Sorry, couldn't resist the title.. Anyway, my 86 244 has always had a little extra "Eau de Petro" (gas smell) coming from her exhaust. Runs good gas mileage is low 20s. Plugs actually looked a little lean when I pulled em if anything, no smoke either. The only maintenance items left are replacing the fuel filter, adjusting the valves and possibly cleaning the throttle body. Car has an unconfirmed 75k on er'.

Should I do anything about this? Should I care? Where should I look to address this issue?

 

'86 w/ 75k? Hard to believe!

 

None of those "maintenance" items would help your gas smell, and are in fact unnecessary unless symptoms are present... well, ok, I'd clean the throttle body!
I'd look for a gas leak somewhere, isolate the general area, in the back or in front or under the car where the pump and filter are.

 

Thanks Lev. Ok, so nobody pre-empt changes the fuel filter, or adjust valves? Coming of a VW bug it was just routine maintenance, but I suppose this is a modern affair now....
One other thing that I didn't mention is that after I deleted the temp compensation board. My temp gauge indicates about 1/3-1/4 most of the time, and I'm in Florida. But I was pretty sure that the temp sensor to the ECU and to the gauge are separate....

 

First place I'd check for the gas smell is around the fuel pumps. I have had the banjo bolt coming out of the fuel filter rust enough to develop a small pinhole leak. This happened to both of our 240s. Also check where the gas lines go into/exit the gas tank. For some reason the top of the fuel gauge sending unit is a real rust magnet and can develop leaks. Remove the access panel in the trunk and check there to see if there is a strong gas smell.

 

Too rich will create a sulfur smell out exhaust. Different than raw liquid fuel smell, but close.

Dont break your small fuel filter hose! Easy to do. I managed to destroy my fuel line from filter-to-rail using vice grips to counterhold filter. Dont do that either. Use a proper large wrench to counterhold the filter.

Stick a hose in your ear and listen down fuel filler for tank pump. If you don't hear it, you get to dig out the pump and replace. Look for signs of fuel leaks while doing the job. I suggest IPD fuel bung tool. I have it and it sure is easier and cleaner than the ol' hammer and flathead hacker method.

 

I'm pretty sure it is not leakingfuel I was just under the car and didn't see any obvious leaks. It's definitely running rich.
I'm going to check resistance on the temp sending units in the block next.

 

Super corroded O2 sensor connection and clean throttle body seemed to have put Bob in my family. Love it when it doesn't cost an arm and a leg!