Gasoline Fumes?
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Gasoline Fumes?
I parked my 51 in the garage for the first time last weekend and it's throwing off a decent amount of gasoline fumes. First, I park the truck outside, so this isn't normally a problem. However, this is not the safest thing in the world, and I do need to park inside occasionally (i.e. leaving it in there when I'm working on it/it's not running). The fumes really appear to be coming more from the engine compartment than from the gas tank cover (as I seem to get a big wiff when I open the hood). Any thoughts on what might be causing this?
My first thought is that it's a weak seal somewhere in the engine compartment.... any ideas on where this might be, or what might be prone to failure/leaking.
My second thought is that it might be the gas cap... it is original I believe, and the seal looks pretty thin. Are there any modern reproductions that seal better than this thing might?
Fuel lines and/or connections?
I am going to do an investigation this weekend to see what I can find, but I thought y'all might have some good ideas on where to look.
Thanks.
My first thought is that it's a weak seal somewhere in the engine compartment.... any ideas on where this might be, or what might be prone to failure/leaking.
My second thought is that it might be the gas cap... it is original I believe, and the seal looks pretty thin. Are there any modern reproductions that seal better than this thing might?
Fuel lines and/or connections?
I am going to do an investigation this weekend to see what I can find, but I thought y'all might have some good ideas on where to look.
Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
I have found that in 80% of these cases, you do not have a vented gas cap and as the tank heats up (after cold nights) fumes will be forced out a crack or bad connection in the filler neck rubber connection hose.
It may also be coming from a poorly sealed sending unit.
In some cases, people will install breather tubes in the tanks on top. I'd check for this. If you have one, plug it and use a vented gas cap. New gas caps are available at any auto parts place as they were used for many years. Nice Chrome locking vented caps are available on e-bay and at all the restoparts places like Dennis Carpenter.
Gas will also tend to seap from the filler neck rubber if it is bad and you overfill the tank.
Check the outlet on the bottom of the tank for leaking where it goes into the tank as well.
Worst case is it has finally rusted out a pinhole on the bottom. I'd replace the cap and the filler neck hose anyway - cheap and quick.
And NO SMOKING please!
It may also be coming from a poorly sealed sending unit.
In some cases, people will install breather tubes in the tanks on top. I'd check for this. If you have one, plug it and use a vented gas cap. New gas caps are available at any auto parts place as they were used for many years. Nice Chrome locking vented caps are available on e-bay and at all the restoparts places like Dennis Carpenter.
Gas will also tend to seap from the filler neck rubber if it is bad and you overfill the tank.
Check the outlet on the bottom of the tank for leaking where it goes into the tank as well.
Worst case is it has finally rusted out a pinhole on the bottom. I'd replace the cap and the filler neck hose anyway - cheap and quick.
And NO SMOKING please!
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 552
From: Kalispell, MT
I parked my 51 in the garage for the first time last weekend and it's throwing off a decent amount of gasoline fumes. First, I park the truck outside, so this isn't normally a problem. However, this is not the safest thing in the world, and I do need to park inside occasionally (i.e. leaving it in there when I'm working on it/it's not running). The fumes really appear to be coming more from the engine compartment than from the gas tank cover (as I seem to get a big wiff when I open the hood). Any thoughts on what might be causing this?
My first thought is that it's a weak seal somewhere in the engine compartment.... any ideas on where this might be, or what might be prone to failure/leaking.
Fuel lines and/or connections?
Thanks.
My first thought is that it's a weak seal somewhere in the engine compartment.... any ideas on where this might be, or what might be prone to failure/leaking.
Fuel lines and/or connections?
Thanks.
You have an open air fuel system thru the carb/aircleaner. You'll get used to the smell.Just make sure your hoses are in good condition and the clamps are tight.
Drips and oil leaks are part of the charm also............
Tim
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 914
Likes: 51
From: SW Missouri
No idea which engine you have but fuel pumps leak as well as the rubber hoses going to them and carbs will leak internal as well as external. If you engine is hard starting if it sits a while I would guess a leaking carb. If you 51 still has the flathead I think they still had a power valve on the bottom of the carb and they were prone to leak.
Good luck and locate the source before something catches fire.
Good luck and locate the source before something catches fire.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 3,122
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
If you have the flat six the common spot of leakage is the hose from the hard fuel line to the fuel pump. If it's leaking a little, doesn't take much to stink a lot, it's kind of hard to visually notice it because the gas will drip on the frame rail and evaporate before it can form a puddle under the truck. If you have a set of reproduction rubber motor mounts the gas will also eat into the rubber puck on the motor mount and turn it to jelly.
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