I finally got the '87 Brat in working order. I drove it to the gas station, filled it up, and drove it home and parked it in the garage. Later that evening, I went out to the garage and it smelled like gas. I thought, no biggie, I just filled it up right?

 

Well, it's been 2 weeks since and it still smells like gas in the garage. The Brat is the only vehicle parked in there! I can not find any visible leaks.

 

Any ideas - maybe the gas cap or something?

you said you finally got it in working order.. what was taken apart? thats certainly the first place to start, but if you want to go on a goose-chase, you could check any fuel lines.. there is a vent tank inside the rear panel, just behind and to the rear bumper side of the gas tank door... well thats where it is on my gl-10, on a brat ive no idea, but imsure there is one.. sniff around and see if its stronger anyplace in particular. it could also be something else in the garage thats producing the smell.. correlation does not imply causation.

Wouldn't be a bit surprized that you'd find the top of the tank riddled with pin-holes if you were to drop it out of the BRAT.

 

My 1st Subaru, an '86 BRAT did the same, smelled strong of gas if I filled the tank to the full point. Was okay if I only did 3/4 to 7/8 fill on it. Never had any drips under the tank, possibly due to the holes being very very small. Would only leak at a rate equal to the rate of evaporation.

 

Just happened to have an extended weekend, and close to empty on the gauge, so I dropped the tank. Had to do some seroius cleaning to the top of it, but I did locate many a small hole. Used some Seals-All to cover the top of the tank, then painted it. Basically helped the problem from re-occurring until I scrapped the BRAT due to to much body rust. Ain't road salt wonderful????

Don't light a match