(T) Cinq petrol leak...

I have a 96 P Cinquecento S, which I have been assured has had a replacement petrol tank after the recall. However, I have noticed a strong smell of petrol inside the car that seems to be coming from a small hole to the lower right hand side of the petrol cap - in the plastic next to the cap itself at about the 5 o'clock position. The hole almost looks like a small drill hole in the plastic. I'm not 100% sure that this is the source of the leak but petrol is certainly coming out of the tank at the cap somewhere. The smell is strongest after a sharp left turn with a half full tank (I can't fill it up completely or the smell is over-powering) when I guess the petrol splashes up to the cap .

Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know the exact reason for the replacement of petrol tanks on recall by Fiat? And could you recommend a better solution than the blob of blu-tac covering the hole at the minute!!

Thanks.

G

i'd use chewing gum [:o]

but i'm sure pete will come up with something better ;)

The fuel tanks were replaced under recall due to rusting, apparently some rotted quite badly at the top half.
About your petrol leak - check that the rubber seal on the cap itself hasn't perished, it's not uncommon.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum BTW!!

Pete.
Cinq sporting 1242cc
http://mysite.freeserve.com/close_to_cracking_up/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cinqs_and_Seis/
http://www.clubcento.co.uk/

I have the same car, a yellow Cinq sporting P reg, and the same small hole and, yes, the same smell. I'm also guzzling petrol like a Range Rover. Help, please. But I never really noticed this problem until after I had the clutch cable replaced. Could the mechanic have nudged something? Could my missing air bleeder pipe from the engine (if it's called that) be the problem instead?

Chances are the same thing has happened as above.

Explore these routes mentioned above first

Hi,
The small hole at the 5 o clock position is the drain hole (for rain water and spilled fuel), so I doubt if thats your problem, I agree with the above, check your fuel cap seal, I had a halfrauds cap on my 900s when bought, but it leaked like f*ck, fiat fuel caps are only about £8 +vat iirc.
If you are sure the cap is good, then I would check out the emission control system, the tank should be kept under a slight vaccum by the engine to prevent fuel vapour escaping, this is controlled by a solenoid on top of the carbon evap can, which is connected via a long pipe to a 3 way safety valve on top of the fuel tank, this valve can sometimes stick, blowing air through will normally cure the problem, but be carefull if you use a high pressure air line as it can blow the pipes off the valve.

Hope I havent funcused you too much

Thanks
Paul T