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[maxg765]

Hello All,

I have a tech question for you. I bought my car and had it delivered to me in Feb 2007. It had a full body repaint this summer. There was ZERO rust anywhere and it was just a repaint although I had ALL the trim doors, hood, trunk, etc removed and the body brought back to bare metal for a proper job. Nothing mechanical was removed and all the trunk carpeting and lining was taken out as well. The Gas tank was exposed at that time but no leaks showed anywhere and it looked like new. It was covered up during repainting. The outside gas cap grommet/seal was changed for a new one that I got from RIMMORS BROS. Heres my question, before the repaint it never had a Gas smell coming from anywhere. It started in the trunk and got progressively worse and stringer. It it now pretty strong and is coming into the cabin especially if I put the roof up. There is no gas leaks on the floor. What could have happened. I removed the carpet again along with the wood base exposing the gas tank and don't see anything odd or out of place, nor any liquid. Any ideas?  I also posted this question on the STAG USA forum but figured I would hit up all the experts.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Max

[maxg765]

Hello Again,

Glenn from the STAG USA forum replied to my post there and his suggestions proved to be correct and I found what seemed to be the problem.

The overflow fill hose was loose as well one of the black vapor hoses coming out of the gas tank was not connected for some reason.  I hope reconnecting these stops the smell.

regards

Max

[StagByTriumph]

Well Max, did it stop the smells??

[maxg765]

Well Max, did it stop the smells??

Hello Glen,

With the above picture I thought I had solved it as I reconnected the black line to the triangle charcoal unit.  At first it seemed to reduce the smell but it is still very there.  I had removed all the trim and carpet for the gas smell to not stick to them so it cannot be in the carpet.  Is it possible that the charcoal unit no longer does its job due to age?  Or, is it possible that Gas had spilled out of that tiny thin line onto the trunk base below the tank?  I do not see any leaks or drips nor is the area wet.  Its does however feel oily if I rub my finger on the bottom base trunk area, I assumed that was rust proofing but not sure.  Finally, I have yet to replace the clear plastic overflow tube which is not connected to the inside of the fill hole but I have not overfilled or spilled any gas, and could all that smell be coming form the fill tube and that tiny hole exposed which should have the clear plastic tube?  Finally, could I have the charcoal unit refurbished or purchase a new one styled like the OEM or an actual OEM unit?

Thanks in advance

Max

PS My most resent issue is that if I leave my steering wheel turned about half way or more once parked my power steering fluid will leek out.  I assume it a hose?  It comes from near the driver side wheel area underneath just above where the exhaust bends at 90% to go towards the back.

[StagByTriumph]

Well Max, did it stop the smells??

Hello Glen,

With the above picture I thought I had solved it as I reconnected the black line to the triangle charcoal unit.

Triangular unit in the trunk is an expansion tank/liquid separator, not a charcoal unit.  The charcoal unit(s) is in the engine compartment.

  At first it seemed to reduce the smell but it is still very there.  I had removed all the trim and carpet for the gas smell to not stick to them so it cannot be in the carpet.  Is it possible that the charcoal unit no longer does its job due to age?  Or, is it possible that Gas had spilled out of that tiny thin line onto the trunk base below the tank?  I do not see any leaks or drips nor is the area wet.  Its does however feel oily if I rub my finger on the bottom base trunk area, I assumed that was rust proofing but not sure.

Also very possible.  The vent line on the tank on the upper right corner could have dumped both vapor and fuel into the trunk area.  All penetrations in and out of the tank need to be removed, cleaned, sealant applied for the hose and clamped.  The tank is held in with 4 bolts and the filler neck hose.

  Finally, I have yet to replace the clear plastic overflow tube which is not connected to the inside of the fill hole but I have not overfilled or spilled any gas, and could all that smell be coming form the fill tube and that tiny hole exposed which should have the clear plastic tube?

yes indeed.  Why?  Because the rubber seal to the filler does not seal 100% so vapor and fuel sloshing around goes past the rubber filler seal into that filler cap overflow area and down into the trunk, then past the trunk hinges into the passenger compartment.  That is the purpose of the clear poly hose, to divert it out of the trunk.

 

Finally, could I have the charcoal unit refurbished or purchase a new one styled like the OEM or an actual OEM unit?

Thanks in advance
Max

Older ones - the ones in the engine compartment, had a threaded base that can be unscrewed.  There are different types of charcoal specifically made for hydrocarbon absorption.  Unfortunately you buy it in 50# bags.  One of our club members in New York may have some left over.  Contact Glenn Roy.

PS My most resent issue is that if I leave my steering wheel turned about half way or more once parked my power steering fluid will leek out.  I assume it a hose?  It comes from near the driver side wheel area underneath just above where the exhaust bends at 90% to go towards the back.

This is probably the top valve shaft seal where the steering link connects to the rack.  These typically leak if old, and there were some undersized seals included in kits for a long time.  Time for a rebuild at Atlantic - the information is on the http://www.TSCUSA.org web site.