Petrol Smell

[dazza33]

Hi all, have a 98 VT Wagon and all of a sudden I am getting a petrol smell in the car and around the back of the car, but not all the time. I have done the obvious stuff like look for leaks etc and can't see anything. Anyone got any other ideas as to where I might check?

Cheers, Daz.

[QldKev]

I've read a few times that the petrol cap doesn't do up tight enough and allows it to vent fumes. To check when you open the cap do you get the air sucking sound? If not it may be time for a new cap.

[Brett_jjj]

Most of the fuel smell problems with these cars are caused by perished/split fuel vapour/vent lines that run from the fuel tank to the charcoal cannister in the engine bay..They usually split at the rear of the car around the fuel tank area,the only way to fix it is to drop the fuel tank and replace these vapour lines with new lines..

[Aussie Revhead]

i get the same problem on my VC just saying

[jr689]

I've read a few times that the petrol cap doesn't do up tight enough and allows it to vent fumes. To check when you open the cap do you get the air sucking sound? If not it may be time for a new cap.

Yea give the fuel cap a look.

Try turning it one full revolution after it starts to "click", if that doesn't solve it get a new fuel cap...

Turning it one extra revolution fixed it on my car though, however I guess it's only a matter of time before I need to replace it!

[NeddyBear]

I to have a fuel smell in our VX but I thought it was from when I filled the mower jerry and put it in the boot and now the smells gone, I'll check out the other points to.

[graham7773]

The Commodore fuel tank cap has a one way valve built-in to prevent the tank collapsing as fuel is used. The valve is supposed to allow air to get in but does not allow petrol vapour to escape. If the valve fails, you may get petrol smells around the car. Leaving the cap off will produce the same result as well as turning your car into a potential molotov cocktail.

[dazza33]

It was the breather tube at the back of the tank, it had disconnected from the canister line, simply clipped it back in and all gone!

Cheers for the help but.

Daz.