Section : Fuel and Additives

Smell of fuel

Posted By : Michael Cook, 30-Sep-2003, 11:01am

There is a strong smell of fuel in the garage but no obvious visible leaks and no drips on the floor. Any ideas?

Thanks for any help.

Mike
(On behalf of a fellow TSSC member who has a MkIV Spitfire)

Followups :

Smell of fuel

Posted By : Ian Osprey, 30-Sep-2003, 04:54pm

Hi Mike,
Firstly let me say I've no direct experience of this, but I have read that there is at least one stubby metal tube which comes out the top of the tank. This is capped by a vent plug of rubber. As these get old and age, they perish and crack allowing fumes to escape.
I would expect there to be a strong smell in the car too. Unless you only drive with the top down.
Smell of fuel

Posted By : Philip Brammer, 30-Sep-2003, 07:59pm

Hi Mike, had a similar problem with my 1500. I changed the rubber seal on the filler cap as the old one was clearly perished, checked the vent pipe from the tank was sealed completely (the filler cap has a vent in it) and checked all the pies for obvious leaks. I seem to only have cured it however by changing the old waxstat jets to none waxstat types. Idles one hellovalot better too!!
Worth checking.
- Smell of fuel
  
  Posted By : Michael Cook, 01-Oct-2003, 12:19pm
  
  Thanks to Ian and Philip for ideas - these to be investigated asap.
  
  Interestingly, the idle is also uneven at present... maybe two birds can be killed with one stone!
  
  Regards
  
  Mike