Gas Smell

[ChallengerHK]

Every since the last time I took the Challenger out I've had a pretty strong gas smell in the garage.  the fuel line seems solid, the vapor separator tubes are blocked off, and the tank is relatively new and solid.

I have a Holley 4160.  Back in the day I know that Holleys were famous for blowing the power valve, but Holley says that they've fixed that problem with a checkball valve. 1) Is this true? 2) If the power valve was blown, would the gas smell vent to the outside of the carb or the inside? 3) Is there a source of fuel smell that I'm not accounting for?

[matt63]

A blown power valve would be an internal leak.  Every time I have smelled fuel when the car sits it has been a leak at the tank/electric pump.  A small leak might evaporate rather than puddle - depends on temps.

[Chryco Psycho]

the carb vents out the breather tubes inside the A/C , I hope the tank is vented somewhere or you will have other problems

[ChallengerHK]

the carb vents out the breather tubes inside the A/C , I hope the tank is vented somewhere or you will have other problems

For the carb venting, would there be any condition that would cause it to suddenly worsen? It used to be that if I drove the car, parked it and closed the garage door I could detect a faint odor of exhaust.  Now I can smell a LOT of gas.

For the tank, if it was pressurizing wouldn't there be a strong hiss when I removed the gas cap?

[dodge freak 2]

Well it still might have a small little vent. My car is in the garage and my gas cap makes no noise when I remove it.

Maybe your gas cap is leaking really bad, has it ever been changed.

The leak might be where you don't see it hit the ground. If the cap seems good or you could just cover it and see if it gets better-I would get under the car and look with a FLASH LIGHT only, no bulb that gets very hot or a lighter which you could blow the place up-and look at the whole gas line from the tank to the front. Look at the gas tank too.

I seen 2 leaks in the past, 1 on top of the gas tank where the tail pipe rub a hole in it and I seen a pin hole leak in the steel gas line. The rubber hoses could leak too.

You need to fix it fast or keep it outside, thats a bomb that could go off with 1 little spark.

[dodge freak 2]

Your carb could be leaking too, thats why you see no gas, or the fuel line going to the carb. Should not be too hard to find. Maybe air the garage out 5 mins then start the car up for 1-2 mins then take a flash light and look everywhere gas could be, if you smell gas it must be strong, most likely a leak somewhere.

Gas is pretty tough before it catches fire, I seen it drip on a hot intake with no problems, but when it ever does catch on fire, it goes so fast its not funny at all, you need to run for your life. so be careful and air the garage out.

[cudabob496]

Get a lighter and go around looking for the leak. Just kidding. Places I've had leaks in my 72 Cuda are the fuel pump, vapor collection system (little tubes coming off the back of the gas tank), gas cap not sealing, inlet lines and fittings to the carb, and gas tank sending unit seal gasket.