Fuel smell

[jtugfestiva]

Been having a really bad fuel smell. Checked all fuel lines and crawled under car for leaks and can't find anything. I was looking for the spout to the gas tank but couldnt find it. Does anyone know which fuel hose/line goes bad on these festys?

[bravekozak]

Remove the access plates to the fuel pump and the separator, under the rear seat. See if there are any problems with the hoses. I don't have to worry about my separator leaking any more. Good luck.

[bhazard]

So its okay to get rid of that doodad and all those hoses?

[muleskinner]

The small hose (seperator) next to the filler hose had a rip hole in mine. Every time I filled up I would smell gas until the tank emptied about half way. You need to remove the plate that covers the filler hose area on the drivers side to get to it. I just replaced the hose with another one. Fill your tank with gas, you will be able to find the gas leak easier. Its not really a leak, the gas fumes choke you out of the car. You will see some wetness though, if that is your problem.

[Bert]

The physical gasket on my EFI tank lid was problematic for years because of surface metal corrosion. I finally resorted to solvent-resistant silicone to help seal that rubber gasket. In my case the smell of fuel in the car was most noticeable when the tank was full; sloshing around it would seep around the gasket. Getting at the gas tank lid is simple if you slit the carpet under the back seat so as to be able to access the cover plate and then the lid.

[WmWatt]

You can get a fuel smell if a hose to the charcoal cannister under the hood comes off.
It's easy to dislodge if you've been working under the hood, especially changing the fuel filtre
but I don't know if that is limited to the early carburetted models.
It's not a really bad smell, so may not be what you have.

[bravekozak]

So its okay to get rid of that doodad and all those hoses?

Only if you change to a vented gas cap! I removed the spring from this one I found at the junkyard.