Have you plugged the drain hole for the electric antenna? That's near the exhaust.

4 minutes ago, SteveJ said:

Have you plugged the drain hole for the electric antenna? That's near the exhaust.

i did have it plugged but since a month ago i have put in the electric antenna and hooked it up. As far the hatch goes it has to be 99% good and tight. There may be a small spot or two the eye cant see where there is a gap.

I read in other very old posts a couple things. 1 person replaced all the fuel lines and gaskets on and near the fuel tank including the filler neck and gas cap seal. No more smell since. Another said their issue showed up when they changed a downward tip to an MSA tip. 

If i can find cheaply a downward tip i may  add one on with some high temp tape and go around the block and see the effect. 

Time to go Bozo!

I replaced all my fuel lines at the tank because I discovered a leak only when the fuel pump would turn on after sitting more than 2 days. It helped the smell quite a bit. I have no carpet in the rear hatch. Just noise.

20 hours ago, Reptoid Overlords said:

Time to go Bozo!

I replaced all my fuel lines at the tank 
 

Did you replace the neck filler too?

after you got all hoses off were you able to see any particular issue with any hose or clamp?

Did you replace the neck filler too?
after you got all hoses off were you able to see any particular issue with any hose or clamp?

Yes. I replaced the filler neck. My car is a ZX, not sure if the S30 filler neck is different, This was about 3 years ago.

The problem I was having was that when the fuel pump turned on, a check valve located along the evap circuit would begin leaking fuel, then somehow seal itself again after running for a minute. Number 9 in this diagram. Took pictures but I must've deleted them.

Most all of the rubber lines were showing signs of advanced ageing. I do not have my carbon canister installed, and I can barely, if ever, really smell fuel.

59 minutes ago, Reptoid Overlords said:

The problem I was having was that when the fuel pump turned on, a check valve located along the evap circuit would begin leaking fuel, then somehow seal itself again after running for a minute. 
 

thats very interesting.  I have recently read of others having issues with the fuel pump not operating properly and thus they attributed it to some of the smell issues. I am wondering the root cause and if it a new pump may be an answer.

I re-read the whole post and realized that my issue was pertaining to the ZX(and 280z I guess), which has the fuel pump located in the fuel tank.

Isn't your cars fuel pump bolted to the side of the head? I'm not at all familiar with the carbureted cars. I apologize if I clouded the troubleshooting process.

13 minutes ago, Reptoid Overlords said:

Isn't your cars fuel pump bolted to the side of the head? I'm not at all familiar with the carbureted cars. I apologize if I clouded the troubleshooting process.

Yes on side of head. No worries man

Yeah the efi cars use high pressure pumps which pump about 40 to 50lbs until the pressure regulator. That kind of pressure will find a loose connection or split in a hurry.