MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
When I lift the trunk lid in my 1979 MGB, there is a noticeable gasoline odor. My guess is this is either a loose or bad rubber hose at the filler neck or a rust hole somewhere on the top of the tank. Is there an easy way to check for a rust hole other than removing the tank?
Also check the hoses that go to your canister on the passenger side of the trunk. I seriously doubt a bad rubber hose at the filler neck (that's pretty thick rubber) but you may be on target about rust holes in the top of the tank.
Does the smell increase when you fill up? With a full tank of gas do you notice gas coming down the sides? Other than that, there's really no other way of know if you have rust without removing the tank.
Fortunately, it's a pretty easy job. Remove all the nuts from the underside first, then get your floor jack and a piece of wood under the tank, and removing the top bolts. Remove the filler neck, and fuel lines and lower your jack. Having a buddy around helps, but not necessary.
Installation is the reverse.
I have the same issue in my '79B. As an alternate check, pull the line going into the fuel filter. If the gas going in is rust tinged, you have your answer. (mine was). Good luck. I'd be interested in anything you find.
Craig Kubiak
'79B
99.99999% of the time it's one of the hoses at the separator in the trunk. As Steve suggested check them first. In the later models they were hard plastic and are real subject to break. One of them comes off the vent tube next to the filler neck.
no, except if the smell goes away as the tank uses up the gas....get it replaced quick...those fumes are setting you up to be a bomb. Any static, or spark and you will light up the road. Don't fool with it.
If you still have the anti-run-on valve installed (right side near the firewall), just put your finger over the end of the larger hose that goes from the bottom of the valve and through the panel near the right side of the radiator. The engine should die immediately. If not, you've got an air leak somewhere in the vapor recovery system.
Tom, or anyone else, do you know where I can get the original or new version of the braided hoses for the separator? I am sure mine must have a small crack in them that I can not find since I get the fuel smell in the trunk too. Would like to replace them, but I don't see anyone selling them? I suppose you could just replace them with rubber fuel hose and use clamps instead of screwed on fittings???
TIA
With the exception of ordering the hoses, I don't know where you can buy them locally. Just a rubber hose and clamps will work fine.
You can't order them. Take your old hoses to your parts house and have them rebuild them by crimping new braided lines onto your hard parts.
