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Registered:
November 2002
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 Tracking down a petrol smell?
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Thu, 29 September 2005 14:07
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Without using a naked flame or trusting a nose that has snorted too much Columbian marching powder, what is a good way to try and find the source of a strong petrol smell from inside the cabin of my RA23 (fuel tank behind the rear seat for those confused TA22 owners).
Thanks.
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Location:
Newcastle
Registered:
May 2004
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Re: Tracking down a petrol smell?
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Thu, 29 September 2005 14:32
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get her up on a hoist, or up on axle stands, get under there, follow the fuel lines from rear to front, in the eninge bay, check all clamps and attaching area's of lines and look for leaks. If no sign of leak, try with the car on, as it may be evident (see petrol leaking  ) when the cars on.
Good luck.
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Location:
Terrigal
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Tracking down a petrol smell?
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Thu, 29 September 2005 23:01
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Its such a pain this.. I get a fuel smell in my RA28 every now and then and cannot find it. All hoses i've replaced, clamps, even the pipe between tank and filler neck. Breather line etc.
But still get the smell under certain circumstances (full tank, cornering).
I've given up.. Let me know if you find a good way!
But i've been told that a lot of hoses do 'breathe' and thats where the smell comes from.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
February 2003
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Re: Tracking down a petrol smell?
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Thu, 29 September 2005 23:13
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fill tank up, gets mates to shake car while you 'sniff' selected locations with clean, odourless tube (much the same way you diagnose mystery engine sounds)?
Perhaps is time to change the charcoal canister in the engine bay?
Some tanks also have a primitive vapour control thing attached to the filler neck (smetimes just a tube that runs from close to petrol cap down to the tank. that system might be damaged.
The ma61 has a rubberseal between filler tube and body - if you get it on wrong (or dont have it) you get petrol fumes just after filling up tank - perhaps there is something untoward in the seals behind the filler cap in your ra23?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
October 2003
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Re: Tracking down a petrol smell?
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Thu, 29 September 2005 23:27
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I had fuel smell in my Sprinter when the top of the pickup wasnt sealed properly, had to end up getting a new tank, that fixed it. The rubber seal could be carroded. Try replacing it, silicon doesnt work, it gets eaten. 
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Location:
Sydney NSW
Registered:
July 2004
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Registered:
November 2002
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Re: Tracking down a petrol smell?
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Fri, 30 September 2005 08:22
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Thank you everyone for yoru excellent advice, I will give it all a go, and if you don't hear a boom, I might have found the leak first.....
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Location:
Canberra
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Tracking down a petrol smell?
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Fri, 30 September 2005 08:29
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There is an old panelbeaters trick for finding water leaks, it would also work for fuel leaks.
Mix a couple of tablespoons of talcum powder( the better smelling the better  ),with 400ml of metho, fill your paint spray gun, and start spraying around all fuel line joins, at hose clamps, and surge tank, fuel tank etc. Stand back for a bit, have a beer, or a coffee.
The metho will evaporate, leaving the powder behind, any leaking fuel, will wash the powder off, real easy to spot.
For car body leaks, just spray the door seals with the mix, let dry, and then hose the car.
cheers Chuck.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: Tracking down a petrol smell?
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Fri, 30 September 2005 08:37
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| TurboRA28 wrote on Fri, 30 September 2005 07:01 |
But i've been told that a lot of hoses do 'breathe' and thats where the smell comes from.
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My money is sitting here.
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