fuel vapor can

[tigmaned]

fuel vapor can fuel smell cause?

has anyone else tried to take this apart?? i am getting a fuel smell in side the car while driving but its not all the time, and from what i have read, it seems the fuel vapor cannister could be the problem? well i took it out last night, and along with some really beat hoses going to it, i didn't smell gas from its hose openings, and it doesn't look like the bottom comes off the change the filter inside? don't tell me i have to buy a whole new one??

 

[tigmaned]

nobody?

 

[Edmond]

Are you talking about the black canister right by the driver side headlight area?

 

[tigmaned]

yeah, i have it all the hoses off and going to try putting all new hoses to it since there turning my hands black just by touching them. one line comeing out the bottom was almost plugged with something??

rockauto.com has new ones for $52.00

 

[C4Tom]

It seems like I read something about this recently. I can't remember the remedy though, sorry.

My thoughts:
If the lines are cracked, replace them.
You might try to clean the canister with carb cleaner. (I believe it has activated charcoal in it, not sure if this will hurt it)

Sorry, not much help. I'll search the 'net to see if I can get some answers.

 

[chevyaddict]

Actually I've replaced this on two vehicles... not corvettes but chevies. And yes.. it did fix the fuel smell and no you won't smell it directly from the canister. Something about the car running under vacuum pressure that will cause intermittent fuel smell. Just my two cents.

 

[C4Tom]

I just looked through my C4 Vette manual and it says that a fuel odor means the canister is probably clogged. Looks like you may need to replace it.

 

[tigmaned]

i am going to try and take the bottom off?? it almost looks like it comes off?

 

[Edmond]

I don't think the unit is made to be disassembled but give it a try, you don't have anything to lose because it's a problem that will have to be addressed.

 

[tigmaned]

well the bottom didn't want to come off, i was able to turn it some but no dice. so i changed all the hoses and lines going to it and but it back together for now. i found one for $52 bucks on rockauto.com

 

[yitbos]

I had the exact same problem on my 84. Replaced the canister and that seemed to get rid of the issue. Then 2 years later, it was back and even worse. I thought the solenoid was bad, but notised the gas smell in the back compartment, not coming from the ac vent or under the hood.

I had one of the gas caps taht you can put the nozzle of the gas pump thorugh. Turns out this was my problem. Gas, somehow, was getting out of the cap and causing the strong fume oder. I put the old gas cap on and the problem was gone instantly.

 

[Edmond]

I had one of the gas caps taht you can put the nozzle of the gas pump thorugh. Turns out this was my problem. Gas, somehow, was getting out of the cap and causing the strong fume oder. I put the old gas cap on and the problem was gone instantly.

Wow, that didn't set off the SES?

 

[tigmaned]

anybody with a good canister out there? i was wondering if i should be able to blow air into any of the holes at the top of it?? i couldn't on mine? it must be bad?

 

[C4Tom]

Just an idea... wonder if you can use a canister from any gm car from your year???

Get one at a junkyard and probably $10. They might even offer a return policy.

 

[tigmaned]

great idea!! i can bring some vac hose with to test it too!!!

thanks!!

 

[C4Tom]

No problem Hope it works for you.

 

[tigmaned]

is that the right way to test one, blow into the vacuum line part on top of the cannister?

 

[jiangtao]

I just have replaced the canister and the purge valve. Didn't fix it! Then I knew the solenoid was bad. Discontinued! I got one from Contemporary Corvettes and it seemed to do the trick. I also noticed that when I let off the pedal and coast it doesn't seem to bog down as much. When I took the purge valve off I dumped about a tablespoon of gas out of it. I haven't checked it today, but am going to. Also, I still get a gas smell sometimes, but I do know that the gasket between the fuel pump assembly and gas tank is bad. Just some things to consider.

 

[tigmaned]

yeah i was think both of those too! some times i smell gas at the fuel tank too. some of my fuel lines coming off from the top of the tank look pretty rusty, but i smeeling gas while driving some times??

 

[jiangtao]

If it's the vapor canister or anything to do with it you should hit the pedal hard and after speeding up a little let off the gas and be able to smell fuel. If the tank is the culprit then after turning the car off walk behind and put your nose beside the license plate. You should smell gas.