The Ford Barn

leadpot · 08-03-2015, 06:50 PM

Have had my 29 tudor for 4 years & have always had a problem with smelling gas. Sometimes while driving especially around town & it always after pulling into the garage when parked. The Mrs wasn't happy about it either, would leave the door open for a while until it dissipated. Would get some dripping out of the carb when shutting off hot, shutting off the fuel & let the engine die did not make any difference. Fuel gauge was never wet but was discolored like it has had some leakage it the past. Removed gauge cleaned everything, new gaskets etc, no difference. Just thought this was just the way it is & lived with it.
Was looking at my gas cap the other day, it had a thin rubber gasket inside & the cap seemed to screw all the way down. Replaced the rubber gasket with a new thicker cork gasket and made no difference. Put a second cork gasket in on top the first, tightened down and the smell was gone almost instantly. Now there is no more smell even after pulling into the garage, don't even have to shut off the fuel tank & let the engine run dry. Wow, have been out several times now and what a much more pleasant driving experience. Don't know if the cap is original or not but does appear old as some of the plating is worn thin. Live & learn

Chuck Sea/Tac · 08-04-2015, 01:33 AM

You should still run the carb dry, or at least shut the gas off. Because one day----- you're going to have a nasty surprise!

monto · 08-04-2015, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Sea/Tac

You should still run the carb dry, or at least shut the gas off. Because one day----- you're going to have a nasty surprise!

Ditto. Had same experience with rubber gasket on my '31. Changed to felt gasket; pressurizing continued with gas smell. With no gasket, no smell. Small vent hole probably restricted. Ordered replacement......
Do not allow your tank to pressurize.

Redbird · 08-04-2015, 06:37 AM

I soaked my gas cap in Evaporust and then blew the two holes out. The cap is vented.

mshmodela · 08-04-2015, 07:15 AM

It seems to be that has been said a few times here, is that the fuel/cowl tank cannot be sealed completely from air --since gravity will be over taken by the air pressure (some would call it a vacuum). Air has to come from the cap... I would think that means all Model A tanks at the top you'd smell some gas vapors.. Unless I'm missing something here which is possible...

Mitch//pa · 08-04-2015, 08:26 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

any car with a vented gas cap releases vapors..
maybe we can install an EVAP closed system like a modern car.... which will pressurize the tank and system for leaks...

08-03-2015, 06:50 PM	#1
leadpot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Blanchester, Ohio Posts: 109	Gas smell problem solved! Have had my 29 tudor for 4 years & have always had a problem with smelling gas. Sometimes while driving especially around town & it always after pulling into the garage when parked. The Mrs wasn't happy about it either, would leave the door open for a while until it dissipated. Would get some dripping out of the carb when shutting off hot, shutting off the fuel & let the engine die did not make any difference. Fuel gauge was never wet but was discolored like it has had some leakage it the past. Removed gauge cleaned everything, new gaskets etc, no difference. Just thought this was just the way it is & lived with it. Was looking at my gas cap the other day, it had a thin rubber gasket inside & the cap seemed to screw all the way down. Replaced the rubber gasket with a new thicker cork gasket and made no difference. Put a second cork gasket in on top the first, tightened down and the smell was gone almost instantly. Now there is no more smell even after pulling into the garage, don't even have to shut off the fuel tank & let the engine run dry. Wow, have been out several times now and what a much more pleasant driving experience. Don't know if the cap is original or not but does appear old as some of the plating is worn thin. Live & learn

08-04-2015, 01:33 AM	#2
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Gas smell problem solved! You should still run the carb dry, or at least shut the gas off. Because one day----- you're going to have a nasty surprise!

08-04-2015, 06:37 AM	#4
Redbird Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 535	Re: Gas smell problem solved! I soaked my gas cap in Evaporust and then blew the two holes out. The cap is vented.

08-04-2015, 07:15 AM	#5
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: Gas smell problem solved! It seems to be that has been said a few times here, is that the fuel/cowl tank cannot be sealed completely from air --since gravity will be over taken by the air pressure (some would call it a vacuum). Air has to come from the cap... I would think that means all Model A tanks at the top you'd smell some gas vapors.. Unless I'm missing something here which is possible... __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio Last edited by mshmodela; 08-04-2015 at 08:34 AM.

08-04-2015, 08:26 AM	#6
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Gas smell problem solved! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) any car with a vented gas cap releases vapors.. maybe we can install an EVAP closed system like a modern car.... which will pressurize the tank and system for leaks... Last edited by Mitch//pa; 08-04-2015 at 09:14 AM.