Well, I still have a pretty good sense of smell--can't say the same for my
hearing and eyesight, unfortunately--but neither of my Healeys (100M and BJ8)
smell of fuel. If I smelled gasoline I would find the source of the smell--like
I did when the boot of the BJ8 smelled of gasoline (pinhole leaks, tank
replaced, smell gone). Nor do I get a puddle of gas under the carburettors
(oil, well, that's another story).
The only thing I can think of that would cause overflow is the fuel 'boiling'
in the float bowls at shutdown. I've driven the BJ8 in 115degF heat and not had
this problem, although I am experiencing a bit of vapor lock on hot starts that
I didn't used to get. This may or may not be due to the newer fuel formulations
(i.e. 10% ethanol).
I doubt the volatility of fuel is much different in the UK--internal combustion
gasoline engines require a minimum volatility in order to function, and the
maximum volatility is limited by environmental considerations--fuel that
evaporates too quickly does no one any good (fuel volatility is usually given
as Reid Vapor Pressure). In CA, at least, fuels are formulated to be more
volatile in the winter--for cold starting--than in the summer--to limit smog
(UK fuel may be equivalent to CA winter blends).
Anyone else have Healeys that smell of fuel? Am I just lucky, or have the VOC
receptors in my nose been fried? Is this an endemic European problem? I haven't
been around any Healeys in good nick that smelled of gas--burning oil, well,
that's another topic (but I haven't smelled any Healeys in Europe).
bs
--------------------------------
Bob Spidell - San Jose, CA
Bob
All I say is that unless we can go back to less volatile fuel here in
the UK or insulate the pump and pipes over the exhaust pipe, then
vaporised fuel as a gas has to come out of the carburettor overflow
vents. This creates a smell. I agree that this is potentially dangerous
and the only saving grace on a 100 with an 'M' style airbox is that
these overflow fumes are drawn back into the engine.
Regards
>If your Healey 'smells like a gas tank' there's something wrong (and
>possibly a fire hazard).
>
>bs
--
John Harper
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