Fuel Tank venting ?.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
I just installed one of those hatch vents to keep the window open, now I am getting gas fumes inside the car. If I drive the car for 10 miles and then remove the cap,I get a big whoosh of fumes for at least 6 sec. I was using a locking cap but switched back to the original non locking one, no difference. What gives here. At least I dont smoke 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 3
From: Chandler AZ
Chances are the fuel vapor return line coming from the charcoal cannister in the engine compartment is cracked. Its the small line coming into the fuel tank from the drivers side of the car. There are two areas where the line is rubber hose. One small section is located at the left top of the fuel tank. The other small section is down on the front driver bottom of the fuel tank. Other than that the fuel vapor return line is aluminum all the way back up to the front of the car where it again sprouts a rubber hose as it enters the fuel vapor or charcoal cannister. These rubber sections are not the same high quality high pressure fuel line used for the fuel supply and return lines and will crack from dry rot over time. Although probably overkill I replaced those two little sections with high pressure fuel hose and high pressure clamps. Another possibility is the seal on the gas cap. Check your cap o-ring to make sure its not cracked or deformed in any way. I suppose when you discuss a big whoosh of fumes you are referring to the back pressure of the tank when you are pulling the cap off? Thats normal... mine does it too.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
The fumes are coming from the gas cap, I just went out for a run and when I smelled it in the car I stopped and checked, I can only smell fumes at the cap and I can hear a faint hissing sound, like a tire leak. When I removed the cap, same thing, big whoosh as the tank depressurized. I think I better remove the vent line at the cannister and see if I can blow air back into the tank, maybe the line got plugged up somehow. If this is normal then there is now way I can use the hatch vent, Ill pass out from the fumes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
FYI:Problem found 
There are two vacumn actuated valves in the system & one electric. One vacumn one is part of the charcoal canister and the other is in the tank purge line about 4" from the canister. The canister one works fine but the inline one is stuck closed and won't open no matter how much vacumn I put on it. The electric one is probably ok because the diagnostics indicate that the cold start and idle would be rough if it failed. BTW the tank vent line is ok.
[This message has been edited by djpearn (edited 07-07-2001).]
There are two vacumn actuated valves in the system & one electric. One vacumn one is part of the charcoal canister and the other is in the tank purge line about 4" from the canister. The canister one works fine but the inline one is stuck closed and won't open no matter how much vacumn I put on it. The electric one is probably ok because the diagnostics indicate that the cold start and idle would be rough if it failed. BTW the tank vent line is ok.[This message has been edited by djpearn (edited 07-07-2001).]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thanks for letting me know about the topic on search..
This is pretty much what my car has been doing...excess gas hissing and smell, also a very hot tank and fumes.
I have a new cannister now, and new vacuum peices with the new lines...my old ones were clogged..I even looked inside the old cannister and it has this black gunk stuck in the tubes.
Ill keep ya all posted what I find out soon...hopefully its just a clogged line easy fix.
If I change the line and the tank still heats up, I have to look at the pump and wiring again..it all checked out good so far though.The pump is a few months old.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
I can smell gas from the gas cap of mine too. Funny thing is when i got the car inspected 2 months ago they tested the cap and it was fine... so I'm not complaining. I don't smoke or use a torch welder back there, so not a problem for me. I might replace it if I decide i have $10 to blow.
