Do all spiders smell of fuel?

[GeorgeB]

I have a 1971 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe and recently have the same problem in the trunk area. Have replaced all 3 black fuel lines to the liquid-vapor separator and plugged the clear fuel vapor line that goes to the white two way valve, since the activated carbon canister in the engine compartment has been disconnected and the line plugged (on purpose) for years. Also replaced the larger clear fuel line hose and the large black filler hose. The tank was pressure tested and passed as well as the locking fuel cap. The black rubber fuel lines under the car seem OK. I am guessing that it's the liquid-vapor separator or some very tiny leak in the fuel tank seams or around the large metal filler pipe area. ???? George B. Albuquerque
PS. I may hook back up the carbon canister in the engine compartment to have a correct system.

[jimincalif]

Jim,

Did you ever cure your gas smell? I'm having the same problem. Where is the one way valve? Did you ever solve your problem?

Thanks,
Ralph

Hi Ralph,

Don't know if you followed the other thread about my gas tank, but it has now been a week since I reinstalled it and there is no gas smell in the trunk. Tank had lots of rust, clogged the pump, I pulled the tank and had it cleaned and sealed with the "renu" process. While out I changed the pickup and return hoses, the 2" filler hose and the overflow hose, I'd already changed out the 3 vent hoses. I reused my sender and gasket with some sealant on it.

So, it could have been any of these hoses, or the tank itself. If I had to guess, I would suspect the 2" filler hose, even now after 4 weeks since I drained the tank, the old filler hose still has a faint gas smell on the outside surface.

On the filler hose I reused the orginal wire style clamps as the wires overlap, elsewhere I either reused the wire clamps or used FI-type clamps.

Hope this helps. You can replace the filler hose with a Gates 24717 with a 90 elbow. I had to trim it a little, the legs are a bit long.

Jim

[giuliot60]

Jim.

Is your car still free of gas smell?

I'm getting that smell and would lie to take care of it.

Curious.

Thanks.

GT

[sptcoupe]

THe smell of raw gas near the gas tank is frequently a poorly connected or old and brittle filler hose (the one that runs between the filler and the tank. Often they are not tightly connected at the top, and when they get old, the fumes escape. And more often than not, the hose is just old and has cracks you can't see from a visual inspection while on the car. I just recently had this issue on the coupe. The 8 year old hose looked fine, was tightly connected, fine. but experience told me to replace the hose and the problem ceased as soon as I made the change.

This problem will cause a strong raw gas smel in the garage in the morning, and will get sucked inot the cabin while underway

[giuliot60]

Thanks spt.

From what I've been reading, that appears to be the case, or at least part of it.

Where did you get your hose from?

I've found a Gates 24717 Fuel Hose, 2"- 90 Degree ($20), and a NAPA hose, part number 1047 ($36).

[sptcoupe]

Make sure you get the correct hose. Just a slight difference makes it a real PITA to out on. I got mine from Csaba at Autoricambi.

[giuliot60]

Some of the guys on mirafiori.com recommended a Gates, Napa, and Goodyear hose. I found the Gates on Amazon for $20. I may go for it, but I will definitely check out what AR has before I do.

[profcucchi]

Some of the guys on mirafiori.com recommended a Gates, Napa, and Goodyear hose. I found the Gates on Amazon for $20. I may go for it, but I will definitely check out what AR has before I do.

Good afternoon, everyone.

I have the gas smell too.

Are the clips a specialty item or should Napa have them in stock, as well? Is there anything else besides the filler hose that should be replaced since I'm under there already?

Lastly, is this something that can be done once the car is jacked up? I have a manual but it lacks info about changing hoses.

Thanks,
CCucchi

[4uall]

Canadian Tire (Partsource) will have all you need, be sure to get FI hoses

Here is a good post

http://forum.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtop ... ES#p116434

[profcucchi]

Canadian Tire (Partsource) will have all you need, be sure to get FI hoses

Here is a good post

http://forum.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtop ... ES#p116434

Thanks is a perfect reply. I as going to post pics but the afterpics are exactly what I shot.
The hoses I have are the canvas covered ones and they stink. The cracks must be in there.

I never knew Partsource was CT until an owner told me last week.

Hopefully this corrects the fuel smell.

[giuliot60]

You need 2.5" double wire clamps for the fuel filler hose. I found a set of 5 online.

[spider2081]

On my son-in-laws 1980 and my 1981 ( both FI) the fuel return lines were leaking at the fuel tank. Both had small holes right at the clamp. Cut the hoses back about one inch and problem solved till hoses are replaced.

[4uall]

Canadian Tire (Partsource) will have all you need, be sure to get FI hoses

Here is a good post

http://forum.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtop ... ES#p116434

Thanks is a perfect reply. I as going to post pics but the afterpics are exactly what I shot.
The hoses I have are the canvas covered ones and they stink. The cracks must be in there.

I never knew Partsource was CT until an owner told me last week.

Hopefully this corrects the fuel smell.

Partsource usually has better sale prices than Canadian Tire...........................................true story

[Kta124]

Hi there,

Not sure this post is the perfect post to ask but, it's the best I found so far!!
I just bough a 1978 carbureted that smelled fuel a little bit, I checked in my engine bay and found two 5/16" hoses changed by the PO with a small leak... One is between the fuel filter and the carburetor, and the other one from the carburetor to what I believe is the return to the tank. I also had a small tank overpressure at that time, and even though it is not normal it seems like I could look into that after solving the leaks. I bought other 5/16" hoses to replace this hoses, but they seemed loose and too big for the fitting. Kind of intrigued, every literature i found says to use 5/16" or 8mm, I replaced the one on the return line with a smaller hose 3/16".

I pushed hard and got a very nice tight hose. Bad idea... an older hose blew off just downstream and the tank overpressure even got worth! Then logics told me that the leak was maybe due to that overpressure and not that hose being too big...

I am calling for your experience here so I can figure out where and what to look for.
If I understand, there is the vapor/liquid separator in the trunk, the check valve under the trunk and the charcoal canister that need checking. I am sort of a newbie on 124 and car mechanic in general... It does not scare me but, but if some one have a DYI procedure to share on how to inspect these It would be great.

Also I did not figured yet how to share a picture on the forum, but I am wondering also about that small blue one circled in the picture at the link below.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/48032i787f8im ... marked.jpg

Thanks a lot!

[Kta124]

I got a chance to look at this on sunday, the overpressure seems to be coming from the check valve that was clogged with a greyish grease. Not sure how it could have ended here, and I will see overtime if that was it! will let you guys know.