Hi All. Next problem!!! (never ends, does it?)

I have a strong fuel smell coming from the rear of my 73. The smell is very mild while the car is sitting and you smell near the gas cap and definitely coming from the rear of the car. I've already replaced everything in the front (vapor canister, etc.) and it's clean up front. The smell of gas is from the rear. After running the car, the smell gets really strong. I've taken out the spare tire stuff to look for any leaks and there aren't any. But, the whole rear of the car smells badly after running. I've read about some owners just changing the gas cap, but why would the smell get overpowering when the car is running vs. just sitting? So, the next thing I read about is the Vapor Separator. It's connected to the tank and supposed to "Plastic fuel vapor separator mounting on LH side of gas tank. Connects with 2 hoses to fuel vapor return and gas tank. Plastic connections are commonly broken, causing fuel vapor issues." This sounds like me! Anyone else go through this repair? Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

 

Your right, the vapor separator allows gas vapors to escape the tank (and be absorbed by the charcoal canister) but does not allow raw gas to do the same. There are two rubber lines that connect to the vapor separator, one in and one out. Check those rubber lines for cracks.
Is the gasket on your sealed gas cap good?
There is one more rubber line on the right side of the tank, check that too.
If all thats good follow the hard line on the right side and look where the line goes into the frame, it can chafe there.
Could also be the gasket between the filler and the tank, it could be deteriorating.

 

Thanks PG! I inspected all the hoses and they all seem to be fine. I'm going to pick up a new cap to see what happens. I like starting with the easiest fix first! If that doesn't do it, I'll climb under while it's running to see if the odor is coming from the valve side first. Should be fun!

 

I have a 69 that is giving me gas fumes when running. Most of the fumes are being smelled in the interior, I do not see any leaks. Does the 69 have a canister and a vapor separator? The gas tank had been replaced a few years ago. Where else should I look?

 

I'm 99% sure mine is the vapor separator now. I inspected all the hoses and no leaks. I dropped out the spare tire stuff and all of my astro vents in the back. No leaks anywhere. When running, the strong odor comes from my driver's side rear deck vent and that's right where the separator is. So, I'm replacing it ($50). It's a completely 'blind' repair so it should be a fun one.
I think the 72 or 73 was the first year of the closed fuel system. I think the fuel separator is for 70+.
I'll let you know how the repair goes and if it makes a difference.

 

Hi MikeC3. I dont know how much difference there is between your 73 and my 78 but I had strong odors and found the rubber hoses from the steel lines to the tank were in bad shape. I replaced all of the rubber in my fuel system and dont have any problems with it now.

 

Mike,
Sounds like you are leaking gas somewhere.
I had a leaky carb and the fumes would work their way back inside.
Look around your manifold for little spots of gas.
It evaporates pretty fast on the hot surface so it's hard to find.
Only take a few drop to give off a big smell.
Also chech you gas cap.
Once the seal on the cap starts to go the vapors can leak out.

Good luck,

Schoon

 

Might get an AIM for your year. If your gas cap is vented, then you probably don't have an evap. emission control system.

 

It was the vapor separator. At the top of the tank on the driver's side, the vapor separator was cracked and the source of the fumes coming from the rear of the car. Once it was replaced, no more fuel odors!