95 Cabriolet Gas fumes problem
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Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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95 Cabriolet Gas fumes problem
Haven't been on the forums in a while; that's because I have been busy with work and haven't had any problems with the old Cabriolet...
Only repair I have had to make in recent months was a replacement of the coolant overflow resovoir - it sprung a leak that I couldn't contain with any sealant, luckily the dealer had a NOS one for only about $75.
But there has been an issue creeping up on me - gas fumes smell.
If I open the trunk after being closed for a day or more, the smell is strong. If I leave the windows closed for a while, it smells in the cab to, I am guessing it is entering from the trunk.
I tool the car up the other day and went under looking for any fuel leaks. I cannot find a drop or even a hint of wetness anywhere, running or not running: from the tank all the way to the front - nada.
I changed the fuel filter because a) I haven't, and it looked a bit old, and b) I had a theory that maybe it was blocked and caused back pressure to the tank.
But no change.
Anyone run into this problem or have any thoughts? I am not sure what else to do short of dropping the tank down and looking for holes on the top of it - again no leaks that I can see underside, but there must be some exposure to open air from the top of the tank?
Thanks ahead.
Only repair I have had to make in recent months was a replacement of the coolant overflow resovoir - it sprung a leak that I couldn't contain with any sealant, luckily the dealer had a NOS one for only about $75.
But there has been an issue creeping up on me - gas fumes smell.
If I open the trunk after being closed for a day or more, the smell is strong. If I leave the windows closed for a while, it smells in the cab to, I am guessing it is entering from the trunk.
I tool the car up the other day and went under looking for any fuel leaks. I cannot find a drop or even a hint of wetness anywhere, running or not running: from the tank all the way to the front - nada.
I changed the fuel filter because a) I haven't, and it looked a bit old, and b) I had a theory that maybe it was blocked and caused back pressure to the tank.
But no change.
Anyone run into this problem or have any thoughts? I am not sure what else to do short of dropping the tank down and looking for holes on the top of it - again no leaks that I can see underside, but there must be some exposure to open air from the top of the tank?
Thanks ahead.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 19
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From: Boston, MA
I bet a banjo bolt or something is leaking on top of the fuel pump assembly. Here's how to look;
Fold down your rear passenger seat. Fold back the carpet in the trunk, this should reveal a circular lid held down by 3 screws. When you remove the lid, the fuel pump access and lines are revealed.
I'm sure as soon as you remove the metal lid you'll know if it's leaking there.
Fold down your rear passenger seat. Fold back the carpet in the trunk, this should reveal a circular lid held down by 3 screws. When you remove the lid, the fuel pump access and lines are revealed.
I'm sure as soon as you remove the metal lid you'll know if it's leaking there.
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No folding of the cab seat.
Sllack, CRAZY Russian did a write-up recently on repairing the wires on the fuel level sensor. Look for it, and you'll see pictures of the area that Flyingscott is refering too. He's right. That is definitely the area that the smell is coming from. But the area isn't accessed by folding down the seat. You actually have to go in through the trunk.
Sllack, CRAZY Russian did a write-up recently on repairing the wires on the fuel level sensor. Look for it, and you'll see pictures of the area that Flyingscott is refering too. He's right. That is definitely the area that the smell is coming from. But the area isn't accessed by folding down the seat. You actually have to go in through the trunk.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Charlotte, NC
Sllack - I've had the same problem for some time on my '95 Cab and was getting ready to query the forum too. It's not exactly fumes, more of just a slight aroma. I'm going after it next month and figure it out. Im thinking it creeps into the cabin through the convertible top compartment. My first step was going to be to change the fuel filter, which I haven't done and don't know if it has ever been done. Keep me posted on what you find. I'm hoping it is not a gasket at the top of the fuel tank as I've read that you can screw up the quantity sender if you don't remove it correctly. I remember Crazy R's write up, too. Post the link when you find it.
Last edited by hubturn; Jan 8, 2012 at 07:19 PM.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 19
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From: Boston, MA
Ah, didn't think about not being able to fold down rear seats in a cabriolet.
When I put a new fuel pump in my '95 90q I had the luxury of working through the rear passenger seat instead of crawling through the trunk.
Here are a couple expanded pictured that might help you find what you are looking for:
http://www.auto-parts.spb.ru/cat/au/...FW65Kvcx3xeMI=
http://www.auto-parts.spb.ru/cat/au/...jxk6jXe1eZIgw=
When I put a new fuel pump in my '95 90q I had the luxury of working through the rear passenger seat instead of crawling through the trunk.
Here are a couple expanded pictured that might help you find what you are looking for:
http://www.auto-parts.spb.ru/cat/au/...FW65Kvcx3xeMI=
http://www.auto-parts.spb.ru/cat/au/...jxk6jXe1eZIgw=
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 39
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Thanks and that makes alot of sense. That access is in the trunk under the spare tire, right?
Crazy Russian, or anyone else if you have it can you please link me to the post on fuel level sensor wires? Having a hard time finding it.
Crazy Russian, or anyone else if you have it can you please link me to the post on fuel level sensor wires? Having a hard time finding it.
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Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
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Problem maybe solved.
I found the sending unit under the top boot carpeting, and the smell was def. coming from it, although there was no leakage.
What is weird is I would expect to see a locking ring around it, but there was none... anyway if people have pictures of theirs I would be glas to see it.
See attachment.
So the fix seems to be silicone sealant, I dont see how it can harm it, since when it hardens it is fairly easy to remove if I need to service it later... and right now all I smell is the drying sealant, no gas.
Permatex clear rtv silicone is what I used, FYI.
I found the sending unit under the top boot carpeting, and the smell was def. coming from it, although there was no leakage.
What is weird is I would expect to see a locking ring around it, but there was none... anyway if people have pictures of theirs I would be glas to see it.
See attachment.
So the fix seems to be silicone sealant, I dont see how it can harm it, since when it hardens it is fairly easy to remove if I need to service it later... and right now all I smell is the drying sealant, no gas.
Permatex clear rtv silicone is what I used, FYI.
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you need that rings, most of silicone sealant is not made to be exposed to fuel, and will disintegrate as soon as it gets fuel on it. stfa fuel level sender repair (i think that's how i named it)