Introduction

[joakcal]

Hi:

I am a new member from California. I have just purchased a 72 Z and noted that there is a slight gasoline or exhaust smell inside the car. I have not found any leaks in the fuel system or the exhaust system. I have had a 73 before and I don't recall having that problem. Does any of you have any experience with that? Any suggestion on what I should check next. Thanks.

[Travel'n Man]

Welcome to the site and the true joy of driving!!

Pull your passenger rear quarter panel and your rear tail light panel. Odds are your fuel lines behind those panels are old and brittle - replace and you should be good to go. Exhaust and fuel smells are different......right? Exhaust would be while the car is running and fuel would be while the car is sitting (not started).........all IMO.

[StephenJ]

I could smell a bit of exhaust in the morning when letting it warm up. I replaced the rear hatch seals.....no more smell.

[240260280z]

You can also take the inside panel off the rear hatch and seal the big hole by cutting polyethylene plastic "Vapor barrier" and affixing it with silicone or similar sealant.

[esmit208]

WELCOME JOAKCAL

Travel'n Man is right on about the rotted fuel vapor lines. To replace all of them it might be better to drop the fuel tank. One line runs into the deck on the drivers side of the car and attaches to the tank just above where the muffler is and it has an elbow. It is common for this particular spot to rot due to constant heat from the muffler. I have seen people try to replace them without removing the tank but they have horror stories to tell afterwards. Fuel tank removal is generally not a big deal. And as StephenJ said that rear hatch seal can allow fumes to enter as well. Good Luck!

[Travel'n Man]

.............some people say to extend your exhaust tip out beyond the rear bumper............I say "what the hell, it's a sportscar!!" Crack a window or speed up!!

[Gary in NJ]

I thought the fuel and exhaust smell were part of the ambiance. Now I have something else to fix

Welcome to the club joakcal.

[joakcal]

Thankyou for the leads. Will look into the lines, most likely culprit.

Ambiance was good until the smell moved from the garage into the house

[grantf]

this question is older than the tuna salad in the bottom vegetable drawer of my fridge.

[d240zx2]

Oooooh.... That's old...