Question for the guys in Oz.

I have a constant problem with the smell of fuel inside the cabin of the car. I knew the ends were connected correctly and there were no leaks anywhere end to end. Tank drain plug was fine as is the seal on the cap.

Long story short, I pulled the fuel line out and all along its length it smells of fuel. I know I did not contaminate it when I pulled it out. (I was sure the hose was the culprit so I plugged the ends up and washed my hands before I pulled it out.) I replaced it with a different brand but the smell remains.

I have come across a couple of threads in other forums that note that others have come across the same issue.
http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/aus...8379-permeation-resistant-fuel-line-hose.html

Rang the guy at Performance Wholesale in Brisbane (they are mentioned in the forum noted above) and he knew exactly what my problem was. Said he had the same issue with a car he restored as had others that worked with him. Apparenlty has to do with something that is added to the unleaded fuel. (http://www.performancewholesale.com.au/index.php)

He suggested either running the line under the car, making up a solid line or using a braided hose that had a teflon coating inside. Anyone else have the same issue and if you have resolved it what did you do?

Joe R

Joe,

I owned a VW once in the days of leaded petrol that had the same problem and I never did completely cure it. I replaced all of the flexible fuel line, rebuilt the fuel pump and carby etc. but the smell stayed. The car eventually caught fire one day as I was driving along Coronation Drive though I think that was a problem with the battery as it just sort of smouldered rather than exploding (lucliky).

The only smell in my Fiat when I'm driving is that of fear coming from the passenger seat. But then maybe it's because I run it on imported Russian Vodka - it's cheaper than petrol

Seriously though, it not an uncommon problem and I hope you find the cure, but at present, apart from being a smartarse, I can't help - sorry.

Chris

Always lurking somewhere..... Coro drive is jut around the corner from me, was on said piece of road in the 500 this morning.

Let me know if you will be (lurking) at the nationals next week. I owe you a coffee and a bread roll.

If it annoys me enough and I bite the bullet and run a solid line, I can only think that it has to be run under the car. I would probably protect it somehow (split a heavier rubber hose and run it inside that?). It would be difficult to have it running inside the car as it would need to be bent as it was installed.

Given what I have read since my original post, this is a fairly common issue.

Joe R

Just a few thoughts regarding the fuel smell Fiat 500's - it is pretty normal especially with modern fuels. Fiat originally used a clear plastic hose which was a very good quality and seems to be quite impermeable. The fuel tank is obviously located behind the dashboard and it vents to atmosphere through the fuel cap in the boot so you will smell some fuel- especially in hot weather. I have removed the ashtray on my car and replaced it with an air vent which is great on hot days - to stop the smell of fuel in the car I have vented the fuel tank externally with a tube that runs down and vents out under the car. It seems to work quite well and also prevents fuel from leaking into the boot as the fuel expands in hot weather. Hope this helps

I would agree with Damon that this may be a venting issue with the tank as he describes.
The fuel tank may also be weeping ever so slightly at the bottom of the tank due to rusting. You may wish to pull the tank and inspect unless you know it to be solid.
Could also be a worn or no longer pliable gas cap seal gasket, or a sending unit gasket seal that is leaking vapor.
I am assuming that you have already checked the condition of the flexible fuel line that runs inside the car.
John

I am trying to replace the very old fuel hose that runs from the fuel tank under the hood that then goes in to a hole in the frame. I could use some help on tracing where that line actually goes. I know where it comes out underneath the car, its the section from the tank through the underbelly of the cabin I'm unsure about. And exactly how do i go about running a new hose through a very unaccesible channel? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a 1967 Fiat 500 F. Brandon

Go to this post where this question was asked.
https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/323130-fuel-line.html
John

Thanks for that. Was a bit helpful although some of his heater panels he references are different. Might there be other similar threads? I've looked without luck. Then again, I'm no good at navigating this forum.

Damon,

How did you affix the ventilation tube to the petrol tank? Via the tank itself of the filler cap?

I ask because if it was attached to the tank, wouldn't you still get some vapors and smell emanating from the vent on the filler cap?