The 'E' Type Forum

I have two smells inside the car: GASOLINE and EXHAUST fumes.
I'd like to know if this happens in your cars too, so I can put my mind at rest.

When I fill the tank more than halfway with gasoline, I smell GASOLINE inside the car.
All the clamps are tight and I don't see any leaks.
Is it the fuel tank's cork gasket?
Is it unavoidable?

When I roll down the windows, while driving, EXHAUST come in.
Is it the aerodynamics' fault?
Is it unavoidable?

If this happens in your cars too, I'll learn to live with it.

Thanks
Giovanni

Regarding Gasoline, I had a fuel pressure regulator fitted by restorer, in the boot, that caused my issue. I replaced it with an under bonnet period type and all fuel lines at the same time. Solved! During the process I purchased a hand held gas detector that worked great. Here's a link that was similar to the process I took..Also, after replacing top cork tank seal & new copper washers, I painted over it.
No exhaust smells but check boot seal and look for body holes around numberplate area etc.

viewtopic.php?t=9459

You shouldn’t get either of those smells in the cabin.

Do a search for exhaust smells on this forum - a common problem.

Make sure every hole at the rear of the car is properly sealed - rear lights, reversing light, exhaust mounts, number plate panel etc.

As mentioned above, the fuel take off and the fuel gauge sender, then next the holes.
My car had no seal at the tank sump, this is a big hole, after making a ring from dense packing foam, I moved to the front bulkhead.
Lots of holes here too, but probably the most obvious was the lack of a foam ring from bonnet to heater, this helped a great deal, often overlooked wiring grommet to drivers footwell upper left on tunnel.
I only get fumes with heavy deceleration now.

Water drain tube in filler cap, is it connected?.

Is the fuel tank breather connected properly or at all?

I find that with my front side windows closed, and the rear windows open, I can get exhaust odor in the cabin when driving at lower speeds (35mph or slower) through town. Once the speed climbs, the odor issue goes away.

As for fuel smells in a FHC car, that would indicate you have a leaking or seeping hose somewhere. All three of my E types required replacing the aging fill hose to correct this. My current car also had an issue whereby the overflow drain tube in the filler cap compartment had come loose (from inside the boot area) and would allow a strong fuel smell for quite some miles just after refueling.

Also do you have a vented or unvented fuel filler cap? If vented check that the vent hole isn't blocked or blocked by the gasket.

About the fuel smell.
I had my FHC repainted and the tank was removed/replaced at that time.
The big fuel hose from the gas inlet to the tank was apparently badly repositioned and it's difficult to access the zone of the serflex to tighten it and seal that hose on the tank.
Everytime I refill the tank, there is some of the fuel pouring down from the hole around the tank sump. Probably it comes from that leaking hose, then down the floor of the boot where it may also accumulate and produce fuel smell...

Gasoline smells in my E were always caused by leaking Banjo unions on the SUs. I carried an appropriate size spanner always. Sometimes I found it helped to slack them all off, re align everything then tighten them again - tighter than you think.

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I'll try to check all the critical points you've written.

You haven't mentioned anything about the exhaust smells.
To explain better: I always keep the radiator fan on (to circulate air), but it's not coming from there, since there's no bad smell if the windows are closed.
The exhaust odor only comes in when I open the windows.
If your cars don't have this smell when you leave the windows down, it means it's a problem (something missing or damage) that needs fixing, only mine.

Don't forget that the aerodynamics of the E-Type is (surprisingly for some) very bad.
@bistsobrits already mentioned related issues. If you open windows, exhaust fumes may come back from the rear...

We have, Simon and myself have mentioned holes, rear lights number plate etc, the large donut seal below the tank.
Is your rear window seal good?

You shouldn’t be getting any exhaust smells with the windows open. If you are, you have an exhaust leak somewhere. If from the manifolds or downpipes, the smell could be getting in from an open hole in the bulkhead.

Also, regarding fuel smells, make sure that the carbs are not leaking anywhere and check around the fuel filter.

My old car had a similar issue, mostly due to leaks around the fuel system. After fixing those, I started using natural air fresheners for a pleasant aroma inside, like the ones at nothingbutscents.com. Burns slowly, smells great. You might want to start by checking the breather lines and seals while enjoying a good scent!