Petrol smell from Dellortos

["Mark Battley" <m.battley@domain.elided>]

My 2000 GT Veloce has now been back in daily use for about a month after
quite a few months resting for rust and front suspension repairs. And it is
even more fun to drive than before....

However I'm now getting quite strong petrol smells that seem to be coming
out of the carbs/airbox. They are most noticeable after the car has been
parked in the garage following use: the smell lasts for many hours. There
are no obvious external leaks around the carbs or lines, and it smells the
strongest at the intake to the airbox, implying to me that the fumes are
coming from inside the (DHLA 40) carbs.

It didn't do this prior to its "rest". Is this possible/likely?  What could
cause it? All I can think of doing is checking the float levels: presumably
the float chambers will have dried out while the car was sitting and maybe a
float hasn't enjoyed the experience?? Can't quite understand why though. The
car starts and runs perfectly (perhaps perfect is a bit strong... as well as
it used to anyhow!) 

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Mark Battley
Auckland, New Zealand.

1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce

Alfa Romeo 105 series Bertone Coupe home page and register at:
      http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/1806/105GTV.HTML

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