pungent smell of petrol

Post by **rijl** » 10 Sep 2004 08:05 pm

Our e reg goes fine. No running problems, starts well, and is seemingly using about the right amount of fuel. Whenevertheengine is turned off, though, there is a strong smell of petrol.....can't trace it at all. Any ideas, please?

Post by **wjp01908** » 10 Sep 2004 09:11 pm

Have you tried checking under the bonnet while the engine is running?

Sometimes petrol evaporates so quickly that it is difficult to spot where a leak may be, especially if it`s a small one and things are a bit warm.

Check that all the screws and bungs on the carb are snug esp. on the 1.4 Weber

Generally speaking, fuel lines on 340`s tend to be a weak point - every one I`ve owned has needed some attention in this area: mostly in the pipework around the expansion tank and fuel tank proper.

Post by **KeithB** » 12 Sep 2004 09:43 pm

Check under bonnet while the engine is running. The rubber fuel hoses can crack and then leak but you may not notice once the engine is turned off as the petrol evaporates. Very easy and cheap to fix

Post by **V6 Man** » 12 Sep 2004 09:53 pm

Mine had the fuel tank breather blocked and thus used to leak fuel out of the filler cap, because it happened in summer it used to evaporate quickly leaving no trace but there was still the smell.

Post by **foggyjames** » 13 Sep 2004 02:30 am

It might be worth checking the top of the fuel tank hasn't rusted out - a common problem with the fluted top of the 340 tank. I think its unlikely, as this would smell all the time, but its a quick one to check!

cheers

James

Post by **wjp01908** » 13 Sep 2004 09:07 pm

That`s very true.

It`s worth spraying some Waxoyl or similar up on top of the tank

Will