Gas smell in cab interior

[wzuke]

About twice a week I get a strong gas smell inside the cab. Sometimes it stays there for hours and sometimes for 15-20 minute before going away. I have a '71 pickup with the original gas tank which is in the stock location. I believe that all of the hoses are connected correctly and am using a new cap. Any suggestions as to stopping the gas smell? I would rather not relocate the tank.

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by wzuke

About twice a week I get a strong gas smell inside the cab. Sometimes it stays there for hours and sometimes for 15-20 minute before going away. I have a '71 pickup with the original gas tank which is in the stock location. I believe that all of the hoses are connected correctly and am using a new cap. Any suggestions as to stopping the gas smell? I would rather not relocate the tank.

Well, about the only way I know to "remove the gas smell" from the interior without relocating the tank would be to sell it and get something else.

No, seriously. I've been riding in/driving these trucks for 30 years on and off. There was ALWAYS a slight smell of gas in every single one. I've owned/operated/been a passenger in at least 8 of these trucks (long term, not counting the occasional ride in other peoples trucks over the years) and it has ALWAYS been an issue.

[wzuke]

This is not a slight smell - it smells like someone poured gas on the floor.

[Andy4639]

Check the vent tube on passenger side that goes up into the top of the cab.
I have had my truck 20 some years and it would smell bad after filling up. Check the gas neck on the outside to see if it's locking the cap down good. I had to tweak mine some to stop it even with a new cap.
Check the tank good for a small leak in the bottom of it.

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by wzuke

This is not a slight smell - it smells like someone poured gas on the floor.

Hmmm, check the vent tubes maybe? If you can, pull the seat out and check ALL the various tubes coming out of the tank. There should be a tube coming out of the top of the passenger side going up into the roof area.

Other than that, I have no idea. There will always be a slight smell of gas, but then again my idea of a slight smell might be different than yours.

As I've said before, I got brought home from the hospital when I was born strapped to the top of the center console in the '68 CST (the truck had '69 buckets and console).

If this is your first experience actually owning one of these old guys, well, that may be part of the problem. Part of the attraction (and admittedly lately to certain members of the female persuasion) is the slight smell of well used old Chevy truck.

Mix various parts of Gasoline, Oil, Dirt, Grease, Brake fluid, ATF, Steel, Rust and sweat and the girlfriends eyes kinda get crossed over when I get home from the shop after working on the truck.

Never knew why she was into the old cars as she seemed kind of the "pink" girl type. Now I think I know.

Question, why do you not want to relocate the tank?

[wzuke]

1. Cost
2. Most of the tanks I have seen are too low in back
3. Filler placement options are limited
4. No place for spare tire
5. Does not give extra room in cab
6. Cost
But it would get rid of the smell!!

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by wzuke

1. Cost

$199 for a brand new kit from Brothers, LMC, and Golden State pickup parts with everything needed but the fuel line going to the back of the truck. I'm sure if you ask around here (on the board) one of the site vendors could get you just as good a deal, if not a heck of a lot better.

2. Most of the tanks I have seen are too low in back

Oh, are you lowering your truck? If not I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you are worried about it, LMC makes a stell gas tank in the same shape as the polyurethane one for about the same price. There are also any number of lower profile tanks that fit between the frame rails left to right, front to rear.

3. Filler placement options are limited

Again, search this forum for "fuel tank filler", go use the bathroom, pour yourself your libation of choice (coffee, coke, water, whatever) and prepare to be amazed at what these guys can (and HAVE) do.

4. No place for spare tire

Depends on what you use the truck for. If you want a "working" truck, you can always get the in-bed bedside mount. If not, carry a can of fix-a-flat in all the area you will save by getting rid of the in cab tank!

5. Does not give extra room in cab

Bullstuff! Ask anyone who has done it or seen it done and they will tell you that you are dead wrong. Getting rid of that in cab gas tank gives you ALL KINDS of useable room in the cab!

6. Cost

Again, right around $250-$400 and a weekend. Thats counting the new gas lines going to the back of the truck, the new wiring for the gauge, and even a new filler (depending on how elegant you want it).

But it would get rid of the smell!!

[rwgregory]

As for the smell, check the gasket for the sending unit on top of the tank and also the rubber donut for the fill neck/tank junction.

[Brock]

happens twice a week...hangs around for 15-20 minutes.

Let me guess you fill up somewhere around twice a week, dirve your truck at least 10-20 miles directly there-after. Sounds like when the tank is full you have some sloshing and leaking...I agree with the checking around the filler neck and vent

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

Originally Posted by rwgregory

As for the smell, check the gasket for the sending unit on top of the tank and also the rubber donut for the fill neck/tank junction.

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I agree with rw. Also check the rubber gasket on the sending unit itself as it can become hard and allow gas to bypass it when you fill up. If this is happening you will more then likely see traces of gas on the outside of the tank. If this is the case replace the rubber gasket. This has been the culprit on both my trucks when I could smell gas in the cab.

esll.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by rwgregory

As for the smell, check the gasket for the sending unit on top of the tank and also the rubber donut for the fill neck/tank junction.

Biggest culprit for smell. Does the strong smell coincide with filling the tank?

[wzuke]

The smell does not correspond with filling the tank. I have a new sending unit and a new gasket. I will have to look for a "donut" between the tank and fill neck tube - didn't know there was one there. Thanks for the suggestions!

[retodd7711]

Originally Posted by wzuke

I get a strong gas smell inside the cab. Sometimes it stays there for hours .

Did you have chili for lunch?