Strong smell of fuel

Afternoon all,

My x reg Mk1 Golf cabrio has recently developed a strong fuel odour. Anyone know of any problem areas which usually occur or where I should start?

Ta.

Apart from obvious checks - i.e. looking for leaking pipes, fuel filler neck, fuel tank etc. I had fuel odour in my MK1 once, it turned out to be the O-ring seal under the sender unit on top of the fuel tank.

If you leak fuel when you fill the tank to the brim but then it stops after a short time/travel then this is probably it

not sure, i think that it is a constant smell. I'll have a butchers and let you know how i get on. Cheers

Hairyarse said

Apart from obvious checks - i.e. looking for leaking pipes, fuel filler neck, fuel tank etc. I had fuel odour in my MK1 once, it turned out to be the O-ring seal under the sender unit on top of the fuel tank.

If you leak fuel when you fill the tank to the brim but then it stops after a short time/travel then this is probably it

ah ha! this is wot i have!

although the oder is still about but not not as strong! i was thinking its leaking at the seams, prob is there are no real leakage signs!

I was surprised how much the old o-ring had ballooned in size! 8O

Hairyarse said

I was surprised how much the old o-ring had ballooned in size! 8O

im on the case!

popped the cover off from under the seat and it does look like its been leaking from the sender and down the outside of the tank!

just gonna go and fill er up now the cover is off and see how much it does leak from there…

can i only get this from vw as i would like this for sunday but im at work…

cheers boss!

aye for real it was the seal!

cheers hairy!

No probs George - isn't it nice when you can get a cheap fix on a golf for a change!! :wink:

tell me about it, i thought i needed a new tank!
hope the gearbox whine will dissapear with the additive i bought too, or is that pushing it!

off to vw for the seal now, wooohoooo!

Do Halfords do a multi-purpose O-ring that fixes all faults with a Golf?? :dontknow:  

Hairyarse said

Do Halfords do a multi-purpose O-ring that fixes all faults with a Golf?? :dontknow:  

  I'm sure they'd say yes though and give you a jubalie clip and say that its round and adjustable!

… see http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2833&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0....

….Just got my new 'O' ring from my local friendly VW Specialist - Volksline' in Canterbury - just over ?50…..!!!!!!!
BUT…..
I did also get a new Ernst rear box….
….AND a set of injector seals…..
….And new air filter…..
….AND……..I HATE going there….always spend more than I intend to….