Petrol Smell (Boot)

[Deleted]

Every time I open the boot there is a strong smell of petrol. This is noticeable if car is left for some time (say a week) . Is this likely to be the rubber hoses (47years old) or could it be the petrol pump.
I am a little concerned since I'm sure a spark might see the demise of me and the car. When the car is running there is no sign of petrol leakeage. I have opened boot and pulled back the padding and everything seems dry.
Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Tony

[Phil Nottingham]

You should check the condition of all the vent pipes and rubber couplings also the filler neck rubber.

Its not unkown for the seams on the tank to fail and these cannot be repaired successfully.

Check the pipe joints on the pump and also all the diaphtagm screws as these become loose as the rubber shrinks

[Deleted]

Phil,

I had a problem with a gas smell. I found that my pump was leaking. After I fixed the pump, I found that my tank had a very small leak directly above a seam at the bottom of the tank. Over the course of a day, I get a slight wetting of gas. A drip will form after five days.


What is your suggestion to repair a leak near a seam? If it cannot be repaired successfully, what is the best way to proceed?

Thanks,

[johnbirmingham]

There is a liquid resin product specifically for this purpose called "Petseal".It's widely used by the vintage motorcycle folk for whom tank leaks are common.The problem is that you would need to get the tank out in order to roll it around with the resin in so as to coat the inside properly.Apart from the old bike press I think i've seen it advertised in Practical Classics. John.

[RichardF]

Frosts also do a similar liquid seal to repair fuel tanks; about £44.

www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8223&frostProductName=Car%20Tank%20Repair%20Kit

RichardF
Southampton

[Phil Nottingham]

I have heard both good and bad reports of these slosh sealants - the bad being the stuff starts flaking off after a time and blocking filters and jets!

If you can get hold of a better tank which in the UK is easy then I would go for this option

[Deleted]

I would certainly recommend obtaining a better fuel tank.
It is possible to patch repair fuel tanks but it is a specialist job best left to professionals.
I have heard that radiator repair specialists have the necessary skills and knowledge to repair fuel tanks.

Adrian

[dorsetflyer]

There is a specialist Putty on the market which will repair leaks in fuel tanks and radiators. It consists of a dark and light plasticene like material, and all you do is break off two identical size lumps and knead them in the palm of your hands till they become a light grey in colour. The warmth of your hands helps in the mixing process. Press it firmly over the area and within an hour it sets hard, though it's best to leave it for twenty four hours to harden right through.
Once set, if you have to remove it you will need a sharp cold chisel and hammer it sets that hard.
It's available at most accessory stores, and if I can find it I will post the name of it.

I have used this in the past, and have been very satisified with the result.

I have checked mine in the garage and it's 'Hermetite Fuel Tank Repair Kit', approx £4. It's petrol, acid and water resistant.

[Deleted]

Thanks folks for all your advice.
Tony

[stantondavies]

Any epoxy putty should do the job PROVIDING the area is scrupulously clean and dry and not too smooth a surface so as to aid adhesion.

[Ken Nelson]

A product called SealAll is available in the states that can be applied to the outside of the tank over a small leak (even with gas in the tank) that can dry and seal the leak. I drove a '67 Dodge for about 5 years successfully with one application to a pinhole leak. Nice car with a 383 engine, but got about the same mileage as a P5 I'm afraid. Ken

[Phil Nottingham]

If it is in fact a seam that has gone - it may very very difficult to find the actual spot as the petrol very easily travels along between the two flat seams - it only takes a very small amount to cause fumes and highly inflammable at that! In the enclosed unventilated boot space with sparky petrol pump points it does need sorting quickly

[stantondavies]

Absolutely Phil. About fifteen years ago a member had the misfortune of his car exploding into a huge fireball whilst he and his wife were travelling in it. The rear end of his concours 3litre was completely wrecked and they were lucky to escape without serious injury.
V8s don't suffer the same risk with a mechanical pump.

[Phil Nottingham]

Actually it was this that reminded me of the dangers - it was reported in Practical Classics!

After that I put line fuses in the pump supplies under the driver kick panel as it was apparently caused by the pump wiring (which is that fabric covered stuff on 3 litres) shorting out and catching fire

Apparently the car had just undergone a major restoration but was low mileage

[Deleted]

I have now obtained an electronic pump to replace my electric model to eliminate sparks and future problems.
There are two bolts holding the pump to the bracket (boot of car) and they have small holes in them at the nut end where a strand of copper wire links the two bolts. Unfortunately, the copper wire has broken. I am attempting to replace this with 8amp copper wire.
I am unsure as to the purpose of this wire which is in fact thicker than the 8amp. Is this an earth wire? Or is it to stop the bolts turning? Am I causing any problems by replacing with 8amp? My parts catalogue doesn't show this wire.
I thank you for your comments.
Tony

[Phil Nottingham]

I cannot see that its an earth wire - it may just be a locking device. In which case steel wire would be better. I doubt if its actually necessary.

[Deleted]

I agree but have wired -up with copper just in case.