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Gas smell
#1
1972MBGGT Sandy Irvine
Canada   CAN
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Looking for some help...

I have a 1972 MGB GT that has a strong smell of petrol in the cabin. I use to think it found its way in from the engine bay. But, I seem to recall there was a gasket that had the potential to collect gas around the top of the tank. Does anyone have any suggestions about the source and a fix for the smell?

Thanks.

Sandy

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Re: Gas smell
#2
Bankerdanny Avatar
Bankerdanny Daniel Palmer
Chicagoland, USA   USA
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1972 MG MGB GT "Dudley"
1976 Honda MC CB750F
Have you checked the condition of the charcoal cannister that is in the engine compartment upper left corner (facing in from the grill). Eventually the charcoal loses its ability to absorb fuel vapor. There could also be leaks where the hoses attach.

I rebuilt mine years ago, it is easy to do. The activated charcoal can be purchased from any store that sells fish tank supplies.


Endeavor to Persevere

"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

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Re: Gas smell
#3
BlWarmuth Avatar
BlWarmuth Gold Member Brian Warmuth
Wheeling WV and Gulfport FL, WV and FL, USA   USA
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1948 MG TC
1951 MG TD
1958 MG Magnette ZB
1958 MG MGA 1500    & more
Top of gas tank rusted!

Brian W.

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Re: Gas smell
#4
Acollin Avatar
Acollin Andrew Collin
Sandy, OR, USA   USA
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The first two suggestions are both very possible
However:

When I had a fuel smell in my 1972 mgb gt, I needed to replace the lines that came from the vapor separator. Under your rear hatch and to the right of the spare tire - as you are looking from the rear to the front of the car- is a roundish grey disc that is affixed to the inner rear fender. I replaced all (2) the old lines with new and the smell was gone.

Know that neither the vapor separator nor the lines are available as pieces to buy new . The separator itself is most likely still good and the lines were made from bits you can pickup most anywhere.

Follow your nose. It will lead to where your problem exists.
Good hunting / sniffing.

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Re: Gas smell
#5
tom1970MGB Avatar
tom1970MGB Gold Member Thomas Capobianco
Seattle, WA, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB "College Car"
1973 MG MGB GT "Odyssey"
Check line (if one) from gas tank vent to vapor separator and then to canister in motor area. Lines could be clogged. Buy new lines from auto store with ability to handle ethanol gas.


Tom C.

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Re: Gas smell
#6
Gallowglass Avatar
Gallowglass Mark M
San Francisco, CA, USA   USA
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1973 MG MGB "Stuart"
Check for overflow from the Carbs...a common source of leaks. Any signs of wet on the floor under car?

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Re: Gas smell
#7
GeeJay Avatar
GeeJay Silver Member Geoff James
Coromandel, Waikato, New Zealand   NZL
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1972 MG MGB GT
Sandy,
I have a '72 BGT ex-UK. It was restored by the previous owner in 2018 so I haven't done anything like fuel tank removal to look at hidden connections. However, I also get a petrol smell but only when the fuel tank is reasonably full. Does yours smell all the time? I initially thought that the rubber hose connecting the filler cap to the tank was the culprit, allowing slight leakage when fuel was sloshing around. I replaced it and whilst there may have been a slight improvement, it still happens now and again. As long as I don't fill the tank more than the 3/4 mark on the gauge, it doesn't happen often enough to be a major irritant so I'm not worried about getting to the root cause at present. Good luck with your problem solving!

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Re: Gas smell
#8
Bealey Avatar
Bealey Silver Member Joe & Barb Hahn
Wenatchee, WA, USA   USA
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1971 MG MGB "Bealey"
1974 MG MGB GT
"The separator itself is most likely still good"

When redoing our '71 roadster, and I was deciding what to do about the vapor recovery system, I removed the paint off the separator and discovered that the lower portion of it was full of pinholes where it was rusting from the inside out. No outward indication that was happening.

J

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