[Steve Braverman]

I'm embarrassed to admit that there are a few cars in my garage that have not run in about 10 years (Dad's cars, not mine). The other day I was overwhelmed by the smell of stale gas in the building. I looked under all the cars, and none of them seem to be leaking. Is the strong smell normal when gas turns to varnish?

[Clincher]

Rotten Gasolene really stinks, and the longer you leave it sitting the more difficult it will be to clean the tank when you finally get around to starting up your cars. Best to drain out as much as you can, and flush the tank with diesel fuel or kerosene.

[Bhigdog]

There is a good chance one of the tanks has rusted out and has a pin hole (holes). Chances are you won't see a leak because tanks tend to rust out above the fuel level where condensation occurs. The vapor in the tank expands/contracts with temperature changes and pumps the fumes out. It doesen't take much to really stink up a garage...........Bob

[Steve Braverman]

I found the culprit today. It's my Dad's 1911 Franklin. The tank is copper, and somehow the copper must react with the fuel, because the car always has fuel problems. I took the car out of the garage and the smell is subsiding. At least I've isolated the problem.