Hi, I have a 92 Camaro RS with the 305TBI engine which is all stock. I have a 10" open element air cleaner installed on it. Lately I notice that I smell gas coming from the engine compartment after turning the car off. I smell it more from the TBI unit but do not see gas leaking anywhere even if the car is running. I know I have an oil leak coming from the back of the intake but I don't think gas would leak out with the oil. The engine does not smoke at all and has 109,000 miles on it.

Has anyone else had this gas smell problem? I am wondering if it is normal because of having an open element on it. Im thinking of installing the factory air cleaner back on since I notice no difference with the open element. I also read that the stock air cleaner is good for up to 4500 RPM which is my shifting point on my auto transmission anyway.

By the way FYI, a 10x2" open element will feed up to a 275HP engine, no need for a 14x3 open element on a stock L03.

Any advise on the gas smell problem would be appreciated

 

Happens to me too. I always smell gas aftr shutting the car off.

 

Never had that problem until I installed the open air element. HINT

 

Yeah. Check the top of the intake manifold for gas stains. Particularly where the gas lines go into the TBI unit. Might be loose. Might be leaking...

Just a thought.

 

I'll go ahead and say that when you have an open element as opposed to the stock snorkel filter, you will smell the gas. Because the area where the fuel is sprayed is literly only enclosed by paper filter, not sealed in a steel enclosure.
My setup is "bulletproof" everything has been checked over and again. I frequently fiddle with things, but am sure to be exact in my re-installation. The gas smell started when I went with the open element. It's normal.

 

Maybe so, but IMO nothing looks as cool as a nice, shiney 14x3 under the hood (See below ) As far as your gas smell, Check you injectors to see if they are spraying properly. They might be splashing a tiny little bit and that fuel sitting on the sides of the TBI could be your smell...

 

 

ditto, fuel splashing/puddling on top of the TB is something that causes that smell.

If the charcoal canister is cracked-this will also make a stink . I encountered this on my mpfi years ago.

 

first thing I noticed is....

""""""having an open element on it. Im thinking of installing the factory air cleaner back on since I notice no difference with the open element"""""""""

notice the bottom of your krome air cleaner........not much of a radius for air entry. Top of air kleener is probably very close to top of injectors.....HEAT.......the AC is sucking from a hot engine compartment....you want cooler air, this is why U showd no difference.......there should be a little but not much if done rite. You need at least to use the stock metal shield ring under your AC base. Also a gasket on the TB and on the AC base.

Short answer??? A nice big doghouse on the TB, 6" hose to a panel filter in the front core support.....or spend the Big $$ on one of those KN air kits.

Atomized fuel is lurking below thise injectors.....some is landing on the inside of the AC base.

 

Well, thanks for the help. I decided to switch back to the stock air cleaner assembly and so far I do not smell gas after shutting the car off. The open element was nice but I would rather not smell gas.

Now I just have to fix that oil leak one day. Looks like a big project taking the intake off.

 

It gets perdy easy after doing a few different thirdgens...

 

Hope your not going by the seat of your pants dyno, its just not precise enough.
Since i've had my oe cleaner on i've never once noticed a gas smell.

 

That is provided that the installation of said open element doesn't wear the wires on your distributor raw thereby causing your entire electrical system to fry.

 

It was an honest mistake....

 

Oh... I totally know. Actually, I want to thank you. After I read that whole thread with your experience I made double sure my distributer cap was protected and the wires secure.

Thanks mang.

 

Ohh I know man, and it actually was the coil, not the dizzy... Yeah its always good to learn from others mistakes