Strong Smell of Gas

[Stuart F.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

How right you are, Harry. Add to that is the fact that I have a ceiling fan going in the garage full time. The normal flow of air is to the sides of the garage - right to/by the entry door from the house. When we go out to jump in our Impala - bam, it hits you right in the face. Wife likes it a lot (not!), and says to do something about it asap. When I go out before her I open both garage doors to vent the smell as much as possible before she comes out.

Just as a side note; today I went out to change/clean my air filter on my Impala. The other day I had my oil on the Impala changed at "Tuffy" and the dude comes into the waiting room and shows me a really dirty air filter and says it's mine and needs to be changed. I said no because I thought I had a K&N at home to replace it with (I thought I may have been using my original and planned to put my K&N back in later, who can remember that long). Turns out my K&N was still in the car. Sure, it needed to be cleaned and re-oiled, but what he tried to do was trick me with another dirty filter to sell me then probably steal my K&N ($65.00 filter). No, can't fool the old man that easy. Now they just lost a customer for good. I was going to have them change my plugs and wires, but not any more! I did get a labor quote though - 0.9 hours. Not bad. It would take me about 9.0 hours.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Bill;

Thanks. I will order the parts today along with both fuel hosesust to be ready for each contingency.

Stu Fox

[Tim T.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Stu,
The machine screws with O ring gaskets can still be ordered through your Chevy dealer for a couple bucks, get some new ones.
Had this problem with my '63 last year.
Tim

[Stuart F.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Thanks Tim. I'll stop by my local Chevy dealer tomorrow and check it out. You don't have a p/no. on them, do you?

Stu Fox

[Daniel S.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Luckily, in my part of Missouri our premium is still ethanol free. At least for now.

You may be aware but Missouri does not require gas pumps to be labeled when ethanol is added.

http://www.fuel-testers.com/missouri_ethanol_news_e10.html

Oh and Go Cards!!

[Tim T.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Stu,
P/N 3767804 a bag of 10 for $14.90.
Allows you to lose 1 and still have enough!
Used Permatex Hylomar gasket sealant ( gas resistant) - local auto parts store (Pep Boys) and a new cork gasket from Corvette Central.
Yes, the sealing surface of the neck may be distorted and this will seal it.
Tim

[Dick G.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Stu, over the years I have had two gas leaks on my 65. The first was at the fuel sender. The nuts holding the contacts had vibrated loose, and backed off just enough to cause one or two drips evey hours or so. The second leak was the fuel pump. The screws holding the bottom half to the top half had backed off every so slightly. The sending unit leak was a leak and stopped once I tightened the nuts. The fuel pump leak was intermitent and became more pronouced with a full tank. I tightened the screws on the pump while on the car, but eventually I ended up replacing it. I've used Ethel for years and have not had any trouble yet, but maybe I have the right rubber as most have been replaced at some point. The guys are right about one drop of gas smelling like you spilled 5 galons, it stings and my wife the house was ready to go. lol

[Stuart F.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Tim and Dick;

Thanks for the additional information. I will attack the neck first because that is where I get a strong smell right away when I open the fuel door. I changed the cap to one of my others and it made no difference over night.

I already picked up the gasket and screws from Eckler's (close by), as well as both the rear and front hose kits for just in case I need them now or in the near future.

My local Chevy dealer could find no p/no on the screws, but now that you sent the number I may check with him again next time there if for no other reason than to show him how to use his computer. Also, GMPartsdirect has discontinued all there fuel parts for 63's, but one which I don't need.

Thanks again to all that posted and put me on the right track (I believe).

Stu Fox

[Ronald W.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Don't forget to check the gasket on the gas cap. That is what was causing the gas smell on my 66

[Stuart F.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Ron;

Thanks for your post. I have tried each of my caps and there is no difference. I have my original 63 cap with the one small vent hole, a new replacement with the two way valve, as well as a locking cap which also has just a small vent hole. One thing I always do when I run into a problem is try the easy stuff first, so I did the sniff, look and feel tests right away. But as you know, nothing is ever that easy - least wise not for me.

My parts will all be here today so we can tackle it over the week end. Supposed to be nice and cool.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Tim (Tim Tschantz - 51111);

I tried to send you a PM about the Permatex Hylomar you referred to in your post, but the NCRS TDB don't know who you are(?). At any rate, I can't find that material at my local auto parts store so I picked the only one that said it was gas resistant. Hope it works well if I need it.

Stu Fox

[Jack H.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Tim (Tim Tschantz - 51111);

I tried to send you a PM about the Permatex Hylomar you referred to in your post, but the NCRS TDB don't know who you are(?). At any rate, I can't find that material at my local auto parts store so I picked the only one that said it was gas resistant. Hope it works well if I need it.

Stu Fox

http://www.permatex.com/products/automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_sealants/auto_Permatex_Hylomar_Universal_Blue_Racing_Formula_Gasket_Dressing_Flange_Sealant.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-85249.../dp/B0018PSATY

[Jack H.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

You may be aware but Missouri does not require gas pumps to be labeled when ethanol is added.

http://www.fuel-testers.com/missouri_ethanol_news_e10.html

Oh and Go Cards!!

Our pumps state no ethanol in premium. You're right about regular.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

Jack;

Thanks for the links in your post. At least now I know what I'm looking for. Was out checking yesterday at some of our local speed shops and no one had it, and they checked around town for me without success.

Guess I may have to order it.

Thanks again.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: Strong Smell of Gas

After some consternation, I came to the conclusion that the Permatex Hylomar might be just a bit of overkill for my requirement. The fuel tank filler neck flange does not see any great pressure or vacuum, and any leakage that exists there now is more due to the age of the original cork gasket (drying out), or the screw O-Rings deteriorating. The leak is just an annoyance (smell) and probably would not have shown up if it weren't for the Ethanol. Add to this the price and availability of the Hylomar and I think I can get by with their # 80008 1B "Form-A Gasket" which is Gas, Fuel, Water, and Chemical resistant. It is readily available and seems to meet all the requirements.

Thanks to all for your help. If I experience anything unusual on this little project I will let you know. Like; I had a nightmare that all the 9 screws were rusted in place and I had to extract them over an open tank full of gas!

Stu Fox