Strong smell of petrol in cab - possible causes?

[Hoopy_Frood]

Hi,

I've got a 1984 1.9DG watercooled T25 Poptop (just purchased). It was a bit of a hasty purchase (in fact, someone from this forum advised us against it, but we totally fell in love with it and bought it anyway - heart over head - not how I would usually do things) but I can't stop grinning when I drive it.

Anyway, there's a very strong smell of petrol, both at standstill and when driving and I'm looking to get a checklist together of the possible causes. I can't see any leaks or dripping under the van, and the fuel tank was replaced fairly recently.

So, the first thing on my list is the fuel filler neck. It's cracked so I'm guessing this could one potential cause of the fumes?

The power of the web also tells me that the next things to look at should be the expansion tanks; checking for holes and the condition of the lines.

That pretty much sums up my technical knowledge, and while I'm fairly confident I can do the above jobs, I'd like to know what other possible things might be causing the smell.

Thanks
Iain

[ermie571]

That's pretty much what anyone will tell you to do...but you could also check the fuel lines and filter and connections while you are under there....and replace!

Em
xx

[300CE]

Hi Iain, deffo check the hoses on the expansion tanks (one either side), there is also a piece of hose in the centre - all of my were brittle and fell to pieces when i removed them. As Em says, also check the hose and filter underneath the van by the petrol tank. As a matter of course, i would change all the fuel lines from the engine forwards - details can be obtained on the wiki and of course any advice required from the members on here:

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Pe ... re_warning" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Fu ... Fuel_hoses" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Hoopy_Frood]

Great, thanks for the advice.

[Krugerbaydesign]

I used to have a poptop, much the same as yourself it was a hasty buy of fleabay. Mine ended up having a new fuel tank as previous owner had removed and put back the tank minus the rubber bungs plus the tank was rotten in the usual places.

But like the other replies say, check your filler neck and expansion tanks first

[Zetor]

Mine had strong petrol smells in the cab, a previous owner had put plywood covers over the batteries under each seat, these had metal pegs sticking out that sat into holes they had drilled either side of the battery two of the holes they had drilled had gone through the metal and through the expansion tanks on either side. Fumes direct into the cab.