Smelling petrol

[mariner]

Hi all. My van has started smelling of petrol in and around the tank area after I’ve filled it up - I can smell it in the cab too. Seems to disappear as the level drops.

The tank isn’t showing any signs of leaking. I don’t even fill it to the max any more as previously it started to overflow every time I did this, sometimes even coming back up out of the petrol cap rather than cutting out.

Any pointers at what to look at would be much appreciated.

[Ant-t]

Check your fuel tank breather pipes, if the pipe unions are old and cracked you'll smell petrol.

[mariner]

Thanks, will do.

My van is an’85. Is there a way to check whether it’s an early or late tank without dropping it?

Cheers

[CovKid]

Same unless you have fuel injection which just has a swirlpot inside the tank