my P/Van smells like petrol?! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

davway · 03-31-2004, 01:41

got a permit today to drive my panelvan so i can get it on the road (hopefully rego will be the 8th) so i went and filled up. have put petrol in before but this time the whole inside has a petrol smell. its not bad enough to gag on but it is clearly there. its got a full tank and no it didnt over flow. as far as i can tell the tank isnt leaking so why is there a smell in the car??
is this just normal for vans?
didnt stop me from sparkin a ciggy in the car so i guess it isnt that bad as im still here.
on another note i have to replace my front coil spring and have been told it is a bitch of a job to do yourself. if i go to KMart and by 2 spring compressors or something then can i do it myself or is it still beyond a backyards capabilities??
looking to pay at least $60 to get it fitted and the damn spring only cost $20 in the first place.
anyone done one before???

Dellboy999 · 03-31-2004, 01:50

with spring compressors its a simplish job, if you can manage a spanner :)

XLR8 · 03-31-2004, 03:07

Does it smell more when you go around corners?? i had similar prob with my ute and it was a faulty fuel cap. New cap and no smell......

Trav 351 · 03-31-2004, 03:28

My EA wagon sometimes has a petrol smell inside the car. I think mostly warm days tho.
Another thing, sometimes when i remove the fuel cap, some pressure is released & makes a sshhh sound. Any idea what that is?

AusXH · 03-31-2004, 03:45

My mate had a strong petrol smell in his XF pano. We pulled the cover off in the back and found that some of the bolts that held the top half of the tank on were abit loose. Tightened them up and it was all good.

But as XLR8 said, the fuel caps on these models are known for leaking also.

davway · 03-31-2004, 04:30

havent noticed the fuel cap leaking and it wasnt really hot today either. it doesnt really get worse going around corners or anything its mainly noticable when you leave the car for a bit then get it. once it airs out abit its fine...till next time you leave it and get in again.
i think i will pull the cover off and have a look at the tank as AusXH suggested.
ill get some spring compessors tomorrow and have a shot as im getting a car manual as well (like they ever help). getting new carpet for the front as well so when thats in im putting in another bench seat thats material covered instead of the shitty vinyl.
might even put it in for a RWC (even though i havent touched the rust) and just do whatevers on the list instead of wasting time and money on what i think needs doing.
thanks for all ya help!!