Isolating source of vapour leak: petrol vapour in boot

[Tim Proctor]

There are other threads available on petrol smell in the boot.

Before you all start shouting at me to read them, we have, we've been through all the standard stuff, and a strong smell persists.

The question is how to begin to isolate the source of vapour. Can anyone advise on how to track down the location of a vapour leak? I'm vaguely aware that petrol vapours will pass many barriers, so it's hard to know how to begin sorting the problem out. Does petrol vapour pass through cling film, for instance, or could we wrap various hoses and connections in cling film to isolate them? Or can some kind of sniffer arrangement be used?

Louise, t'other half!

[wilf]

Have you had the tank right out to check for pinhole leaks on the underside? They can and do rot.

[jonfey]

There are other threads available on petrol smell in the boot.

Before you all start shouting at me to read them, we have, we've been through all the standard stuff, and a strong smell persists.

The question is how to begin to isolate the source of vapour. Can anyone advise on how to track down the location of a vapour leak? I'm vaguely aware that petrol vapours will pass many barriers, so it's hard to know how to begin sorting the problem out. Does petrol vapour pass through cling film, for instance, or could we wrap various hoses and connections in cling film to isolate them? Or can some kind of sniffer arrangement be used?

Louise, t'other half!

I had a similar problem with a past classic I owned. It seemed worse on hot days for some reason. ( Expansion?) I was advised to smear CLEAR silicone ( bathroom type) around the outside of all / any joints. It seemed to sort the problem for me. Hope this helps.

[new to this]

Look at all the petrol pipes in the boot,check there tight,then look at the tank for holes,best to take it out they rust at the bottom

Dave

[Goldstar]

Rick and Dave are spot on I would also suggest checking the stub on the tank is blankes off firmly and maybe even go so far as replacing all the pipes from the tank. They can deteriorate without it being obvious. Is the flame trap/overflow pipework all correct (the Rimmers diagram is a good reference)? Good luck

[Stokiestag]

Recently did all the pipe work in my boot ,still didn't solve the smell of petrol!.Took the tank out 3 times,changed the pick up pipe ( damaged olive you couldn't see until it was out ). Still the same.Then 4th time I took the tank out I placed it on some towelling for a couple of hours before checking and then saw the tiniest damp patch.Checked the underside again and rubbed it with a scouring pad and a 1/4" hole appeared !!!.£25 fix at local radiator shop ,NO SMELL.It looked perfect paint on underside so I think a pressure test should have been done earlier.IMG_0970.jpg

[Tim Proctor]

These experiences highlight why I would like to begin to isolate the problem!

The tank has been out, nearly all the pipework is new, the pipe runs are all correct....

[RobinLegin]

I kept experiencing a similar problem. Then last summer on a hot day I fuelled up and noticed the petrol was coming out through the overflow under the car. I got home and took everything out of the boot to get at the tank. There is a second pipe at the top of the tank which is blanked off with a bit of rubber tubing and a nut on the end. The rubber looked OK but was porous and allowed fuel to leak fuel into the boot when the tank was full. it took me several weekends to finally sort the persistant smell of petrol in my car's boot.
Hope this helps
Nigel

[Tim Proctor]

Happy to report the problem has been solved, the hard way, a bit at a time. Strange, it was the tank sender seal, but the old seal felt just as good as the new one. We changed it anyway, not very hopefully, but the smell went away.

Happy days

Louise