Gas Exhaust odor after I stop the car

It's been a while since I've driven a carb's car so I forget some things.

But, whenever I park it in the garage, I can smell the exhaust is very strong. I think the car is running a little rich which would contribute to this. I can also smell some gas odor. It's not strong, but it's there. If I come back a 30-40 minutes later, the smell is still there if the garage doors are closed. If I open the door, it goes away pretty quick. Also, I can't hardly notice anything if it's parked outside unless I lean over the engine cover and smell for it.

Is it just the smell of fuel in the carburetor float bowls? The owners manual does say to turn the key, wait 20-seconds for the bowls to fill, then start the car. I thought maybe the smell was the left over gas after running that was evaporating.

I've looked and don't see any fuel leaks, and like I mentioned, if I open the garage door, the smell quickly dissipates and it does not come back.

It could be a fuel hose leak if they've never been replaced. Might not be a bad idea to pull the air cleaner and look around to make sure. And if the fuel hoses are original I'd replace them all.

Regards, JRV

New fuel hoses in 1994, 3000-miles ago.

I'll pull the air cleaner tonight and see what I can find.

Thanks

Stick your nose down by the passenger side air intake. This may help you isolate the source before removing the aircleaner top.

My '78 no longer has the raw fume recovery system (charcol cannister etc..) and the raw tank fumes are plumbed to the bottom of the aircleaner base hence the fumes from the air intake. I must say though that yours sounds like it is more pronounced than mine. Check for cracked vent hoses above the right rear tire where the fuel liquid/fume separator is located (you may have to remove the inner fender to get a good look). Those were the ONLY ones not changed when they did my car.

HTH
DJ

Sean,
Another possibility is the fuel filler hose between the filler neck and the left hand tank. Mine looked good until I gave it a twist and it cracked. I guess that was the 'other' hose they didn't change!

I replaced mine with one from NAPA #1055. The hose is fuel grade and made by Goodyear. Cut to length. Cost about 8.00.

NAPA has some nice high end band clamps that incorporate a bolt and nut assembly in lieu of the worm screw type commonly used on radiators.

Sean,

Fuel smells & leaks are not to be taken lightly imo. Yes it's work and effort to take things apart and insure beyond a doubt they are ok. That's the price of responsibility. The flip side of the coin is a potential fuel fire.

There are only two choices in situations like this imo:

1- take things apart and inspect for definative answers.

2-cross fingers and hope you get lucky that nothing is wrong.

Regards, JRV

If you want to see what a burned 308 looks like go to www.wreckedexotics.com.

So sad to see beautiful cars ruined by one bad leak.
DJ

Well I'm not taking it lightly that's why I asked the question.

I'll dive into it tonight, starting with your first suggestion JRV. Then, onto checking fuel lines, the fume recovery system, and filler neck hoses, etc. until I discover what is causing the smell.

When I find the answer I'll post it here.

Spasso, the first thing we bought before we drove home was a fire extinguisher!

Thanks guys.

I noticed that Sean. You mentioned that 'Murphy' law too. "You'll need it when you don't have it".

Good luck on your search

Sean,
I had a 78 308 GTS and the vapor recovery system had been removed. I too noticed a bit of gas smell from the air intake on the passenger side. Noticeable in my garage as well. All fuel hoses were new, including the fuel filler neck hose.