Gas Cap and o-ring

12 September, 2012

I ordered new seats and few other bits and bobs that are just cosmetic.  Since I know I want to replace these items I just did it.

While I'm awaiting those things I'm doing a bit of troubleshooting to find my fuel leak, or whatever is creating that gas smell.  The gas cap doesn't appear to be making a good seal, and when I checked the fuel sender on the tank (had the seats out anyway) the existing o-ring is the wrong size and appears ineffective.

So I went to my local parts place and got replacements.  No leaks at all and that gasoline smell is gone.  Plus the engine runs just a tad smoother, probably because there is pressure in the tank and not suction from the fuel pump.

I think I've figured out  why there is no air coming out of the heater.  The switches (off vs heat vs defrost) work off vacuum.  I found what appears to be a vacuum hose not connected to anything under the hood.  Another future project...

The engine seems to run a bit hot.  After yesterday's short ride (15 minutes) I moved the license plate from the grille to the front bumber and the heat coming off the hood / grille was almost unbearable.  It was a cool day here yesterday, high only 78.  The coolant is circulating because the radiator and hoses are hot.  Probably okay until next Spring, but something to look into.  The temp gauge doesn't work, always says COLD, but that should be an easy fix once I figure out the wires.  The hot engine may explain why it feels so hot behind the firewall.

In the meantime...she's running and she's on the road.

Thanks for looking...