Strong Fuel Smell on Clothes

It is probable the fuel overflow/vent that is located on the fill neck in the trunk.  When ever I make a hard right hand turn ...I get the the smell of gas.  Or maybe your gas cap seal is defective.  It surely has nothing to do with the size of your carbs unless they are overflowing gas. 

Are you using your heater?  Close the vents and turn it off (the heater).

VW's are common for what you describe when using the heater. 

And if the carbs are overflowing gas, the floats are probably in need of adjustment.  I believe there was a similar thread here not too long ago where the solution turned out to be rather simple.  Try a search.

Thanks for all of the insight. Is the heater "knob"  the same as a regular faucet, counter clockwise off, Clockwise on setup? Since I live in Florida I never was able to figure out if it was on or not.

I think Christian might have been referring to a 'gas heater' (Eberspacher, WestWind, etc.)...not the heater box flap knob on the VS tunnel.

Yeah.  If you're in Florida, you probably don't have an Ebersbacher.  The regular heat can let in exhaust fumes if things aren't in good order, but not a strong fuel smell.  I had an issue with smell for a while, until I replaced the gas cap.  The rubber seals go bad after a while.  If it's coming from the engine compartment, it's probably either a leak or a carb float maladjustment.

I'd look at the gas tank connection to the gas line going to the back (under the tank in the front).  Is the rubber hose good and are the stainless steel hose clamps tight.  Is there a fuel filter there - and are hose clamps tight there? Be aware that Ethanol eats some type of rubber fuel lines - maybe even plasic fuel filters.  Next I'd add to length of the gas tank vent hose - route it higher than tank and add a loop to it.  I'm in Ft Walton Beach FL - heat makes gas expand so don't fill tank but 3/4 fill when its hot out or you park in the sun.  Does VS retain the OEM steel gas line that runs through the center tunnel?  It could have rusted thru.  

I had old '57 VW in NJ and with heat on - by time I got to a college class I smelled like I had been operating a chain saw.  It was an oily, gassy exhaust smell.

One more possibility...  If you're running very rich AND you have the standard heat AND it's on AND there's an exhaust leak in the heater box, well then you could be getting gassed that way.  My money is still on a leak like WOLFGANG (Greg) said, or your carb floats are overflowing.

Also, check The Fuel sender on top of the tank (under the carpet). See if it is wet.

this was happening to me in colin's car. after a day out in the car i would come home reeking of raw fuel. my hair, my clothes, my skin.

when I got my VS it had no breather valve on the gas line vent tube. Gas was just spilling out. put a breather valvue on and the smell went away.

"this was happening to me in colin's car. after a day out in the car i would come home reeking of raw fuel. my hair, my clothes, my skin."

as Robert Duval once might have said:  "God Help me, but I love the smell of gasoline in the morning!"

I had the same situation and I believe it happens mostly with the top down and when the carbs are running rich.

I'm always amazed at how these cars can draw exhaust gases into the cabin area from the back of the car (with the top down).

I never have a whiff of fuel after putting a one-way valve in the overflow line.  I forgot where I got my valve---maybe someone will post a source.  This is an easy, simple fix.   I also have a new Espar heater and never smell fuel when using it.

Wait. Smelling like gas is a problem?

Exactly! So you're also aware of that? Maybe aerodynamics have something to do with it; air flow with the top down.

"as Robert Duval once might have said:  "God Help me, but I love the smell of gasoline in the morning!"

Ha, and I thought that quote was NAPALM --- Viet Nam bug spray - the smell of victory! Ha good thing there aren't many Speedster smokers.

Exactly. Aerodynamics is the reason!

At speed the airflow from the nose arching over the top of the speedster induces a negative airfoil condition (just like the airfoil lift of an aircraft wing) that sucks surrounding air (exhaust fumes) into that lifting vacuum around your head! That's why long hair lifts up and blows wildly instead of being slicked back by a slip stream.

That's why Troy usually wears a cap when demonstrating his speedsters on that great rural Fresno road. 

That explains it; thanks!