gasoline fumes - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

noahfor · 01-02-2006, 10:44 PM

My girlfriend's car smells like gasoline inside and out. Am I putting myself in danger by riding in the car. I've never gotten a headache or "high" from being in the car, and the smell isn't that strong but it's definitely there. I'm really paranoid about getting brain damage from fumes. Is it possible that I have damaged my brain from being in her car? Thanks.

Willravel · 01-02-2006, 10:55 PM

So long as your windows are down, you're not in immediate danger.

Offer to clean it out. I'd use simple green or some kind of degreaser.

noahfor · 01-02-2006, 11:37 PM

The windows aren't down. I'd like them to be, but it's winter here, and she won't let me have them down. I think the gasoline is leaking or something and coming through the vents, not from a spill inside the car. She had it looked at, but the mechanic couldn't find a leak, but the smell is coming from somewhere. I can smell it inside and out, and sometimes not at all, so its not a spill.

Willravel · 01-02-2006, 11:38 PM

Do you mind if I ask what kind of car? As far as health, I'd avoid that situation.

macmanmike6100 · 01-03-2006, 07:27 AM

agreed -- have her find the leak ASAP, and don't ride in the thing. personally, I'd avoid it entirely until the problem is resolved.

noahfor · 01-03-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel

Do you mind if I ask what kind of car? As far as health, I'd avoid that situation.

It's a 1988 Buick Regal. Thanks for the help. I'll stay out of it.

thingstodo · 01-03-2006, 12:02 PM

I'd personally be more worried about blowing up than sniffing the gas fumes.

NoSoup · 01-04-2006, 08:10 PM

A friend of mine had the same problem. He had to have it checked out two or three times before they found the culprit - a small hole in a gasoline line in an apparently hard to see location.

Reeked like gas when the car was running, but if it was off and aired out for a bit, it didn't smell like it until you turned it on again....

shakran · 01-04-2006, 08:31 PM

another common spot for leaks is at the fuel tank straps, especially if the suspension is soft and you scrape bottom from time to time. The straps can rub against the tank and punch a hole, then hide it from sight.

I agree with all above - find that leak, and I wouldn't drive the car until I did. Leaking gas is NEVER safe.

*Nikki* · 01-05-2006, 02:28 PM

My friend had this happen whenever she rode in her BF's car. Wasnt long before his car just caught on fire one day while he was driving and burned to nothing. No kidding.

thingstodo · 01-05-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Nikki*

My friend had this happen whenever she rode in her BF's car. Wasnt long before his car just caught on fire one day while he was driving and burned to nothing. No kidding.

Now that's what I'm talking about!! See my previous note. It's only a matter of time before it blows if you keep smelling gas.

Willravel · 01-05-2006, 04:38 PM

'88 Regals are known for suspension and frame problems, I've not yet heard of fuel system problems, but that doesn't mean that they are uncommon. I suggest that you drive with your windows down to your local, trustworthy mechanic. Explain the problem with the gas smell, and mention every other problem you've ever had with the car. I'm always surprised at how interconnected the different suystems of cars are. It's problaby a matter of replacing a line or connector, but who knows.

noahfor · 01-06-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willravel

'88 Regals are known for suspension and frame problems

Yea, it's like riding in a horse-and-carriage. Anyway, thanks for all the advice.

Plaid13 · 01-13-2006, 09:56 AM

breathing gas fumes is a bad thing it will kill brain cells but... most cleaning products do too so does drinking alchohal. but yeah its not good for you i would be more worried about the fire hazard then brain damage. and she should have the windows down when she drives because it will slow her reaction time if shes breathing in fumes too long. im sure you dont want her crashing into someone cause she was a little spaced out on the fumes. Depending on what kinda shape the car is in the fumes could be comming from all sorts of places. emmisions systems not doing the job right a leak in the fuel lines or gas tank or a bad gasket under the carberator or even gas spraying up through the air filter. or a leaky fuel pump. when the car is off and cooled down i would suggest looking at the top of the engine for any wet spots or places that look cleaner then they should be the gas basicly works as a degreaser and will leave a nice clean spot or even a puddle of gas on the intake manifold if the carb is leaking. If the leak happens between the gas tank and the fuel pump the risk of fire isnt all that bad really because the gas will hit stuff that wont be too hot. car frame underbody and the street basicly. but.... if its between the fuel pump and the carb its bad because it will leak right on the hot engine and maybe the spark plugs distriubter and all the wonderful wires under the hood and it will do it with some pressure as the fuel pump will keep throwing more gas onto the fire after it does start to burn. and that gets bad real fast. A friend of mine had his carb start to leak gas on him and it sprayed gas all over the engine and started a nice fire burnt up the car very fast flames pouring out from under the hood. Depending on how bad the fumes are it could be very unsafe. gas dosnt burn itself but the fumes do when its mixed in the air thick enough it will burn like crazy. and if its been absorbed into the seats and head liner and stuff yeah that will burn alot faster then normal.

Do your girlfriend a big favor and get that car fixed for her or drive it off a cliff or something. in the mean time if you have a car of your own or one you can borrow from parents or whatever offer to drive whenever you can. I dunno how old you are or what your money situation is but.. a new $800 beater car thats safe to drive would make a nice gift for the girlfriend. Or at least take it to a few diffrent mechanics. if they cant find anything wrong when you can smell gas they dont know what they are doing. or didnt try hard enough.

Smelling gas might not mean anything too important health wise but burns from the gas going up in flames does.

dman2 · 01-22-2006, 10:52 AM

For an old car like this, it could be almost anything. Recommend getting it checked or getting rid of the car. I would just tell her you are worried about HER safety and offer to help her get a new car, unless she is just attatched to the car.

01-02-2006, 10:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
noahfor Addict	gasoline fumes My girlfriend's car smells like gasoline inside and out. Am I putting myself in danger by riding in the car. I've never gotten a headache or "high" from being in the car, and the smell isn't that strong but it's definitely there. I'm really paranoid about getting brain damage from fumes. Is it possible that I have damaged my brain from being in her car? Thanks.

01-03-2006, 12:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	I'd personally be more worried about blowing up than sniffing the gas fumes. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

01-04-2006, 08:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
NoSoup Non-Rookie Location: Green Bay, WI	A friend of mine had the same problem. He had to have it checked out two or three times before they found the culprit - a small hole in a gasoline line in an apparently hard to see location. Reeked like gas when the car was running, but if it was off and aired out for a bit, it didn't smell like it until you turned it on again.... __________________ I have an aura of reliability and good judgement. Just in case you were wondering...

01-22-2006, 10:52 AM	#15 (permalink)
dman2 Insane Location: Georgia	For an old car like this, it could be almost anything. Recommend getting it checked or getting rid of the car. I would just tell her you are worried about HER safety and offer to help her get a new car, unless she is just attatched to the car. __________________ I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I'm doing. ~Marsha Doble

01-02-2006, 10:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	So long as your windows are down, you're not in immediate danger. Offer to clean it out. I'd use simple green or some kind of degreaser.

01-02-2006, 11:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
noahfor Addict	The windows aren't down. I'd like them to be, but it's winter here, and she won't let me have them down. I think the gasoline is leaking or something and coming through the vents, not from a spill inside the car. She had it looked at, but the mechanic couldn't find a leak, but the smell is coming from somewhere. I can smell it inside and out, and sometimes not at all, so its not a spill.

01-02-2006, 11:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Do you mind if I ask what kind of car? As far as health, I'd avoid that situation.

01-03-2006, 07:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
macmanmike6100 High Honorary Junkie Location: Tri-state.	agreed -- have her find the leak ASAP, and don't ride in the thing. personally, I'd avoid it entirely until the problem is resolved.

01-04-2006, 08:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	another common spot for leaks is at the fuel tank straps, especially if the suspension is soft and you scrape bottom from time to time. The straps can rub against the tank and punch a hole, then hide it from sight. I agree with all above - find that leak, and I wouldn't drive the car until I did. Leaking gas is NEVER safe.

01-05-2006, 02:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Nikki ~~~~~~~ Location: Charleston, SC	My friend had this happen whenever she rode in her BF's car. Wasnt long before his car just caught on fire one day while he was driving and burned to nothing. No kidding.

01-05-2006, 04:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	'88 Regals are known for suspension and frame problems, I've not yet heard of fuel system problems, but that doesn't mean that they are uncommon. I suggest that you drive with your windows down to your local, trustworthy mechanic. Explain the problem with the gas smell, and mention every other problem you've ever had with the car. I'm always surprised at how interconnected the different suystems of cars are. It's problaby a matter of replacing a line or connector, but who knows.

01-13-2006, 09:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
Plaid13 I want a Plaid crayon	breathing gas fumes is a bad thing it will kill brain cells but... most cleaning products do too so does drinking alchohal. but yeah its not good for you i would be more worried about the fire hazard then brain damage. and she should have the windows down when she drives because it will slow her reaction time if shes breathing in fumes too long. im sure you dont want her crashing into someone cause she was a little spaced out on the fumes. Depending on what kinda shape the car is in the fumes could be comming from all sorts of places. emmisions systems not doing the job right a leak in the fuel lines or gas tank or a bad gasket under the carberator or even gas spraying up through the air filter. or a leaky fuel pump. when the car is off and cooled down i would suggest looking at the top of the engine for any wet spots or places that look cleaner then they should be the gas basicly works as a degreaser and will leave a nice clean spot or even a puddle of gas on the intake manifold if the carb is leaking. If the leak happens between the gas tank and the fuel pump the risk of fire isnt all that bad really because the gas will hit stuff that wont be too hot. car frame underbody and the street basicly. but.... if its between the fuel pump and the carb its bad because it will leak right on the hot engine and maybe the spark plugs distriubter and all the wonderful wires under the hood and it will do it with some pressure as the fuel pump will keep throwing more gas onto the fire after it does start to burn. and that gets bad real fast. A friend of mine had his carb start to leak gas on him and it sprayed gas all over the engine and started a nice fire burnt up the car very fast flames pouring out from under the hood. Depending on how bad the fumes are it could be very unsafe. gas dosnt burn itself but the fumes do when its mixed in the air thick enough it will burn like crazy. and if its been absorbed into the seats and head liner and stuff yeah that will burn alot faster then normal. Do your girlfriend a big favor and get that car fixed for her or drive it off a cliff or something. in the mean time if you have a car of your own or one you can borrow from parents or whatever offer to drive whenever you can. I dunno how old you are or what your money situation is but.. a new $800 beater car thats safe to drive would make a nice gift for the girlfriend. Or at least take it to a few diffrent mechanics. if they cant find anything wrong when you can smell gas they dont know what they are doing. or didnt try hard enough. Smelling gas might not mean anything too important health wise but burns from the gas going up in flames does.