Chris2012

Hey guys I have a strong gas smell but have not found a leak. I have read on here that the filter in the fuel canister may be bad. I located the canister black coffe can looking thing and popped off the bottom cover and noticed a fiberglass type filter that was in bad shape. I went to try and pull it out and black charcoal like stuff came pooring out so I left it alone. Is this the filter that needs to be replaced or am I doing something wrong? Also there is a plastic fitting/tube on the bottom that was not connected to anyhting, it appeared to me that a hose may need to on it going to something? If I am being to confusing I can try and take a picture and put it on here. Thanks, Chris

Oldguard 7

You found out first hand why the canister is also called a charcol canister. Yes this is the filter that must be replaced. Not sure if they have replacements though.

fanmanbd

The bottom hose is just a drain about 6 inches long. I don't think that the charcoal should come pouring out when you remove the filter. Not sure about a 79 but on my 73 the charcoal can not be replaced with out cutting the canister.

Red 69

If your car is a driver, just put a bolt into the hose coming from the fuel tank and remove, or leave the canister. On my 79 I removed the canister to make room to mount a line lock solenoid. I leave my fuel tank cap 1/4 turn from full lock and never had a problem with pressure or fuel smell. If you are in an inspection state, you might like to keep the canister and reconnect before inspection. There have been many threads on this subject over the years.

Chris2012

On thanks guys I may just plug the line and go from there.

1986coupe

Replacement filters are available and are not expensive. However, the fact that charcoal came out is a little concerning. Often the strong fuel odor is an indication that the charcoal canister needs to be replaced. Do you have all of the lines connected properly?

travelerbob

Whare is it located? I have a fitting on the carb for a hose but no hose.

JPGearjammer

I think I saw mine tucked away between the drivers front wheel well and firewall

dgood

You can buy the charcoal at a animal store (it is the same stuff used for fish tank filters) and you can buy the foam part of the filters from willcox. Easy fix but you do have to take the canister out to do all this.

72 corvette roadster

I have read MANY of the posts on this subject and also had a strong fuel smell coming from my 72. After going through my complete vapor recovery system and ensuring everything was as original and in perfect working order, I still had a fuel smell coming from the vehicle after parking.

One thing that was mentioned to me by a colleague, but I have not seen mentioned on this forum is the fact that fuel with 10% ethanol (most pump fuel now days) boils off at a lower temperature than "pure" gas. So after parking, the heat from the intake/engine boils the fuel in the carb off into the air filter and thus stinking up the garage.

A switch to "pure" gas has eliminated most of the smell for me.

Anyone else experienced this?

72 corvette roadster

Oh, and, just in my opinion, plugging hoses, bypassing sytems and such is unnecessary and not the proper way to go. There is no reason not to have this system hooked up properly. Just an opinion...

7T1vette

There is no 'downside' to keeping the system intact, other than it is a bit of money and trouble to accomplish. If someone were to scrap their vapor canister, then the fuel cap should be changed to a "vented" cap.

iokepakai

Check for fuel percolation after shutdown.My problem was fuel dripping down the carb due to heat soak.Wait a few minutes after you park then look down carb throat for fuel.I had a puddle at the bottom of the intake.An air gap manifold and new Summit carb cured that.You may need a carb heat shield....Aloha's