The 'E' Type Forum

Over the last two years I have been plagued with a strong fuel smell in DHC boot.

Last year a new tank was installed and new hoses fitted all round with Hylomar on the gaskets. This was NOT successful.

Tank now out again to be pressure tested to a few PSI.

Assuming it is the tank and not the fuel pump, can new cork gaskets for the fuel pick and the level sensor be installed dry and still seal out the smell.


Thanks

On my Series 3, I had a similar problem. It turned out to be the small piece of rubber hose that connects the fuel filler pipe to the pipe that comes up from the tank. I believe every E is built this way, and the hose has several clamps holding this hose on. I Make sure you 4 clamp ( completely redundant) one at the very top, one just a bit lower at the end of the upper filler pipe, and then again on the pipe that's part of the tank....one at the uppermost part of the pipe, and another at the end of the hose......good and tight. remember to see that the rubber connecting hose is perfectly centered, and in the near term, check the tightness of the clamps to see they are as tight as can be. Worked for me......I went the route of using gas-proof sealant first, but still had the smell....usually after fill-ups.. New hose and the 4 clamps did the trick !

I think there are different tanks even in the same series E-type. Some have a small bore breather pipe (alongside the filler pipe) which connects to a nozzle on the underside of the fuel flap - beside the filler cap. Some have no breather pipe relying instead on a vented cap.

When I got my S2 FHC, it continued to smell of petrol vapour even after the gasket and screws for the fuel pickup plate had been replaced and sealed properly. Turned out I did not have a vented cap on an unvented tank. Make sure the little screws holding the pickup plate are properly sealed. Amazing how much fuel can get out through those if the tank is filled right up when not having the correct washers.

The vented cap solved the problem for me. It has only a 1/16" hole.

The change in the breathing of the tank is only within the S2 model run, there were 3 different tanks, two vented via the cap and the third came in with the EX/EM engine air filter changes to allow for fuel vapour to be returned to the tank.

Should have said it is a 3.8 series 1 car and tank has been fitted with new filler hose

It also has a single vent up to the main filler neck and has also been fitted with new hose and clamps.

Could the smell possibly come from the su pump or bulkhead connections. What is best aluminium or fibre washers to seal.


Thanks

Answer to your questions is yes.......anything, not tight enough, could be letting out fumes, including the down hose from the filler cap, despite being new. Tighten every thing up, then take everything out of the trunk, and go for short rides in your neiborhood, constantly popping the trunk to find the leak.....you will find it. At least 3/4 full will help. Good luck !