Kicked out of the Garage!! EZ EFI fuel line odors.

[SD455]

Finally got the boot. The wife has been getting complaints now that her car stinks of gas just from sitting next to mine.

I bought and installed the EZ EFI full kit, including lines, and spent days and days making sure everything was routed to perfection. No leaks,no nonsense. I do have a vented cap, but no other forms of emissions on the car and no other venting to or from the tank. fuel line, return line and vented cap...thats it. Why does my garage smell like someone spilled gas all over everything? Its really bad, and I never had this problem before.

The EFI works great, but I'm gonna take it off and smash it with a hammer if I cant get rid of this damned gas smell. What gives?

B.

[critter]

Get a new wife. There, fixed that for you. LOL!

Seriously, with the EFI there should be a reading from the O2 sensor. What does it show as th A/F ratio at idle?

[John Wright]

So are these teflon lined fuel hoses? Many have complained about braided lines that smell up their entire garage, and the smell is fixed by using a teflon lined braided hose.

[dhutton]

Did you use steel braided rubber fuel hose? It emits strong gas odors. Replace them with teflon hoses and the smell should be gone.

I just assembled some teflon fuel hoses with hose and fittings from anfittingsdirect.com

[Ollie8974]

2X on the braided rubber hose.

[SD455]

I thought it may be coming from the lines. Why the F%#&^ would FAST sell lines that do that? I bought the entire kit from them to avoid this type of nonsense,again tempted to take the thing off and smash it with a hammer and send it back to them.
Where do you get Teflon lines? Do any of our vendors supply it? Can anybody tell me whether or not the non vented tank with just a vented cap may be part of the issue? I do get a hiss from the tank when removing the cap on occasion.

Thanks

[Damn True]

The rubber on a steel braided rubber line is semi-permeable. Not enough to be a fire hazard, but enough that the VOC's are noticeable in a closed space. If in fact FAST sent you rubber lines it might be an error, or it might have been a cost saving measure. I'd contact them and inquire. If you present your case politely they may go out of their way to help you.

Either way, your first step should be calling FAST.

[SD455]

The rubber on a steel braided rubber line is semi-permeable. Not enough to be a fire hazard, but enough that the VOC's are noticeable in a closed space. If in fact FAST sent you rubber lines it might be an error, or it might have been a cost saving measure. I'd contact them and inquire. If you present your case politely they may go out of their way to help you.

Either way, your first step should be calling FAST.

Thats great advice,I believe they are owned by Comp Cams and in that case should give excellent customer service. It may have been a mistake, and if not perhaps they will make it right.

I will give it a try and report back.

Thanks

[CarlC]

Just as a point of reference....

Mine has a stock vented cap, about 6' of PTFE flexible lines, and stainless hardline for the rest. The garage is well sealed. There is zero fuel smell. My wife has to walk by the car 10 times a day and notices nothing. The flexible lines are Aeroquip with user-installed compression ferrule type ends.

[SD455]

Just as a point of reference....

Mine has a stock vented cap, about 6' of PTFE flexible lines, and stainless hardline for the rest. The garage is well sealed. There is zero fuel smell. My wife has to walk by the car 10 times a day and notices nothing. The flexible lines are Aeroquip with user-installed compression ferrule type ends.

Carl,

What is PTFE? Are you running EFI or a return line?Is your tank totally sealed other than the vented cap. I think pre 1970 there may have been a vent tube in the filler neck? I am considering ordering a 1970 tank for my car so I can get better venting.

[Damn True]

PTFE = polytetrafluoroethylene

Teflon.


(yes, I had to look up the spelling)

[SD455]

Spoke to Tech support for FAST, no dice. "we have never heard of these lines leaking odour" "That has not been our experience"......silence..... Yes, it is a rubber braided hose we supply in the kit. Anyways, they were not able to shed any light on the situation. I was not able to find a customer service # so I sent off an e mail and we will see what happens.

[Vegas69]

That is normally the response when you call any tech support. I've found it to be a waste of time in many instances. They will rarely admit their product has an issue. My advice is to run hard line the majority of the way and use soft line in difficult or moving areas. I ran 1/2 hard line the length of the car for pressure and return and used plain old Jegs mesh hose and have never suffered from the smell. I'm not sure if the hose is superior or it's due to most of my fuel setting in my tank and hard lines.

[CarlC]

Single line EFI. No other vents besides the one in the factory cap.

Teflon is Dupont's trade name. PTFE is the chemical name used by everyone else who manufactures similar materials.

Have you seen this? https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?62575-braided-fuel-lines-took-a-crap

[GeoffP]

If it helps, Auto Zone (don't know if they're in Canada or not) carries hardline in bulk. I think I bought a roll for less than $20. It was long enough to run the feed and return lines for my 68 Camaro. I think I might've used a foot of braided line altogether. I have no issues with fuel smell in my garage.

[SD455]

If it helps, Auto Zone (don't know if they're in Canada or not) carries hardline in bulk. I think I bought a roll for less than $20. It was long enough to run the feed and return lines for my 68 Camaro. I think I might've used a foot of braided line altogether. I have no issues with fuel smell in my garage.

I originally wanted to do hard lines, but I suck at bending. Where do you find a shop that makes hard lines...like custom and does a nice job. I'm beginning to think there is a serious problem with those lines, even walking past the car in the driveway you can smell the gas odour.

[monteboy84]

Ditch those lines, the reason they're not admitting a problem is because it could be used as evidence if there was ever a lawsuit over them. Either find a shop to run hardline for you, or run PTFE. Either way, get that stuff off your car, could be a serious fire hazard if nothing else.

-matt

[CarlC]

If it will get you close enough just use a reproduction hardline and modify to fit. Classic Tube may also be able to custom make something for you.

[Chad-1stGen]

Sounds like folks have it pretty covered with the line issue.

I just wanted to throw out there that I put one of those fancy airride gas caps on my camaro which used an O-ring to seal against the filler tube. Even though it was a vented system already, when the o-ring randomly broke one day I went from no gas smell to noticble gas smell. Not as bad as you are describing but it didn't take much to make a huge difference...

[SD455]

Sounds like folks have it pretty covered with the line issue.

I just wanted to throw out there that I put one of those fancy airride gas caps on my camaro which used an O-ring to seal against the filler tube. Even though it was a vented system already, when the o-ring randomly broke one day I went from no gas smell to noticble gas smell. Not as bad as you are describing but it didn't take much to make a huge difference...

Can you explain a little more about the gas cap you are using, and what venting arrangement you have with your tank. The plan is to replace my tank with a unit from a 70 which will have a vented filler neck, and replace my pick up with one from the same car that should have a return line plumbed in. I am planning to try out the spectra tank to limit feed problems. Once I replace the lines/tank etc I'm hoping the smell issues will be gone. Maybe there is a market for a "kit" for this stuff.

[RobNoLimit]

I don't know if this helps, but I think your on the right track. Here in Cali. (socialist republic) we have been dealing with 'high ethonal' fuel for some years. This new fuel eats through the typical rubber and braided hoses in no time. The newer types of "fuel injection" rubber hoses do just fine - they are lined. If you want braided teflon give Tom a call at Earls 310-644-0881. I doubt it is the fuel cap, unless this is a recent change at the same time that the smell started. If the fuel return is in the top of the tank, anywhere near the cap, it may cavitate the fuel and cause the tank to build pressure and push some fuel out. I always put the fuel returns in the lower sections of the tank, baffled away from the output, and/or cap. Good luck, Don't trade the car or the wife.

[GeoffP]

Actually the long pieces of hardline are very easy to bend. I used a coffee can for a lot of the bends when I put the line in my car and bought a Summit tubing bender for the tight bends. If you take your time, you'll have something to be proud of!

[SD455]

Just got off the phone with FAST warranty, and tech supp again. They are adamant that they have never had this issue before,and cant believe that the smell is coming from the lines,so I am starting to feel like I am missing something. What they did say is that they would exchange the line for some new stuff, or issue a credit. This is a sign of good will for sure and good on them, I am now looking at options to get it done somewhere locally. My long time friend Dave at SD performance always lets me work on my car at his home shop where he has a hoist, in fact we put the car together there,but he currently has a project on the go and my car has been out in the rain for the last three nights....Ugh. If anyone can recommend a shop in the greater Vancouver area to do the lines please do. I am thinking Specialty Engineering at this point.

[68Formula]

My long time friend Dave at SD performance always lets me work on my car at his home shop where he has a hoist, in fact we put the car together there.

You are one lucky SOB. I wish he'd move down here and be my friend! One of the best Pontiac engine guys on the planet.

[dhutton]

You could save some time and likely money if you just replace the rubber lines with teflon instead of paying someone to fab hardline. There is a guy selling custom length teflon lines on ebay.

[BulldawgMusclecars]

I think FAST may have changed the line they use in their kits. I installed one of the EZ-EFI kits recently (March) on a '69 Camaro, and it came with line that looked similar to Earl's Pro-Lite (blackbraided hose), but it was teflon lined. Of course, it didn't fit the push-lok fittings that came with the kit, and I wound up using my own line and fittings I already had on hand to supplement the hard line I installed for the return. No fuel smell issues here.

[SD455]

You are one lucky SOB. I wish he'd move down here and be my friend! One of the best Pontiac engine guys on the planet.

Dave is a great guy, and responsible for me being into Pontiac's . I was about 18 when I got a ride in his wifes 421 tri power 65 GTO, I nearly shat myself...she is about 4 foot 11 and had a pillow behind her back so she could mash down on the throttle. That car ended up being the wheelstanding red 65 they campaigned here for a few years and then took down to California when Dave was working with Pete.He is busy as heck with SD but we still manage to hang out a few times a week....mostly at the shop,which is alot of fun to be around.

[SD455]

I think FAST may have changed the line they use in their kits. I installed one of the EZ-EFI kits recently (March) on a '69 Camaro, and it came with line that looked similar to Earl's Pro-Lite (blackbraided hose), but it was teflon lined. Of course, it didn't fit the push-lok fittings that came with the kit, and I wound up using my own line and fittings I already had on hand to supplement the hard line I installed for the return. No fuel smell issues here.

Interesting, I may have just gotten an earlier kit, mine was from last summer but it took us a while to get everything else done and actually get to the EFI. How do you like the system?

[BulldawgMusclecars]

Interesting, I may have just gotten an earlier kit, mine was from last summer but it took us a while to get everything else done and actually get to the EFI. How do you like the system?

I am very happy with it, and my customer is too. After answering the questions and setting everything up, it started immediately. It takes very little driving to get the system dialed in.I will definitely use the kit again, but next time will just build the fuel system myself.

[zcrz]

my EZ kit came with the braided Teflon as well...just finished the install yesterday...what a difference...very nice!!:smoke:

[fordsbyjay]

I have a t bucket with aluminum line from the tank to the firewall and a short piece of rubber line to the carb. It stinks like crazy but it was noticeably worse when I changed to a different style of vent. I am going to change the 1' of line after reading this thread but I feel it is more related to the vent. This watered down gas is just evaporating like crazy making all kinds of fumes.

[David Pozzi]

I put the EzEfi lines on our 68 and have no smell from them, but I read of complaints all the time in the forums. Are you sure there are not any other leaks in your fuel system? Even a tiny drip is really going to smell. The fittings are push lock and required heating to get them inserted in the hose.
David

[CFster]

One vote for Aeroquip. I found their Teflon hose and fittings easier to work with than the regular Russell stuff.

[John Wright]

SD455,
Has the wife let the car back in the garage yet? IOW, did you get the vapor smell under control?

[SD455]

I have yet to solve the mystery,but have plans for a new pickup and still plan to replace the lines. I ran the car out of fuel,and now have it back in the garage for surgery.....still some fuel in the lines i guess,because still some smell. I still have found no evidence of a leak,but based on what I have heard it a toss up. It is possible that the pickup is leaking where it meet the tank,although very unlikely in my mind as the tank will build pressure/vacuum and you can hear a hiss when the cap is released. I was thinking of ordering the spectre tank and trying that for now, and just replacing the whole thing. FAST suggested that any pump with a 250 GPH @ 43PSI would work.

[RednGold86Z]

A return style fuel system (regulator returns unused fuel to tank), will add a LOT of heat to the fuel tank, if the fuel goes through the engine bay (fuel rail, hoses, regulator). Carb systems rarely have a return, so the fuel stays near ambient temperature, except for radiated exhaust or hot highway heat. This is one reason many OEMs are going to returnless fuel systems or have a short return loop that doesn't go to the engine bay. Not saying the lines they supplied aren't permeable, though. Just saying that your fuel tank will have near boiling fuel in it, and your vented cap isn't forcing any of the vapor through an EVAP canister.