Petrol fumes

[DaveW]

Since the weather has got colder I've become aware of fumes in the boot. Seems to be from the flexible hose between filler and tank. New silicone hose. Jubilee clips all good and tightened. Anybody had a similar problem? Thank you.

[myoldjalopy]

Are you sure the fumes are coming from the flexible hose? It could be the seal in the petrol cap is past it and allowing fuel to escape and dribble down the filler pipe. Or the petrol gauge sender unit gasket is leaking. Search this forum for other posts on fumes in the boot - plenty of discussion on the subject over the years.

[panky]

A lot of silicon hoses are only petrol resistant and if exposed to liquid they will sweat. I had a similar issue on my Commer camper and a new fuel proof hose cured it.

[DaveW]

Thanks for replies. I am pretty sure it's from the flexible hose although I've ordered a new sender gasket this morning anyway. I'm a bit unclear about comment on Silicon hose. I've ordered a new one of those as well. I assumed they were the best type to have. What is a petrol proof hose please?

[panky]

What it says on the tin, it won't be affected by petrol to the point it weeps. If your hose was sold as petrol proof then I would ask for a refund. I was quite annoyed when the silicon one leaked fumes as it wasn't cheap so I bought a conventional reinforced rubber one instead, no more fumes so we'll see how long it lasts.

[DaveW]

Thanks for comments. I've now ordered a rubber hose as well and will try that.

[geoberni]

It seems odd that you're noticing fumes more as the weather has tuned colder.

The Flash Point of Petrol is about -40C, so above that it is evaporating, but the warmer it is, the more fumes.

I'm more inclined to think it's actual leakage/weeping somewhere; perhaps the tank overfilled and fuel sitting in the Filler Hose, or as others have said, the filler cap or tank sender gasket.

[DaveW]

Thanks again all. Fyi having got wooden floor out and stuck my head in there properly it is definitely coming from the filler hose and not the sender unit.
I received the new Silicon one from ESM today( prompt as ever) but they haven't got rubber ones in stock at mo. Got to decide whether to wait or fit what I've got for now.

[myoldjalopy]

You might as well fit it and find out while you are waiting - doesn't take long....

[rocco]

I have had the same problem. Strong smell after filling up at the petrol station so as suggested, it is either the hose or sender unit cover gasket. I've bought both new and may finally get to fit them this coming weekend.

[DaveW]

Still wittering!
The new Silicone hose has made no difference. It's obviously not had fuel passing through it as I only put it on yesterday. I can only assume the fumes are seeping out of the ends. What are thoughts about a little gasket sealant around the filler pipe and tank neck?
Been looking for local source for a fuel proof hose. Can you still get "proper" rubber hoses any more?

[rocco]

I've not had a look under mine yet but one must assume that the fumes can only leak from the holes in the tank. If you've thoroughly covered the two areas above then it might be time to look below. It looks like there might be a drain bolt under them.

[svenedin]

In all the time I have had my Morris (35 years) it has persistently had a smell of petrol in the boot.
Over the years, I have had a new petrol tank, changed the filler hose (rubber and silicone), changed the sender gasket (and the sender as well when that failed), replaced the gasket in the filler cap. Nothing has remedied the smell except the new tank did improve things as the old one had pinholes.

I have on hand, but have yet not fitted an alternative neoprene sender gasket but other than that I am out of ideas.

As the filler cap has a vent hole there will always be a slight smell of petrol around there but I can't explain why I am unable to sort out the main problem.

Stephen

[DaveW]

Thanks again all. Now had a really really close crawl all round and under, with a mate. We can find absolutely nothing amiss. Everything looks in good order and no sign of actual leaks anywhere. Still a slight odour if I sniff right up against the ( new) filler hose. We concluded that it's probably always been like this and I've only noticed it recently because I've been generally tinkering to get to know the car.
I am going to drain the small amount of fuel now in the tank, rather than brim it, for the next couple of months while not wanting to use the car. I might get a new tank in the spring as part of plans to generally to get the old girl as good as I can. Again, thanks all. Appreciate the comments posted.

[rocco]

I would have thought it would be better to leave a full tank of fuel over winter, to prevent rusting. It's what I do with my motorbikes anyway.