Gas smell

[SeaSkwurrel]

How much gas smell is "normal"? I've got a 350 Chevy with a Rochester 2GC carb, OMC 800 outdrive. The engine's running fine, so I don't think I'm getting excess gas, but I can smell gas when running and I open the engine compartment or when I have the blower going. I can't find any leaks and maybe I'm just paranoid. I did just reset the float level to a higher point than it was before. Could that have any impact?

 

[Don S]

Re: Gas smell

I did just reset the float level to a higher point than it was before. Could that have any impact?

Why did you do that? It could be flooding over.<br />Adjust it to specs and check the float. It may be full of fuel and sinking.<br />Don't just start changing settings unless you know what you are doing and WHY you are doing it, and what the outcome will likely be.

 

[SeaSkwurrel]

Re: Gas smell

I set it to a higher point due to the rebuild kit's instructions. The carb's about 2 years old-I bought it remanufactured. When I did the rebuild (the check balls were frozen), the level and drop were quite different than the kit specs. I used the existing float (the black plastic kind).

 

[SeaSkwurrel]

Re: Gas smell

Does anyone know where I can get float level info for this carb-I'm thinking the rebuild info may be incorrect. The carb# is 17086107.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Gas smell

If you are having trouble with that carb, its rebuilt, you smell gas, its in a boat.....well, they all add up to a new carb.....don't cut corners.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Gas smell

I have a slightly different opinion. If the float level is too high, or you have a carb problem (that isn't leaking gas into the bilge), then the engine should either be absorbing the gas or running too rich and smoking. If you are smelling gas in the engine room, that tells me you do have a leak. Trust me on this one.... gas leaks can't be ruled out by looking into the engine room. You have to follow the entire fuel route from tank to carb. If in doubt, tie a paper towel around any suspected component and see if it gets wet. Take a flashlight and look at the top of your intake manifold. When your engine is running, that is a large vacuume cleaner, any vapors from the carb are sucked into the engine, if you are still smelling gas, you have a leak.

 

[SeaSkwurrel]

Re: Gas smell

Good points waterone1. I'll look harder.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[man-of-war]

Re: Gas smell

You might want to check your oil to see if it smells like gas as well. Just a suggestion