Gas Odor

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:27 am

So I think I have bad rubber at the gas tank inlets.

I'm guessing this is the case because I only smell gas when I top it off or if I'm driving around town and I take a turn a little fast. After I burn some of the gas the fuel smell goes away. When I open the engine door I don't get a over whelming gas smell.

So as you guessed it I want to replace those hoses. It looks like I have to drop the engine to do this. I don't really want to do that at the moment, but I want to address the problem ASAP. Looks like someone already try to cut an access door in the floor. Any chance I could finish the job and replace those hoses?

No need to flame me with pictures of my Bus blowing up or burning down or how imperative I fix the problem. Because of all your warnings in previous posts, I am well aware of how dangerous gas fumes can be.

chitwnvw · Post by **chitwnvw** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:41 am

What year? They changed the fuel filler hoses at least once in the model run...

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:42 am

1978 Campmobile.

vdubyah73 · Post by **vdubyah73** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:44 am

Simple cheap stuff first. Look at the seal on your gas cap.

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:47 am

How would a gas cap seal push fumes into the bus? Do they go through the intake vents? Oh god, please be that simple. Ordering a new gas cap. Ratwell says only the German, chrome, locking caps seals the best.

The one on there seems like a super cheapo.

dtrumbo · Post by **dtrumbo** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:51 am

This stolen from Ratwell's page.

Before you drop the engine, check all the vapor hoses that you can with everything in place. Specifically that red one. When I bought my '78, I filled the tank and fuel leaked out behind the left rear wheel. It was the hose highlighted in red in the diagram. It had split into two unconnected pieces.

I know you said you don't smell the fuel when you open the engine compartment, but you should do the easy stuff first. Besides, if the hoses behind the fire wall are suspected of deteriorating, the others must be suspect also. Do the easy stuff first.

Here's a link to Ratwell's page that will give you the big picture.

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FuelHoses.html

chitwnvw · Post by **chitwnvw** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:53 am

http://germansupply.com/home/customer/p ... at=&page=1

http://germansupply.com/home/customer/p ... at=&page=1

At worst there's only 2 replaceable rubber parts. You might be able to access them through the pie tin access hole.

Manfred, you might want to check the rubber hoses in the breather lines in the engine compartment, especially the one that is up by the spare tire. It often doesn't get replaced, and I know when I had a full tank, fuel would slosh in those lines and drip into the engine compartment.

vdubyah73 · Post by **vdubyah73** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:55 am

I started smelling gas a couple weeks ago and that was it for me. Really didn't want to have to tear into it again, just did it all 3 years or so ago. Some would say it's time to be proactive and do it again regardless. Not me, I'm procrastinative by nature.

dtrumbo · Post by **dtrumbo** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:02 am

Manfred wrote:How would a gas cap seal push fumes into the bus? Do they go through the intake vents? Oh god, please be that simple. Ordering a new gas cap. Ratwell says only the German, chrome, locking caps seals the best.

The one on there seems like a super cheapo.

This could well be the problem. My wife's bus STINKS like gas, especially after filling up. The spring in the original VW cap was worn out and leaked even with a new custom-made gasket. The next TWO aftermarket (crap) caps have both leaked. I guess I'm hoping to find a NOS German cap for a 1970 bus. That should be easy.

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:06 am

Thanks all. Great info as usual. I hope this isn't a redundant post. I searched the site and didn't find what I needed.

I never checked my parts bus. It might have an original gas cap on it.

chitwnvw · Post by **chitwnvw** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:09 am

Manfred wrote:
I never checked my parts bus. It might have an original gas cap on it.

Isn't that a '73? The cap changed in '74.

Manfred · Post by **Manfred** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:11 am

chitwnvw wrote:
Manfred wrote:
I never checked my parts bus. It might have an original gas cap on it.
Isn't that a '73? The cap changed in '74.

Yes, it's a 73. Of course they did.

chitwnvw · Post by **chitwnvw** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:16 am

Manfred wrote:
chitwnvw wrote:
Manfred wrote:
I never checked my parts bus. It might have an original gas cap on it.
Isn't that a '73? The cap changed in '74.

Yes, it's a 73. Of course they did.

They aren't real expensive. You can even get them at Autozone or Murrays.

dtrumbo · Post by **dtrumbo** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:16 am

Manfred wrote:
chitwnvw wrote:
Manfred wrote:
I never checked my parts bus. It might have an original gas cap on it.
Isn't that a '73? The cap changed in '74.

Yes, it's a 73. Of course they did.

Nothin's easy, is it?

chitwnvw · Post by **chitwnvw** » Mon May 04, 2009 10:18 am

We wouldn't be bonding/commiserating on a forum if it was.

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Gas Odor

Gas Odor