OK, I need to figure this out

[88FestivaLX]

So I'm driving to work this morning like normal......and I start feeling like I'm gonna pass out because of the horrible gas smell in the car. Its been like this for a little while, just not this bad. Last week I looked under the car. The tank and lines going to the motor are dry, so its somewhere under the hood. I just can't figure out where. With as bad as the smell is I would think it would be noticeable where its coming from. I'm guessing maybe the carb is leaking internally somewhere? Any ideas?

[WmWatt]

Gas, not exhaust?

For gas fumes I'd want to check the hoses on the charcoal cannister.
Not exactly sure how it works but it's supposed to trap evaporated gas fumes
and feed them back into the engine when the car starts up. I've knocked the hoses off when doing something as simple as changing the fuel filtre. I'd find the big round black cannister on the inisde of the driver's side fender and trace the hoses comming out of it to make sure they're all connected.

[kzbill]

The smell won't be as bad as the impending fire!
check while idling under the hood, carb connections, hoses, fuel filter, lines at tank, under floor and connections behind plastic near cutoff switch. Preferably check before the fire starts although it may be easier to find out where it started after.

[geezerstiva]

my 88 does the same thing. if you find out what it is let me know. i think it could be taking away power too.

[88FestivaLX]

Yea, its been running kind of funny too...thats what made me think that there might be a carb related leak

[gdawgs]

The smell won't be as bad as the impending fire!
check while idling under the hood, carb connections, hoses, fuel filter, lines at tank, under floor and connections behind plastic near cutoff switch. Preferably check before the fire starts although it may be easier to find out where it started after.

So true. My 67' Chevy van went up in flames due to a gas leak. I smelled gas on my way to work that morning. I figured I'd fix it when I got home that night. I never made it home.

[88FestivaLX]

Well crap.....I'll let you know if I make it home, ha

The thing is, I've been smelling it for a while.....just haven't been able to find anything. But this morning it was definately worse

[88FestivaLX]

Also, I don't know how I'm getting 44 mpg with gas leaking somewhere?!

[88FestivaLX]

Well, I got home. I turned it off and opened the hood and hear a slight noise coming from the charcoal canister. Its not really loud, but I can hear a noise. Now, what irritates me is that all the hoses are connected and like new. Is this thing under pressure when the car is off? The area where I heard the noise was the small hose coming out of the top on the firewall side.

[88FestivaLX]

Ok, one more thing. Started it up and let run for a minute and turned it back off. Now, air cleaner top off, about every 15 seconds, I hear a hiss/squeak come from down inside the carb....could this be anything?

[kzbill]

you made it home then? thats good.

[donna]

Not sure about the hiss/squeak from carb, but i would think any fumes at that point would be sucked down , I am with the cannister being the culprit as mentioned from others, recheck vacuum to it.

[88FestivaLX]

I looked over it again. Everything looks new and is all tight. I may just go ahead and try to rebuild the carb, even though I've never done one before. The car has 151,000 miles on it so i'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

[donna]

like i wrote, i havent had this problem so i am just guessing, but may can pull the hose off that comes from the gas tank to cannister and check for vacuum at that nipple on the cannister with engine running, i would think that would put to rest that the cannister was clogged if you feel vacuum thru the cannister, also, have you checked the bolts/screws that hold down carb to engine and the screws on top of carb to make sure they are tight..replace gas cap with new one....just throwing out stuff....

[geezerstiva]

hey donna, good to see a fellow tn member! not sure if i've seen you around though. i'm about 25 miles outside memphis.

ps. sorry to hijack thread, please continue. :lol: