2001 Fuel Vapor Odor
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Central Coast Ca
2001 Fuel Vapor Odor
My coupe smells like gas near the rear of the car after a fill up but I never see any signs of a leak. The gas cap holds pressure but the tank never releases pressure when the cap is removed. No codes in PCM, is this normal?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 52
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From: Central Coast Ca
I checked the I/M monitors and the evap system checks ok, I've checked the fuel filter before and saw no signs of leaks. If it were the filter it wouldn't matter if the the tank was full or empty. Can someone tell me if the tank is supposed to build up enough pressure to hear it when the cap is removed, thats how all of my other cars are.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
There's a pressure vent valve in the rear of the car to prevent extreme tank pressure but too date, I've only heard of one failure. Usually the leak happens at the fuel filter as stated. Now one thing is serious here....if you can smell fuel, you have a leak. Leaking fuel back there is a BAD thing because the hot exhaust is all over the place. Find it and fix it right away.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 52
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From: Central Coast Ca
Found the problem
The right tank has a vent assembly molded to the top of it which has a pressure valve built into that no longer holds pressure also the 1/2" hose coming out of it is formed onto the fitting and doesn't fit tight any more. When I fill the tank the valve doesn't hold the fuel in so some of it goes into the charcoal canister and a tiny bit teaks out of the tank fitting. The only way to fix it properly is to replace the tank. You would think GM would have learned their lessons with fuel tanks by now. I guess I just won't fill the tank any more. 
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
There is also a white vent or pressure relief which runs from the left tank to the far right side under the rear fender. Its a hard plastic line so unless you've been hit on the back right, I doubt its damaged.
