, 01:22 PM

Not sure about Barnes and Noble....
Ecklers, Mid America, Zip, Volunteer Vette, Corvette Central and on and on....

BruceBed · 01-27-06, 01:40 PM

[quote=68Roadster]Usually there are fuel lines that run alng the right side frame rail from the gas tank in the back all the way up to the fuel pump mounted on the lower right hand side of the engine block. Sometimes the metal line ends and then it is rubber from there to the fuel pump. You could have a leak there. You may also have a leak at the carb and the heat from the intake manifold dissipates it but the smell remains. Check around your carb for brown areas, this could be burnt/hot oil or gas leaking.
The gasket everyone is ref. is between the filler neck and the gas tank and would require removal of the tank most likely to replace. I'm sure after 30 years it isn't in too good of shape.
The best thing you can do is pick up what they call an Assembly Manual from one of the many parts suppliers. These books are invaluable, and cheap, and show the whole car in pretty good detail.[/quote

I had the same problem. It was the carbuerator and the fuel tank canaster. I retorked the fitting around the carbuerator (easy fix) and changed the fuel canaster. I don't have the smell anymore. If the canaster hasn't been changed or the fuel lines that run up the rail, then it's a combination of the three. Try the carb fitting first- be careful that you don't over tork it. Then try the canaster.
good luck

68Roadster · 01-27-06, 02:33 PM

Try this.....

http://www.volvette.com/page/VVP/PROD/assemblym/BK0276

16.95 and worth much more in my opinion!

Stingray6974 · 02-13-06, 07:14 PM

Look at the front of the passenger side motor mount. If it looks very clean and dry compared to areas around it you may have a fuel pump going bad. On the back of the pump is a vent hole. When the diaphram goes bad the vent hole will spray gas onto the mount. Also check the two hoses at the pump for cracks or damp/leaking.
Mike

brandywine · 02-14-06, 04:04 PM

Check your carb in addition to all the other advice. It might need to be rebuilt.

wishuwerehere82 · 02-14-06, 11:56 PM

If it does not smell most of the time, you can probably rule out the lines from your tank, filter and the lines to the fuel pump. Since it only smells after it has been running, with pressure in the line from the fuel pump, that is the starting point to look.
Start sniffing around the fuel pump, and the fuel lines running up to the carb, and all the fittings. Look around the carb body for stains or wet marks that would indicate a leak. Also sniff around the Evaporation canister and the vacuum lines that go to it for leaks.

THORIN · 02-16-06, 11:16 AM

My 76 was doing that. It turned out the gas pump was leaking.

bagger · 02-19-06, 03:03 PM

I had the same problem on my 68 after I purchased it. I had a bad fitting on the right side, above the frame rail, behind the right rear wheel. Might check there. Good luck.

Bagger