DaddyO

Gas cap is on tight, the car has not been used for 3 days, there is no fuel leak. Why does my garage reek like gas? Any thoughts where I should check?

stingraymax

Start the car and then check for fuel leaks.
I have a leak in my fuel line at the rear and the fuel only starts comming out when I start it up en pressure is being build up in the lines.

DaddyO

You think I would smell fuel with the car off from that?

Jvette73

Its common for the vapor return lines to rot and crack. Im talkin about the ones that connect to the upper part of the tank. If you look above the mufflers you should be able to see them. There may also be a plastic seperator valve that can get cracked. Since these are vapor lines they can leak plenty of gas fumes without actually leaking liquid gas. I found a broken vapor line on mine and solved much of the gas fume problem. Even with all the lines intact and not leaking there is still likely to be some gas fume smell with a carburated car. The gas is just sittin there in the fuel bowl. Eventually it will evaporate into fumes. No real way to prevent this. But definatly check the vapor return lines. :yesnod:

76Frankenstein

My return line was leaking at the tank - it would leak while the car was on and puddle at the pickup assy and the center seam "lip" on the tank, so it would reek until it evaporated. Drove me nuts until the leak got bad enough to leak out to where I could see it.

houstoncajun

i had a line leaking right on top of the frame rail from rusty lines couldnt find it until i felt it with my hand one day

Ice_Fire

I had this issue a few months ago. It was my fuel line leaking slowly.
Check in front of your right rear tire along the frame at the wheel well. The fuel lines run along the frame and then turn at the wheel well. In this area the lines have a tendance to rust as it is a small inclosure where dirt and water builds up and the line begin to rot a way. Reach up in the corner and see if you can feel the line and if there is any fuel present. :thumbs:

ATHANASE

Part of the pollution control system
in '71 was to vent the fuel vapors from the tank to the carbon-charcoal
canister located inside the left front wheel area.
You probably need to change the pad at the bottom of it.

I have had the very same problem a few months ago. This was the cause.

theandies

:iagree: I just cured my gas smell problem. It was a combination of the vapor return lines rotted and a small pinhole leak in my tank. I replaced the tank and lines now I have no gas smell at all.....not even a little. :thumbs:

DaddyO

These are all great suggestions! I'll get on this ASAP!

THANKS!!!!

bertmeister

I had a fuel pump leak. Smelled gas for about a week. Checked under the car several times and found nothing leaking. Did notice some stains on the fuel pump but no active leak. Next day found a puddle under the fuel pump. Apparently the diaphragm had a small leak and then got bigger. Something to look for. :cheers: