Fuel scent... got me worried!

92subbie · Post by **92subbie** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:23 am

hey all

recently i have been noticing that occasionally (more often than not) when pulling up from driving and sitting there with the engine idling, say for instance at an intersection, i have been smelling a reasonably strong scent of fuel coming inside the car. now i have stuck my head under the bonnet numerous times to try and suss out the situation but i just can seem to work out whats going on! i can see and noticeable serious leaks... as in leaks that may be dripping like a take... theres the usual fuel stains and what not around the carby but i dont think thats any major issue. could it be leaking from somewhere else or does the carby need rebuilding? i have changed spark plugs, checked timing and all seems to be ok. oh and the car doesnt run rough or anything... she runs like a charm!

any help is always appreciated!!

Cheers

92subbie · Post by **92subbie** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:27 am

oh and also just thought id add this... it may not make too much sense but when the car is in low to mid range revs it sorta makes like a 'squirting, gurgly' noise as if it is running rough and some fuel isnt being burnt... i just pressumed that this was the sort of noises these engines make. like i said its a tough noise to try and describe so hopefully someone out there understands me!

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:11 am

92subbie wrote:hey all

recently i have been noticing that occasionally (more often than not) when pulling up from driving and sitting there with the engine idling, say for instance at an intersection,

Cheers

this can be leaking exhaust, probably btw header & muffler, and also running rich.

Smokey · Post by **Smokey** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:16 am

has the charcoal canister had it? when u can smell it jump out and look for dripping or prob just vapour fumes more like.

No idea what the noise is u are talking about but I'm sure someone else will.

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:32 pm

Has anything to do with the fuel system been modified??

Dave

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:43 pm

I had a similar experience with the Brumby's EA81. The problem in my case was a loose hose which, when clamped back on fixed the problem.

Check out all your hose connections carefully. I ended up replacing a number of dodgy looking spring type hose clamps with new screw type clamps.

Jack

92subbie · Post by **92subbie** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:22 pm

no nothing has been modified at all, the car is completely standard. i have not checked the charcoal canister so i will do that.
interesting you say that fredsub because i believe it could be running rich but to my knowledge there is no adjustment for this is there? and i havent checked for leaking between the header and muffler so i will check that one also.

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:58 pm

You should check all fuel lines from the tank to the car for any signs that the hoses are split or clamps not tight

GTlegs · Post by **GTlegs** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:50 pm

See if there is a leak around the main carby spring - the shafts often leak.

92subbie · Post by **92subbie** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:26 pm

ok heres what i have checked today:

charcoal canister - appears to be fine with all the ports acting as they should.

fuel lines/hoses - everything appears to be in order here with no splits in hoses and all clamps secured adequately.

exhaust - i had a quick look at this but wasnt to sure how to check for leaks. i looked at all the joins and none appeared to have any signs of exhaust substances around them.

carby - unsure if its running rich (how do i change it if it is?) i also thoroughly checked all around it and i believe it could be leaking from the main shaft spring. i have taken some photos to get some opinions. how do i go about fixing this or is it best just to let a carby specialist do it?

fredsub · Post by **fredsub** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:40 am

checking exhaust leaks - i've seen the guy at the muffler place use a hose for sniffing with to his ear....it must need a bit of practice, cuz i tried it, not too well with it tho.lol, a bit like a doctor with a stethoscope........

92subbie · Post by **92subbie** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:36 am

i see... i am pretty certain it is coming from the carby. but i honestly wouldnt know.

Cheers