Smell of gas

Message

lepton · #1 Post by **lepton** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:58 am

Hi everyone. I have recently had a 1990 Mercedes 300SE converted to LPG. The interior of the car really stinks of gas when filling, despite the doors and windows being closed, and the windows have to be kept open for at least 10 minutes afterwards for the smell to dissipate. The interior also smells slightly of gas when left unused for a few hours. Is this a common problem or do I have a leak somewhere?

richy_boy · #2 Post by **richy_boy** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:00 am

You'll be wanting your fitter to come round and check for leaks then. Mine did a simular thing when it was first fitted, yet took 3 visits to find 'all' the leaks!! It's probably a leak in the boot where the tank is, so don't just ignore it, especially if you're a smoker <IMG SRC="http://www.my90.co.uk/lpgforum/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> Rich

richy_boy · #3 Post by **richy_boy** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:02 am

Oh, and mine was EXACTLY the same... smelt when I had just filled up and when I left the car overnight. I'd sometimes get a 'wiff' of it when I walked around the back too <IMG SRC="http://www.my90.co.uk/lpgforum/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0> I *think* it was the shutoff valve in my tordial (sp?!) tank that was leaking.. or at least one of the solid pipe connections going to it. Rich

volvo940 · #4 Post by **volvo940** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:22 pm

Well I can never smell gas, except when disconnecting the fill hose, never in the car and my tank is under the back loading area (spare wheel tank, estate car) so it's in the car, even when I lift the cover, not a trace. Get a leak detector spray from a plumbing shop or a brush and fairy liquid mix (sorry for the blatant advertising) But whatever, get it fixed!! or we may have even less insurance companys covering LPG

volvo940 · #5 Post by **volvo940** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:26 pm

First place to check is the pipe from the filler to the tank, probably one of the connectors is leaking

sm200sx · #6 Post by **sm200sx** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 1:26 pm

Mine only smells of gas if you stand at the back of the car while its runing, I'd say you have a leak.

tore · #7 Post by **tore** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 8:12 pm

If the filler unit has been mounted on the bodywork check on the other side to ensure that the installer has fitted a rubber boot (complete with clips) to isolate the filler from the interior of the vehicle. If you check the connection on the filler unit and on the tank as soon as you finish filling up you should be able to see the connections all frosted over (check while filling up if you are with someone that can press the button at the pump while you do it). In any case you should not smell gas inside the vehicle.

lepton · #8 Post by **lepton** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:48 pm

Thanks Everyone. I returned the car to the garage this morning, they tightened the connection to the filler unit as Salvatore suggested and the problem appears to be sorted.

steve_96 · #10 Post by **steve_96** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:33 am

See 'Cars that Smell of gas' in archive of this site (over last 4 yrs) or on our own site under 'LPG motoring hints'. In brief, most 'smells of gas' are not caused by a leak at all, only very few. If you still think you have a leak, then we are always ready to check any car for leaks FOC. Regards Steve <a href="http://www.go-lpg.co.uk" target=_top>www.go-lpg.co.uk</a>

brianm · #11 Post by **brianm** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:09 pm

Leaking joints or not, there still shoudn't be a smell of gas inside of the vehicle. All gas fittings and pipework should be totaly enclosed in airtight enclosures, vented downwards to the outside of the vehicle.