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        General >> Problems >> reeks of petrol!
        
(Message started by: ro284 on Nov 18^th, 2010, 7:44pm)

Title: reeks of petrol!
Post by ro284 on Nov 18^th, 2010, 7:44pm

I only picked the car up yesterday, when i paid for it, good price! the guy said oh i forgot the wife reminded me that it stinks of petrol, and not to put more than £30 in, so i did,i had to to drive over 170 miles home, i know it's always a chance on ebay! but it reeked! (made me feel ill) i noticed that as the fuel level dropped the stink went away, what i cant understand is how the stink can be so strong inside the car! even with windows and roof open.any ideas please as to where to look? 97 24v estate,
thanks Bob

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Nov 18^th, 2010, 8:38pm

Most likely leaking from around the joint between the top and bottom halves of the fuel tank. Common problem. Only real cure is another tank. Not a difficult job to do but run the tank down to almost empty before taking it out - much lighter ;)
Smell will be strong because of the fuel vapour from the leak.

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by Matt on Nov 18^th, 2010, 8:40pm

Sounds like the tank has a hole in it if you can only fill to a certain point, have you checked for any signs of leaking

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by ro284 on Nov 18^th, 2010, 8:48pm

thanks guys, i have crawled under the tank tonight, nothing obvious, but have an Mot saturday, hope to have a proper look then, what i find strange is that it smells more in the back of the car, but the boot lock has siezed up and i cant lift up the floor over spare wheel, i have heard of someone drilling a hole to let water out of the wheel well, and drilled through the tank as well!
As i say i cant get in through the tailgate yet, i have been lying in the back (stinks) trying to reach the other side of the tailgate button, via the reversing light access, no joy yet.
Thanks Bob

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by Scorpio_Mike on Nov 18^th, 2010, 8:55pm

on 11/18/10 at 20:48:42, ro284 wrote:

I have heard of someone drilling a hole to let water out of the wheel well, and drilled through the tank as well !

Unlikely as the spare wheel well is on the passenger side, fuel tank on the drivers side - next to each other, not above / below.

Fuel tanks leaking around the seam is not uncommon. New tank available for under £100, s/h obviously cheaper but you might end up doing the job again.

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by gozz on Nov 18^th, 2010, 9:18pm

The most common leak point is caused by corrosion around the filler neck behind the O/S wheel due to mud build up.

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by Simmo on Nov 19^th, 2010, 8:23am

The details of removal etc are are all Here (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/fuelsystem.htm). The seal around the tank 'sender' unit is also a common cause of such problems.
As for the boot lock best keep soaking in WD40. The centre button seizes up. Open the keyhole and get WD40 in there as well. Use the key to gradually try and 'work' the lock as you apply the WD. :)

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by ro284 on Nov 19^th, 2010, 3:33pm

Thanks for your help guys, i have managed to open tailgate, the button was (still is) siezed solid, but if it helps, the way i broke in was by removeng the inside boot plastic trim, from lower glass and pulling on the mechanism,(which the button pushes on) then i noticed why it would not open on the remote, the connector with the switch was off, i will have to replace the button later, but i can open the tailgate with the remote after re-fitting the switch, but no sign of any petrol in there, hope to have a peep under car at mot tomorrow, thanks again.
Bob

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by Mike H on Nov 23^rd, 2010, 1:07pm

In the normal course of events the fuel tank is made under slight vacuum I believe? So when you unscrew the filler cap it hisses. Presumably if it don't hiss means air is getting in? I.e. a leak.

What about one of these breather hoses or whatever it is being loose?

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by ro284 on Nov 23^rd, 2010, 4:39pm

Thanks Mike i managed to have a look at the tank while the car failed mot! there is definitely signs of a leak from the seam of the tank, it looks as if the car has been reversed up a steep grass verge, which has pushed the tank up, i am surprised that the design of the tank has the seam so low! so i will fit another tank, i did not notice any hiss at all after a run,
Thanks Bob

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by Mike H on Nov 24^th, 2010, 12:39pm

That's very unfortunate, there ain't a lot of ground clearance is there?

Yep supposed to hiss when you start unscrewing the filler cap. The slight vacuum is necessary for a reason but can't remember what it is offhand.

Which reminds me, going off-topic but does anyone else have a problem with kerb stones too high at the ends of parking spaces? You know how long the car is, and increasingly I've noticed a trend for parking spaces to be "not long enough". Is it a deliberate ploy to make us get smaller cars or something? I've already ripped off one end of my front spoiler once trying to get it further in so the back end isn't sticking out by a yard.

<end of mini-rant>

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by Highlander on Nov 24^th, 2010, 1:20pm

on 11/24/10 at 12:39:46, Mike H wrote:

Which reminds me, going off-topic but does anyone else have a problem with kerb stones too high at the ends of parking spaces? You know how long the car is, and increasingly I've noticed a trend for parking spaces to be "not long enough"

Its old age Mike ;D

Title: Re: reeks of petrol!
Post by Mike H on Nov 24^th, 2010, 1:29pm

That's what they'd like us to think ;D

It's a conspiracy I tell you