a smell of gas but outside the van? weird V6

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buddyh42
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a smell of gas but outside the van? weird V6

Post by buddyh42 » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:08 pm

Hi, just been a quick run to the shops and driving there I thought I smelt gas, when we arrived Mrs H got out and said she could smell it now, I got out popped the lid and sure enough there was a very strange smell, the best way i could describe it is like gas or peeled onions, I am puzzled anyone any ideas what I am smelling or if there is something wrong if so how to fix it, Cheers
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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by Simon Jones » Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:56 pm

Petrol or diesel engine? The catalytic converters in petrol exhausts can smell 'eggy' when warming up, or when there is unburnt fuel in the exhaust gases. Alternatively, did you buy an onion at the shop and stuck it somewhere warm :).
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buddyh42
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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by buddyh42 » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:03 am

Petrol V6, if it is the cat will it clear itself or do i need to do something, sorry bout the stupid questions but i know absolutly nothing when it comes to cars. Cheers
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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by Iwannabongo » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:32 am

Could be a few things. First I would try a better quality fuel and give the engine a good blasting. Check the battery/batteries as if they are on the way out, can give off sulphur fumes. Lastly could be the catalytic converter on the way out or just needs an italian tune up to burn off excess sulphur.
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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by teenmal » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:37 am

Hi buddy,you dont have a LPG conversion or a gas canister/lighter gas onboard ??.

If not I would check that the engine is firing 100% on all cylinders,if it is not it could be dumping unburnt fuel into the Cat and causing it to burn (smell) or oil leaking onto the exhaust.

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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by Diplomat » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:49 am

buddyh42 wrote:I got out popped the lid and sure enough there was a very strange smell, the best way i could describe it is like gas or peeled onions...
Boiling coolant?

It's a while since I last smelt it to be able to compare it to onions but it smelt strongly enough to alert me before I fitted an alarm.


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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by MountainGoat » Fri Jun 22, 2012 10:47 am

This does not seem to bode well Buddy. I hope that you have one of Hyden's low coolant alarms fitted to your Bongo if not get one from Hyden as soon as possible. If it is not the coolant then you had best take your Bongo round to campercraft to have it checked over.

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buddyh42
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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by buddyh42 » Fri Jun 22, 2012 10:35 pm

Hi people, its not coolant as checked that and also got a H aydyn alarm, also got gas bottle inside but not that as no smell inside, was gonna have a look today but was ill so hopefully see to it tomorrow, thanks for your suggestions all welcome and will keep you all posted. Hi Tony hope your well need a catch up soon.
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buddyh42
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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by buddyh42 » Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:02 pm

Well i have had a good look in the engine and all the nuts on the cylinder head had oil leaking around them so i was anicking up until i touched them and they were all just hand tight, so i tightened them all and since then and cleaning the engine no smells at all.
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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by Simon Jones » Thu Jun 28, 2012 11:13 pm

Head bolts :!: or rocker cover nuts?
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buddyh42
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Re: a smell of gas but outside the van? wierd

Post by buddyh42 » Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:09 am

Had a mechanic friend have a look for me and he says it is rocker cover, me I know jack about engines just knew something should not have been as slack as what they were, some were that slack that they would have been as well not there.
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