Porsche Repair: Porsche repair, smog control, porsche repair

Question
I just bought a "creampuff" 1984 944 from the original owner who maintained the car meticulously for the last 20 years. However, the first time I filled the gas tank completely, the smell of gas inside the car was almost unbearable. I know the fill tube goes through the rear luggage area. Is the a chronic problem with the 944 with this? Any idea what causes this or what to do?  

Answer
Hi Terry.

The creampuff turns out to be smelly.  UGH!  Let's hope this is the only surprise youi'll ever have to worry about.  

For GOD's sake, don't light a match looking for the gas leak.

This will be painless but a bit of patience will be in order.  

You've got to expose the fuel filler neck and all the rubber fuel lines that go from the fuel filler area into the fuel tank and back towards the engine.  There will be at least two lines, probably in the 5/16" to 3/8" size range.  One of these lines provides an air escape route when you pump gas into the tank.  As the gasoline goes into the tank, the air in the tank has to go somewhere.  In your case the air is escaping into the passenger compartment rather than going into the piping that leads to the charcoal cannister/evaporative fuel/EPA-approved-smog-control-device.  

Since all the lines are exposed I'd replace them all and use new clamps.  Once you've done this, this job will probably never have to be done again in your lifetime.

Dave