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Gas smell in trunk

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I

ichthos

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I have a 69 TR6. I am getting ready to finally restore my trunk, and I have two problems I can not solve. I need to figure this out before I put the trunk back together. There is a contiual gas smell in the trunk. I can not see a source of leaking fuel anywhere. I looked around the rubber fill tank hose at the top and couldn't find any obvious leaks. What are common sources I should check? Is there a breather vent that exits into the trunk?
Thanks,
Kevin
 
Kevin, the gas tank should never vent into the trunk. Too, look at the sending unit seal. This is a common source for a leak. You will see gasoline stains on the tank, running down the back side.
 
When trying to solve that problem on my Stag, I eventually tried pressurizing the system through the vapor line to the carbon canister up front. Shop air, regulated to 4 psi. With the cap closed, the tank should be absolutely air-tight except for that line.

In my case, it turned out that one of the clamps on the filler hose was loose, and would leak only under pressure from a fill nozzle. Probably won't apply to your TR6, though.

Even after fixing the leak, it took a long time for the smell to go away; apparently there was liquid fuel trapped between the tank & the body that took a long time to evaporate.
 
Kevin- See Dale's post on "What is This?" Might be the same
 
Other than the vent, which may not be the problem, there are three other main sources in aging TRs: a) pin hole leaks that you won't even see unless you pull the tank; b) leaking at the rubber filler neck; and c) leaking at the gas gauge sensor gasket. I suppose you'd better check the fittings where the gas line connects as well.

I pulled my tank and replaced it, as well as the other items mentioned. I just didn't want that constant issue.

Good luck narrowing it all down.
 
Kevin-

Pretty much there are three openings in the gas tank
that might fill your trunk with fumes. All on top of
the tank. The bottom outlet would leak gas and you would
notice this.

Here are some photos that might help.

gastank1.jpg


whatisthis2.jpg
 
I had a gas smell too and found a nipple comming off the filler neck toward the front of the car, I ran a hose and routed it through the trunk floor and no problem since, I have a 71 TR6
 
Hondo,

I bought fuel hose this afternoon to take fumes directly down
from the tank top outlet, thru the hole and exhaust outside
the trunk by the shock.

But then, my entire house now reeks of gasoline....
except the trunk smells pretty good compared.

just kidding Paul- I now have approved, vented CONTAINERS
of gasoline sitting all over the place. I'm thinking about
dropping them off at the power company generator as a
donation.

d
 
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