1914 Gas Tank Evaporation

[Ed in Maine]

In August, 2017 I put my Model T up for the winter (Maine). It was a bit early but we had doctors appointments in Florida. I filled the tank 7/8 full and put in Stabil for the long nap over the winter. Due to some medical problems, we didn't get back to Maine until mid September, 2018. Now I'm thinking what am I going to do with all this gas in the tank. I took off the gas cap and was astonished to see the tank was bone dry. I have always had a damp shutoff valve but it never dripped or left a stain on the floor or a strong smell in the garage. It shows you that it may not seem like much of a leak but over time I am loosing a lot of gas! Ed

 

[FRANK PKNY]

BY THE TIME YOUCAME BACKALL ODOR HAD DISPERSED. Your leak is worse than you realize.

 

[nhusa]

BY THE TIME YOUCAME BACKALL ODOR HAD DISPERSED. Your leak is worse than you realize.[/QUOTE

Yep you gotta leak.

Be happy. If it was evaporation you would have a bunch of varnish

 

[24ruxstel1339]

I have been shutting the fuel off at the sediment bowl.
(24 touring car) If not, I noticed the same thing, 1/4 tank when parked, no spots or stains on the floor, no gas smell (and I looked in on it periodically).
Come spring...tank dry.

I did find, to help seal the cap, an oil filter gasket for an Import (don't remember what), fits on the cap and helps with evaporation and I don't smell gas when driving as much. Gas won't eat the oil filter O-rings.

 

[redmodelt]

The oil filter gasket would work, but you can also buy gaskets for the cap. The T is a vented tank system not sealed like modern cars, so there will be fumes and evaporation at all times. Shutting off the fuel and running the carb dry helps prevent drips, but there will still be fumes.