9 replies to this topic

[bmarshall1]

Hey All, tapping into the wisdom here.  During the second 1/2 of a race or generally the final 10 minutes of a 20 minute race, there is a very strong gasoline smell.  I have never seen a leak but have been told it is likely the charcoal canister by the RR wheel well.  in desperation last weekend at Homestead I removed the bottom two tubes and closed them and sealed those holes in the canister.  I also noticed that going into the upper of the canister there is a tube that goes to a junction box (with a wire pigtail (sensor?)) and then to what looks like a breather cap about the size of a silver dollar.

 

The canister I am talking about is accessible thru the RR wheel well and is about the size of a small shoe box and is canister shaped.

 

Question:  Did I do the right thing?  The smell is diminished but by no means gone, is there something else I should do? Do need to access the opening in the parcel shelf and do something inside?

 

As a side note, I notice when fueling the car the gas can only be poured in at a medium rate less it bubbles back out, I am certain the internals have been removed, but is there a breather that needs opened, is it possible i did something with my sealing of vapor lines this weekend to cause this?

 

Any help is appreciated.

[Johnny D]

Not the expert but inside the trunk at the fillers tubes on the left you have (2) 1/4 dia. SS tubes and then rubber tubes.

I've taken each rubber tube and run them into the other. ==> <==

Only other time I smelled gas was when I didn't get the gasket to seal on the fuel pump.

You should have your fill, (2) 1/4's SS and one SS to rubber 3/4 tube. 3/4 is the vent/overflow I think, that may be plugged or maybe things will get better after the canister dries out.

 

J~

[bmarshall1]

Not the expert but inside the trunk at the fillers tubes on the left you have (2) 1/4 dia. SS tubes and then rubber tubes.

I've taken each rubber tube and run them into the other. ==> <==

Only other time I smelled gas was when I didn't get the gasket to seal on the fuel pump.

You should have your fill, (2) 1/4's SS and one SS to rubber 3/4 tube. 3/4 is the vent/overflow I think, that may be plugged or maybe things will get better after the canister dries out.

 

J~

 

thanks Johnny, I will take a look and see what I can do.

 

[TylerQuance]

There's a plastic evap canister by the RF wheel well that has vacuum hoses running to it. Just lift it off the bracket, disconnect the hoses, then drain it and see if your smell goes away.

 

tq

[davew]

I think you have 2 separate issues.

 

Smell is caused by fuel sloshing up the fill tube and running through the little tubes into the evap system. There are 2 small tubes that go into the filler neck assembly. loop them back into each other and the root cause will be solved. Then remove the black plastic can on the right front fender. Can is about the size of a pop can. It should have nothing in it. There is no charcoal in this canister. Big note, this is only on 1999 cars. 2000 and up do not have these tubes. If enough fuel got into the big canister by the right rear wheel, you may have to replace it.

 

There is a rollover valve in the bottom of the filler neck, it is probably sticking.

 

dave

[Jim Drago]

if the pump has ever been out.. make sure all the screws are in and the gasket has not shrunk up as well

Jim

[Steve Scheifler]

if the pump has ever been out.. make sure all the screws are in and the gasket has not shrunk up as well
Jim

Yep. We’ve had strong fuel smell in the cockpit on several cars and it has always been the pump cover gasket.

[bmarshall1]

Thanks for the replies.  I had a race last weekend at Sebring and here are a few observations (I had not seen these additional posts).  I had looped/connected the two outlets on the canister itself (in the RR wheel well) to each other and closed/pinched off the two lines leading to it, I did not mess with the canister under the hood.  For the most part the smell is all but gone (possibly some residual smell). BUT... and I'm not sure this is an issue, by sealing the lines, the fuel tank is now build up a considerable amount of pressure when taking off the cap.  When I get a moment I'll review the suggestions and look at the line routing again.

 

The pump has been out but the smell is not from that area, thansk for hte suggestion, the fuel filling issue was the particular funnel I was using not letting air back into the tank causing overflow, my friend's car did it also when using that particular funnel.

 

Dave - the new window net is great, large enough to do the job, small enough to let me see the mirror, I gained at least 3 positions because my new greatly enhanced vision

[callumhay]

The lines that need looping together are in the left rear wheel well, accessible from inside the trunk. These are behind a removeable plate. You should see them by the filler tube. On the RR you are talking about all those lines associated with the charcoal cannister that can be seen under the car. I do not know what can and can't be messed with there. I would try to take a look at all the routing of the evap lines and make sure they are stock. The looping of the lines near the filler in the left side of the trunk is easy. I think what you have going on is a combination of what may have been done to your car before along with a new problem and what you have done to the lines in the right rear. The factory service manual has the diagrams and the tests of the evap system . Also take a look as best you can at the fuel lines, the fuel filter, etc. The only things you can't see easily are the flexible parts of the fuel lines that run in front of the tank to beneath the car. I would make sure that they are stock lines with the push connections. Finally take a look at the fuel pressure regulator and that there is no leakage or damage there. It could be as simple as a tiny leak in the valve in the fuel sample port or in the return part of the system. Taking as much of the package shelf off to look at everything along with good diagrams and working through it should get the answer. If it were me, I would not live with any fuel smell issues until it was resolved.

Best of luck with it
Cal

[bmarshall1]

thanks guys, when I have a moment I'll go to the garage and have a look, between remodeling the house from hell and twins due in a month (plus a 3 yr old) I am a bit busy but I appreciate the replies!