OMG! My car was leaking gas inside the garage!! Firemen just left!

[Whoa_Nelly]

I kept smelling something all yesterday afternoon, and couldn't figure out exactly what the odor was. Then, in the evening, went the 9 miles to my son's house to babysit the grandkids. When I got home the smell was gone.

Went to bed about midnight, and the smell was back and getting REALLY strong. All of a sudden, I realized it was the smell of gasoline! It was getting into the house via the A/C ducts.

I turned off the A/C, got a flashlight and looked under my car. Sure enough there was a smallish spot about the size of large cookie under the right front wheel well area.

I opened the side outside door to the garage, but was afraid to open the overhead door using the electric opener.

Went online and looked up what to do. Read that the fire dept. had to give the OK before the car could be towed. So, called AAA, told them the situation. They said that there had to be a fire dept. OK and/or all the gas had to be drained. Good thing I was near empty and chose not to gas up this evening on the way home!

I called the fire dept. here in the little rural town I live in. Got an answering machine saying, "Leave a message." So, I called the nearest larger neighboring town FD, and was given a number to call for the county.

The FD arrived within 10 minutes. Two big trucks, and poor Seneca (my newly adopted rescue dog), was scared to pieces by all the flashing lights, the big guys, and the heavy duty engine sounds. But, she did really well, and stayed with me on her leash without barking...just had really shaky legs...poor baby!

Turns out the car is leaking. The guys rolled it out after manually opening the overhead door, and gas was drip/flowing as it moved down the driveway.

I called AAA back, and am getting a tow at 7 AM. The tow guy didn't want me to leave the car just dropped off at the repair place in the middle of the night. and around here, that's a good idea. At least I live in a pretty good neighborhood, so it should be OK in the driveway for the next three hours.

I went out to close up things, lock the car, and OOPS! One of the fire guys had taken my keys... x( I called county dispatch back, and a fireman was back her in 15 minutes a little embarrassed. But, Hey! Natural thing to do when you have keys in your hand is to put them in your pocket. Oh well! ;)

Now, Seneca is all calmed down, my car is out in the driveway, the garage is closed, the filter for the A/C is changed, the smell is gone, and I highly doubt I'll be sleeping tonight. :::sigh:::

Think it would be OK to open a bottle of wine at 4AM? :P

[AirmensMom]

1. Oh, my!

:scared: I'm so glad you're safe! Yes, by all means, open the bottle of wine! :grouphug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Thank you! It's a lovely Chardonnay!

I just opened the patio slider, too. Even though the smell in the house seems to be gone (I aired it out for over an hour before turning A/C back on) I started to get a headache...and am not a headache person. I think the gasoline leak has been going on for a few days. Have been smelling that odor, but tonight it was very strong. And over the last several days/nights, have had headaches...one that kept me up almost all night.

So, the lovely Chardonnay, some fresh air with the A/C going (and some Ibuprofen) should make me feel much better :)

[AirmensMom]

3. OMG, that is just so scary.

:scared: I get those fumes when harleydad comes home on his motorcycle and puts the garage door down too soon. (Nothing leaks, but motorcycles smell like gas unless they have some fancy CA package on them.) That's enough to make me nervous!

I'm so glad you used your head. I probably would have lit a match or something. :silly:

It probably doesn't sound logical, but there can still be enough stuff left in the house to give you a headache even if you don't still smell it and the danger is over. Sitting outside isn't a bad idea. Enjoy that Chardonnay! :9

[WCGreen]

4. Okay, I know a lot of women have this thing for firemen....

But did you have to concoct such an elaborate ruse just to get a look at some fireman in their uniforms....


Next time buy a calender...












Seriously, I am glad it all worked out for you.....

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. ROFL I DO love firemen!

Cutting the fuel line works every time! :rofl:


Actually, am kinda proud of myself for figuring things out as I did, and doing all the right things....I WAS lying in bed, and kept drifting, but something in the back of my mind kept pushing me to get up and check it all out. I so wanted to ignore the smell, and let the goofy feeling take over with the thought that hey! It can wait 'til morning. Good thing I didn't There was a lot of gas leaking out as the car was rolled out of the garage. :::whew:::






edited due to three glasses of a lovely Chardonnay....

[WCGreen]

6. We are all glad as well.....

CArs are dangerous machines whether on or off the highway...

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. My Chardonnay and I want to say...

:loveya:

[LaraMN]

8. How scary!

I'm glad you figured out what it was before anything more dangerous happened!:scared:

[Whoa_Nelly]

10. Just woke up from catching an hour of zzzzzz

The AAA guy just took my car to the shop.

Thanks, LaraMN. :loveya:

Am glad nothing happened yesterday evening when I was first noticing that strong odor, and got into my car to drive to my son's place!

[NewWaveChick1981]

9. Glad you and Seneca are OK!

:hi: :hug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. Thanks you, NWC!

Seneca and I have had about an hour's worth of sleep. Just waiting about 20 more minutes until the shop opens where my car is being towed to right now so I can call them.

We're doing fine right now...just tired ;)

:hi: :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. My dear Nelly!

Wow, that is some story........

Sweetie, I am so glad you got up and investigated the smell........

I suspect that your headache was from the carbon monoxide in the gas...

This is one of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning......

Have a nice nap, whenever you get it!

:hug: :loveya:

[Whoa_Nelly]

14. Just got up from a catch-up nap (11 AM)

Am glad I figured it out and wasn't exposed too long to the fumes. Can still smell it some in the house, so will keep airing as much as I can with htis heat today.

Thanks, sweet Peggy! :loveya: :hi:

[Floogeldy]

13. Ah, the old "I accidently put your keys in my pocket" gag.

He thinks you're hot and wanted to see you again.

[Whoa_Nelly]

15. And I'll say to you what I told him....

I prefer bigger units ;)







:rofl:

[Whoa_Nelly]

16. Just kicking for my evening Lounge Lizard friends to read

It really was quite the middle of the night event.

And to top it off, the hood latch caught on the hood stick support when the hood was dropped to shut (don't know what to call it...the bar that holds the hood up). The shop has spent all day trying to figure out how to open the hood, so I still have car in shop through tomorrow.

Looks like I'll be walking to my dentist app't in the AM :eyes:
Good thing it's only about 3 blocks from me...