Expert: Roger J.M. Warrington - 6/24/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello Roger,

Thank you for your help on my 1997 Corvette, (5.7,345hp)

My problem is, a gas smell in the car after I filled it up, when I first brought it home. It was on empty, when I got it, and I did not try to top it off. It sat for two years, befor I got it, and it has 97,000 Miles on it.

I thought the gas cap vent might be dried out or the vent in it may ve defective. I am taking it in, to the dealer tomorrow to have the steering fixed, that is a recall, and I am going to buy a new gas cap, and hope that cures the problem.

Am I all wet, or is my idea a possible gas smell sourse.

I thank you for any help you, or others, can give me, on this problem.

         New Corvette owner,

         waltbrock@yahoo.com



ANSWER: Walt- a Vette good for you. well it could be a gas leak
or the line could be leaking under the car. I would have it put on a lift and looked all over also check the fuel pump , filter. and you can have it put on a OBDII meter that might tell you what it is.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, Again, Roger,
I want to tell you what I found, so you can tell others, what to beware of, if they have my problem, and how to avoid it.
DO NOT!! drill any holes,to install anything, in the wall, behind the driver, or passenger seats, in a 1997 Vet!!

A stereo Amp, unit, was installed, in the wall, behind the passenger seat, of my vet, and when they drilled the holes, to mount it, they DRILLED, THREE HOLES THROUGH, THE RIGHT HAND, GAS TANK!!!, that is RIGHT BEHIND the wall of the passenger seat.
The 97 Vet has, Two tanks, and one is behind the driver, and the other is behind the passenger.
We dropped the tank, behind the passenger seat, where they drilled the holes to mount the Amp. We cut off the screws that were coming from the Amp, that went into the tank, and we repaired the holes, that they drilled, in the tank, and that took care of the problem.
I hope this helps you, and others, that may encounter this problem.
And, Thanks Again, for your help, with my problem, Roger.
         Walt Brock

Answer
WALT-wow
I can not beleive that some dumb m.f. would even try to drill in the back of the seats as the fuel tank is there. dam you are so lucky you did not go boom and that you all found and fixed the problem/ prior to any leak or fire or big fiber glass pile of carbon, good luck to you bro glad you found the trouble and had no trouble fixing it, I would take a look see at the holes once n a while just to be shure.