Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83 based; site hou2d.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!hou2d!cl1667 From: cl1667@hou2d.UUCP (C.LUZE) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Fuel Odor - Summary and Conclusion Message-ID: <638@hou2d.UUCP> Date: Mon, 19-Aug-85 16:15:58 EDT Article-I.D.: hou2d.638 Posted: Mon Aug 19 16:15:58 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 20-Aug-85 22:20:42 EDT Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ Lines: 46 >< 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