Stinky Truck

[Foxcroft80]

Hello all,

My '68 c10 reeks of gas. I've felt under the seat of the truck (tank still behind seat) and kept an eye on the garage floor. As far as I can tell nothing is leaking. My garage opens into the basement and even the basement has a very strong smell of fuel. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Foxcroft-

[Andy4639]

Filler neck. Gas is seeping through the cap.

Line up front has come loose of the canister on the passenger side fender under the battery.
Is this mainly with a full tank of gas if so look down the side of the truck at the gas cap.

[Redline novdog]

Little more info needed. v8-l6,carbed/fuel injection.manual pump/electric???? My '67 leaks/boils fuel at the 4bbl carb. I can visually see fuel/oil puddles in the intake.What setup you have???

[Foxcroft80]

I have a v8 350, carbed in it.

[clemsonteg]

Had that problem once. It would only happen after I filled up the tank. For me, it was the pickup/sender seal. There was much gas coming through, but when I loosened the seat and lifted the carpet covering the tank I could see a small streak coming down the center of the tank at te pickup. A new deal got rid of the smell.

[Redline novdog]

From my observations over the years fuel leaves a definite stain if leaking from somewhere.I take it the intake and carb are showing no signs? If it is just a vapor that can be very explosive!!! Does it smell in the cab if the truck is outside with the windows shut? The manual fuel pumps usually have weep holes that leak when the diaphragm is compromised. I would definitely make finding the problem a priority!

[tcrist]

Finding those leaks can be a PITA. Is there a die that you can put in fuel like there is for finding oil leaks? If so, you might want to check into getting some. Sounds like it could be in more than one spot if the odor can get into the basement but you see no puddles anywhere.

Could be cracked venting hoses.

[Steve Hafner]

. . . .

I never fill my C-10 all the way up.

That seems to help a lot.

I have to think about how much to put in to make it about 3/4 full at each fill up, but it's worth it.

. . . .

[tcrist]

Just adding a thought. I would remove the truck from the garage until you find this issue. All it takes is for the water heater to fire up and

[Foxcroft80]

Thanks all. The cab smells very strongly of gas. I've had the windows down since the warmer weather (even inside) so I'm sure that's not helping with the smell. Sounds like I should make an appointment to have things looked over. The wife probably wouldn't appreciate it if I blew up our house!!

Foxcroft-

[Redline novdog]

If the smell is in the cab windows up. I would get in close on the tank and lines.Like clemsontag stated the sending unit seal/lines could be seeping. It would be worth pulling the seat to verify/repair. NO SPARKS!!

[cdowns]

THERE'S REALLY NO NEED TO PAY SOMEBODY TO DO THIS WORK// LIKE THEY SAID REMOVE THE SEAT LOOK AT THE SHORT LENGTHS OF RUBBER HOSE AND REPLACE THEMJ // THEN YOU CAN GET A NEW RUBBER ORING TO SEAL THE SENDER UNIT A EASY FIX THEN YOU GET TO THE HArd part ---replace the gas cap with a new one

[CST10]

Originally Posted by cdowns

THERE'S REALLY NO NEED TO PAY SOMEBODY TO DO THIS WORK// LIKE THEY SAID REMOVE THE SEAT LOOK AT THE SHORT LENGTHS OF RUBBER HOSE AND REPLACE THEMJ // THEN YOU CAN GET A NEW RUBBER ORING TO SEAL THE SENDER UNIT A EASY FIX THEN YOU GET TO THE HArd part ---replace the gas cap with a new one

This cured my issue. Most likely your cause of fuel odor.

[1972_K5]

My issue was the back of the tank where it rests against the wall was rusting through. A visual inspection all the way around and everything looked good. I finally pulled the tank and found a fist sized soft spot on the back. It was just enough to weep fuel when the tank was full.

[Foxcroft80]

Originally Posted by CST10

This cured my issue. Most likely your cause of fuel odor.

Posted via Mobile Device

[Foxcroft80]

Sounds pretty straight forward. Is there anything else I need to do to prep for it, considering I have about 1/2 a tank of gas currently? I don't feel like blowing myself up!

[Andy4639]

Pull truck outside and open both doors. If you have a fan plug it in and have it blowing through the cab to get rid of any fumes. Care with wrenches to not cause a spark.
You can take the gas cap off to to let the tank vent also.

[Foxcroft80]

Thanks, Andy! Great advise. Just waiting for another hour or so before I begin work, but maybe will go out and open stuff up now...

[Foxcroft80]

I did notice that the cap that's currently on there is pretty old looking. There's also some electrical tape around the metal sleeve that protrudes from the side of the truck. Would that tape be there as a way to try to create a tighter seal for the cap (possibly the culprit of gas smell)?

[Redline novdog]

shouldn't take long once you're working on it. I would take a trip or two around the block first or pull the main line off to drain a little more fuel off. unless you plan on taking the whole tank out. If it is indeed the fuel sender seal leaking a half tank might poor out the sender hole. Just an FYI. You should have no problem. Let us know how it goes

[Redline novdog]

Could be.Put a new cap on and burn off some of that fuel. I would still pull the seat to make sure

[Foxcroft80]

I just went out and I'm more at 3/4 tank. Looks like I might have to take a cruise out to the country to burn some fuel off. Darn it Do you think I'll need a whole new sender unit or just the seal? Currently my fuel gauge works great so I'm thinking probably just the seal...

[Redline novdog]

Just the seal if nothing gets broken.LOL Have fun!

[Foxcroft80]

I'll let you know how I make out! Did you see my comment re: tape around the metal cuff around filler neck? What do you think is up with that?

[Redline novdog]

It could very well be a quick fix.I haven't had good luck with electrical tape sticking to anything associated with fuel. I have a Locking cap on mine that leaks if you fill the tank more than a 3/4 full and right hand turns. It would be money well spent on a new cap.Hopefully someone will chime in as to a good one to buy,as mine is NOT