1978 Fuel Odor----Any Advice

[James W.]

Hello Folks,

Here's my situation:

I just completed restoring the engine compartment on my 78 L-82 car, and shortly after getting it all back together, and running it for the first time, I've started to get a fairly strong fuel odor.

I had the carb restored by a local outfit called Carb Junkie. They did a great job! As part of the process I returned everything back to stock with respect to all the engine vacuum and emission lines with new kits from Doc Rebuild, including all the hoses to and from the fuel vapor cannister.

To the best of my knowledge, everything is hooked up as it was when it left St. Louis. I also replaced the filter inside the charcoal cannister, but in doing so, I spilled a small amount of charcoal.

I do not see any obvious fuel leaks on the intake, fuel lines, or under the car. I'm thinking I screwed up, or disturbed the cannister somehow, or the new hoses connected to the cannister are pulling the vapors through...(the old hoses were pretty dry rotted). I'm not really sure. I do know that he car did not have his problem prior to my over-haul. If anyone has any thoughts, I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks in advance, Jim

[Duke W.]

Re: 1978 Fuel Odor----Any Advice

Check the evap line(s) back to the tank... probably a combination of steel pipes and rubber hoses. Check everything from tank to the cannister.

...had a similar problem with my Cosworth Vega. It tuned out to be a rubber hose, at the cowl, that connects the rear pipe from the tank to the front pipe that routes to the cannister.

Shop manual and AIM should have all the details of the pipes and hoses.

Duke

[Tom R.]

Re: 1978 Fuel Odor----Any Advice

Yeah...I would suspect getting a hose cross connected. I know with the Dr Rebuild emission hose connection it includes a schematic but it could be with those hoses to the canister and back to the tank. If you don't have the AIM and need a reference let me know. I can scan and send electronically what you may need.