cl1667@hou2d.UUCP (C.LUZE) (08/19/85)
><
First of all, thanks to everyone who replied by mail
or phone to my request for information about fuel odors.
My problem turned out to be a leaking hose on the fuel
return line at the connection to the gas tank. I confess
that this should have been the second thing to check when
I did not find any leaks under the hood (You mean you
ACTUALLY want me to CRAWL UNDER THE CAR???).
Let me summarize the responses:
Charcoal Canister (evaporative emissions control) was the
most common reply. This collects fuel vapors when the car
is not running, holds them until the engine is started and
are sucked out into the intake manifold. The canister can
become saturated with vapor or liquid - one person replaced
the charcoal with aquarium charcoal filter material - or
hose connections can become loose, cracked, etc. My canister
also has a filter on the bottom that can become clogged
and cause odors (so says the parts supplier who sold me one?).
Another person simply vented the canister under the car with
a length of hose.
Older cars simply vent the gas tank to the atmosphere. One
person found that an open window would suck the vapors into
the car. Again, a piece of hose was used to vent the vapors
to where they would not enter the car.
Sometimes other odors are confused for fuel smells. These other
odors can be caused a clogged PCV valve or PCV hoses. Look
for signs of puffing around the oil breather cap, PCV valve, etc.
Apparently it is possible for a faulty seal around the gas cap
or in the gas cap vent can cause fuel odors. This was offered
as a solution on the net before.
Finally, one person replied that the first-year Omni/Horizons
had a problem where the carpet fasteners punctured the fuel tank.
Hope this helps someone else, and thanks again to those who
responded.
Curt Luze