gas smell in my garage

[MannyC]

How concerned should I be? I smell gas while I drive around, and then after I park my car in the garage, the next morning when I walk in, there is a strong fuel smell. I just got this car 2 days ago and has a ton of stuff on it, including a 600HP stroked engine. West Coast Vipers said there were no fuel leaks when they checked it out.

 

[joe117]

If you smell it, it must be leaking.
If it has one, I would suspect the nitrous system. I don't know what kind of mechanic you are so I don't know what to tell you to do.
But, you need to fix it right away.

 

[MES]

Check the gas cap. I've had the same thing happen. Remove and re-install or you could just buy a new locking one at Autozone.

 

[MannyC]

I checked the gas cap and even smelled it and it was fine.

Car does have a Nitrous system. Haven't used it or armed it even. Was thinking of pulling the bottle out of the car for now. DOes NOS even smell? I thought it was odorless.

 

[Joseph Houss]

Check Vapor Canister as well.

 

[Viperzilla]

I think they may add an odor if anything, kinda like natural gas.

 

[MannyC]

What's a Vapor Canister? Where is it? Do I sound like a squid, yet?

 

[Joseph Houss]

From what I remember, there is a canister (near the front facia?) that collects gasoline vapors and somehow processes them (emissions related). I recall a NJ guy had that issue, smelled gasoline, and it turned out to be this (replacement was necessary).

What's a Vapor Canister? Where is it? Do I sound like a squid, yet?

 

[Larry Macedo]

You may want to check the fuel supply hose where it connects with the hard line on the drivers side under the hood. Sometimes the line will fool the installer and won't lock completely, although will cause fuel to seep from that area.

 

[MannyC]

Yeah, I gotta do something. The woman just called and ******* at me and said the inside of her new BMW smelled like gas. Ugh! So off to the shop it will go.

 

[Viperzilla]

What woman? Your woman?!? d'oh

 

[DEVILDOG]

Tell her to park in the driveway!

 

[REMIX]

Just light a match near the engine. That ought to tell you for sure.

REMIX

 

[MannyC]

OK guys, tell me if this is normal in any condition:

Now that I have had the car for 3 days, I have found that after driving it and parking it, after I return to it just a few hours later and get in, the inside of the car is filled with the smell of gas fumes, in a bad way. This totally blows. My other 94 Viper didn't do this.

And on another note, I notice when I drive with the top off, that there is a hint of smell that smells somewhat like natural gas (like your oven gas.) I checked the NOS bottle and it is sealed shut all the way. A buddy of mine said that it might be that CAT that is making this smell. What causes a natural gas type smell and is that normal? That smell is not inside the car after it is parked -- only the pump gas smell -- the same smell that my entire garage smells like in the morning when I go in there to start up the car.

 

[Snake Bitten]

Well, your gas leak is just going to have to be run down...I'd check the gas lines that are used to supplement your N20 first...

But your other "odor" is most likely Jet Hot coated headers...maybe the 2000 degree...It stinks a bit...are they coated??? Take a pic of your headers and post it up...

And don't smoke in the car just yet...

 

[joe117]

Right, when I said to check the nitrous system I didn't mean that the nitrous was the problem, it's the gasoline side of the system. There are many lines in that system that could be leaking.

If you are not a mechanic I wouldn't mess with it too much. If you know something about wrenches, give it a try.

I'd park it in good light, turn the key to the run position without starting it and start looking at the lines in the engine compartment. If the leak is of any size you should be able to find it this way.

 

[MannyC]

The car is at West Coast Vipers and they are checking it out. One of the forum members (Jason) was there and was nice enought to help me out and sat in my car and said something like, "Oh God, that reeks!" so I know it isn't me, now

While it is there, I am having them change out the racing pads and put in some greens, as I can't stand the major sqeaking and squeals as I come to stops. Also looking at potentially bringing the noice level down at light driving levels - this one is just a beast right now. And lastly, it goes to the dyno to tweak the NOS system so that I can finally use it.

Thanks guys. I will let you know what it was that they find.