I finally figured out why my '71 Beetle with the 34 PICT 3 carb always smelled of gasoline after driving. The carb gaskets at the top and the base are wicking gasoline to their outside edges!
I bought a carb rebuild kit with new gaskets. Would applying Permatex aviation sealant to the new gaskets a few days prior to assembly be a good or bad idea? Can this stuff withstand gasoline?
Gasoline smell from carburetor
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
Gasoline smell from carburetor
Don
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78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
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78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: Gasoline smell from carburetor
Totally bad idea. There are holes in these gaskets, calibrated orifices on some cases. A fresh gasket with a light application of grease gently worked into the fibers is perfect.vwlover77 wrote:I finally figured out why my '71 Beetle with the 34 PICT 3 carb always smelled of gasoline after driving. The carb gaskets at the top and the base are wicking gasoline to their outside edges!
I bought a carb rebuild kit with new gaskets. Would applying Permatex aviation sealant to the new gaskets a few days prior to assembly be a good or bad idea? Can this stuff withstand gasoline?
This weeping is a perfectly normal consequence of people who refuse to check the tightness of the screws every blue moon or so.
Colin
(I would not necessarily declare that the fuel smell is because of gas weep at the gaskets, keep us posted on any recurrance)
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
Re: Gasoline smell from carburetor
Further investigation showed that the intake manifold boots (the orange ones) apparently became porous over the few years they were installed and gas was migrating its way through them. That's all I can figure as the clamps were all tight. Also, the driver's side manifold gasket at the head showed signs of gas having leaked out around it.
I have now replaced the intake manifold boots and the manifold gaskets and have noticed a HUGE reduction in gas smell.
I have now replaced the intake manifold boots and the manifold gaskets and have noticed a HUGE reduction in gas smell.
Don
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: Gasoline smell from carburetor
Ethanol deterioration?vwlover77 wrote:Further investigation showed that the intake manifold boots (the orange ones) apparently became porous over the few years they were installed and gas was migrating its way through them. That's all I can figure as the clamps were all tight. Also, the driver's side manifold gasket at the head showed signs of gas having leaked out around it.
I have now replaced the intake manifold boots and the manifold gaskets and have noticed a HUGE reduction in gas smell.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- asiab3
- IAC Addict!
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: Gasoline smell from carburetor
My two most recent pairs both leaked after 7-8 months. Adrian @ Headflow Masters told me to try some special Gates 1.5" hose that was a beast to get on, but is holding up nicely. I'll report more formally after a year of use.Amskeptic wrote:Ethanol deterioration?vwlover77 wrote:…intake manifold boots (the orange ones) apparently became porous over the few years they were installed and gas was migrating its way through them.
I have now replaced the intake manifold boots and the manifold gaskets and have noticed a HUGE reduction in gas smell.
Colin
1969 bus, "Buddy."
145k miles with me.
322k miles on Earth.
145k miles with me.
322k miles on Earth.
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: Gasoline smell from carburetor
We should provide feedback to our vendorsasiab3 wrote:My two most recent pairs both leaked after 7-8 months. Adrian @ Headflow Masters told me to try some special Gates 1.5" hose that was a beast to get on, but is holding up nicely. I'll report more formally after a year of use.Amskeptic wrote:Ethanol deterioration?vwlover77 wrote:…intake manifold boots (the orange ones) apparently became porous over the few years they were installed and gas was migrating its way through them.
I have now replaced the intake manifold boots and the manifold gaskets and have noticed a HUGE reduction in gas smell.
Colin
ColinSure
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles