Fuel Smell Inside Car XJ-S Convertible

[glenn1411]

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice please,??
i have recently purchased a 1989 Model Year Convertible V12
and there is a STRONG smell of fuel inside the car,however the boot does not smell of fuel,ive had the floor carpets out in the boot,and there is no sign of a leak, ive noticed a small hole near the fuel filler neck in the bodywork when the fuel cap is open is this a vent of somekind.? and are there any other vents that could be blocked that anyone knows of please,??Ive noticed a WHOOSH,!! of releasing pressure when the fuel cap is opened,im not sure if this is related,i own a 1981 model H.E, coupe also and i dont think the sound is as intense on that car when opening the fuel cap.Again im not sure if this is related to the fuel smell inside the car or not,
any comments or advice would be appreciated
kind regards
Glenn, West Yorkshire.

[dhdove]

Glenn1411
Hi and welcome to the site....

As I remember 1980's cars were subject to a recall re fuel tank breathers.....hence the whoosh.....some were done and some not. The breather system is complicated and you need to check it out in the Parts/Servicing manual to understand it.
The hole you can see in the filler neck is a drain to earth for spilt fuel when filling, if this has holed/perished it could be leaking your spills into the body of the car somewhere, tho I doubt that this is your problem.
You may wish to try fitting an "emergency" plastic push-in fuel cap and see if this cures the problem, if so you definately have a pressurisation problem.
Is your fuel cap the genuine item?
Good Luck
DH Dove

[glenn1411]

Thank you for your kind resonse, yes the fuel filler cap is original to the car ive also read a post kindly placed on the forum by another gentleman who states that whooshing noises and leaking rear window seals-lead to rusting tanks,!! im really HOPING thats not it as they are £500.00 for the convertible,!!!!! i have also just replaced a SPLIT rear window seal, although the previous keeper had the car 6 years and NEVER took it out in the rain,it was in a snuff dry garage, so im hoping its a breather problem somewhere as i said i cant smell fuel in the boot just inside the car and its VERY noticeable,!! again im hoping that convertible split rear window seals dont encourage rusting tanks as the back of the boot is completely different to the coupe and it appears to me that water cannot get in to the boot from above,...but ....i could be wrong,!!! many thanks
kind regards
Glenn.Glenn1411
Hi and welcome to the site....

As I remember 1980's cars were subject to a recall re fuel tank breathers.....hence the whoosh.....some were done and some not. The breather system is complicated and you need to check it out in the Parts/Servicing manual to understand it.
The hole you can see in the filler neck is a drain to earth for spilt fuel when filling, if this has holed/perished it could be leaking your spills into the body of the car somewhere, tho I doubt that this is your problem.
You may wish to try fitting an "emergency" plastic push-in fuel cap and see if this cures the problem, if so you definately have a pressurisation problem.
Is your fuel cap the genuine item?
Good Luck
DH Dove

[kelsham]

Hi just a thought , the smell isnt coming from under the bonnet is it? I have had a smell that was inside, that came from a leaking hose under the bonnet. I eventually checked all the connections and found it regards Kels