Should I be able to smell fuel when i open the boot, I was removing the battery to charge it yesterday and can smell petrol.

thanks, are the tanks easy to get to to check? I know one is alloy as I have a receipt for it, dont think its both though

thanks, are the tanks easy to get to to ?

'fraid not...hopefully it will be the LH tank that's alloy, as the RH cam be removed ( I saw somewhere on here) without taking out the engine.

Couple of pics on my blog showing a leaking bottom of the tank. Wouldn't have known without taking it out, needs a really close inspection.. Had fuel in it for the last 3 months after a run up check, and there was no smell of fuel from the engine bay when I started taking the tanks out.

Definitely worth the fuel line check first. Good luck

Dave

Could also be the tank vent pipes....they run across the body just behind the carpet over the top of the rear window to the cabin. The pipes rot away....

I've noticed a feint petrol odour in the boot and around each of the filler cap covers outside when the boot is closed. Is this just normal venting (very warm in the UK at the moment)?

 

If a tank was leaking would it be VERY noticeable?

I also have a fuel smell in mine when hot - seems a common theme

 

Gerald did a pressure test last time it was in for a service and said it wasn't leaking anywhere, and it is just one of those things.

 

My garage is attached to my house, and the door between the two isn't sealed very well, so the whole house can stink for a fair while unless I let the car cool down outside, or keep the garage doors open to let the heat/fumes disperse.

 

When the car is cold, there is no fuel smell.

ok thats interesting I live in the south of Spain and its been 35 degrees or so this week, 

Hi Laurie.....I'm not answering your query but have you posted up any pics of your car yet as I'm struggling to find anything? Any chance of a photo or two?

ill put some in the Espirt pics thread

Could also be the tank vent pipes....they run across the body just behind the carpet over the top of the rear window to the cabin. The pipes rot away....

yes indeed mine have, and I can smell petrol so really hope thats what it is

I've noticed a feint petrol odour in the boot and around each of the filler cap covers outside when the boot is closed. Is this just normal venting (very warm in the UK at the moment)?

 

If a tank was leaking would it be VERY noticeable?

yes because at some point you will have a big fire behind you!

Fuel smells on these cars should be taken very seriously, ie dont drive the car until fixed. As Molemot said, most likely vent pipes, remove the engine bay side filler panels to check. The only place the tanks are open to air is right down under the car where the vent pipe ends and so any smell in the area of the filler caps is a leak.

 

On the Turbo they used pretty good quality braided hose except for the return hose from the pressure regulator which was crappy quality rubber. Then again, the trouble with braided hose is you cant check how bad the material is under the braiding.

Luckily (?) I found today that the vent pipe behind the RH carpet panel is split so I guess that's where the smell is coming from. Needless to say I will be renewing all the fuel hoses!

 

Hopefully this indicates it's not leaky tanks but from what I've read these are easier to remove on the N/A than on the Turbo so worst case scenario isn't too bad...

Bear in mind that the right hand ear is air inlet, so you may smell fuel there if you sniff.... 

Edited July 26, 201410 yr by 910Esprit