Smelly Austin 7

[John Mason]

Hi Graham, I have a Mk1 Ruby and also have this petrol smell. I put a couple of comments on that previoustbreae about this. I also renewed the petrol pipe between filler cap and the tank but it did not improve things at all. The smell is strongest just after a fill up of petrol and lessens as the days go by. The smell is worse in the summer with warmer weather evaporating it off quicker. I now believe it comes from the tank vent pipe as this is not sealed in any way. I am against sealing it as this would cause a vacuum in the tank when running and eventually stop the fuel flow. When parked in hot weather it would also possibly damage the tank with the expansion of petrol gases even perhaps an explosion.
I now just put up with it and try to bring it home after a run will the tank almost dry and keep the garage well ventilated. Because of low fuel levels I always carry a gallon can (correct green plastic for unleaded) of petrol in the car.

John Mason