The 'E' Type Forum

my car smells of petrol when travelling with the window open i have checked for leaks but cant see anything any help appreciated

You do not say what your car is, but if it is an E type FHC this is not an uncommon problem . Does it vary with the fullness of the tank? Is it worse going round bends, and if so left or right handers? Have you checked your carburetter overflow pipes and the tightness of the banjo bolts on the float chambers ? You need to dismantle the trim on the left side and check the tank top gaskets, the filler hose , the vent hose, and on the right side ( assuming this is a later car with the fuel pump in the right rear wing ) check the pump unions for any feeling of wetness . Even the most minute leak, not detectable by eye, will produce a pungent smell, but the wetness can usually be felt

Can you really avoid petrol fumes, from time to time, in a closed Jaguar?
I have XKs, E-types, my father?s old S-type and a 420G. Every now and again, they smell of petrol inside. I have never got around to analyzing under which circumstances. In fact my mother used to complain that the car reeked of petrol at times, and this was when the car was between new and 6 years old (when my father sold it).