VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Gas Smell

I noticed that I had a strong gas smell coming from my 48. I checked her from front to back for visible leaks, and, found nothing. The smell seems strongest close to the gas tank. Somebody replaced the tank before I owned the car, and I suspect that they used RTV to make a gasket for the round cover on top of the tank, and, its leaking where I can't see it. The tank was full - so I pumped about 4 gallons out, and, that seems to have eliminated most of the smell. Oh, well, time to drop the tank and see what's going on.

Regards:
Oldengineer

Mine is doing that too. If you reach up on the top of the tank from the front side of it, you'll feet the gas dripping on the top. I've stopped filling it to the top, until I have time to drop the tank again

You can also check the lines where they enter the tank through the sending unit to make sure they are not loose or cracked.

I think tanks rust out on top quicker than on bottom. You may want to check that. Also, check the filler hose.
Charlie

In case you don't want to drop the tank just yet, here's an option to try. If you have smallish hands and a right angle screwdriver, you can usually get up there and check the tightness of the sending unit screws to make sure they're snug. I replaced the tank in my '47 this summer and had to snug things up top after a month or so because it was dribbling out the top after a fill-up. After a little tightening it was good as new and no more gas smell. And I didn't have to drop the tank, just loosened the front 2 strap bolts.

Hope you get lucky that way too :)

By all means check the filler hose...Mine cracked...Same thing, gas smell...Good Luck...Kevin

I was able to tighten my sending unit up after installation by dropping down the front of the tank and using a right angle screwdriver. It used to run out, now it seeps just a little - enough to be damp if you fill the tank. Need to check it again...

Thanks Guys for all the suggestions. The fuel line is attached to my tank on the bottom front corner on the passenger side. I checked the fitting and it's dry. I'll get under the car and see if I can tighten up the screws on top without dropping the tank as well. The tank may have a rust hole on top where I can't see it. The other thing I noticed is that whoever put the tank in, didn't put the webbing on the 2 tank straps. The tank is sitting directly on the metal straps. Will that eventually rub a hole in the tank?

Regards:
Oldengineer

I believe the straps should tight enough that the tank is unable to move or shift at all...If it is able to move, it would rub through the "webbing" and the metal eventually, anyway. I do recall placing a couple strips of something above the tank...It might have been leather...I did re-spray it with undercoating, like the dealership did, back in '47...

I think they sell webbing, but I don't use it...Tank to strap...It's part of my electrical "ground"...Kevin