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Am I missing my charcoal canister?

  • Thread starter Thread starter opihinalu
  • Start date Start date Feb 10, 2021
  • Tags Tags
    foxbody fuel leak fuel system gas smell part help

opihinalu

Active Member
Feb 10, 2021
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Feb 10, 2021
#1
  • Feb 10, 2021
  • #1
I have a 1986 GT and I get gas fumes coming from the engine. I don't know much about cars but I will try to explain the problem the best I can.

I smell the fumes in the car, especially while accelerating fast and sometimes after idling for a long time. It doesn't smell like raw gas and it's fairly strong. I have had people notice the smell on my clothes. The car is pretty much stock. There is also a faint black smoke coming out of my exhaust and the gas gauge wavers quite a bit (not sure if that would be related to my problem).

My first guess after doing some research was that it was the fuel pressure regulator. I have looked at it and it doesn't seem to be bad. I pulled off the vacuum line (or whatever the lines is that comes out the top of it) and no gas came out as I heard was a symptom of it being bad. Now I am starting to assume that it is something wrong with a fuel injector but I don't really know how to tell. I ordered some UV dye stuff to put in my gas tank and hopefully tell where the leak is coming from. There is also a slight leak coming from the bottom of the car but I am pretty sure that is brake fluid because I have to refill that fairly regularly.

Does anyone know what the problem could possibly be?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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Feb 10, 2021
#2
  • Feb 10, 2021
  • #2
Is your charcoal canister intact and what is it condition?
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
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Feb 11, 2021
#3
  • Feb 11, 2021
  • #3
Brake leaks....smelling gas fumes...you need to stop driving that thing until you can get those things fixed.
 
Reactions: General karthief

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
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Feb 13, 2021
#4
  • Feb 13, 2021
  • #4
opihinalu said:
I smell the fumes in the car, especially while accelerating fast and sometimes after idling for a long time. It doesn't smell like raw gas and it's fairly strong.
Click to expand...


Are you smelling gas......or are you talking about smelling exhaust? You say your clothes stink...that sounds like exhaust with no catalytic converters and/or running rich.
 
Reactions: Gs1987GT

arnie93lx

Active Member
Oct 1, 2005
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Columbus, OH
Feb 13, 2021
#5
  • Feb 13, 2021
  • #5
If there are no gas leaks on the engine especially around the fuel injectors and rails I would definitely check the charcoal canister and lines going from it to the fuel tank. Part of the line is rubber and part is steel tube.. Also check the exhaust for leaks.
 

opihinalu

Active Member
Feb 10, 2021
180
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Florida
Feb 16, 2021
#6
  • Feb 16, 2021
  • #6
I dont know much about cars and I recently bought this 1986 GT. Ever sense I bought it I have noticed a gas fume smell coming from the engine. I ignored it for a while but it has recently started to annoy me. I have tried to find the cause and I think I have with the help of people on this forum. I was going to test if my charcoal canister is bad and when I was looking for it I found this. I am pretty sure this is where it is supposed to be located (the image is taken right behind the radiator on the right side) and there is a detached cable and a metal line running into a pipe above my radiator into the engine area. Is this where the charcoal canister is supposed to be? If not, where is it? I'm having trouble finding it.
 

opihinalu

Active Member
Feb 10, 2021
180
19
28
Florida
Feb 16, 2021
#7
  • Feb 16, 2021
  • #7
Mstng93SSP said:
Are you smelling gas......or are you talking about smelling exhaust? You say your clothes stink...that sounds like exhaust with no catalytic converters and/or running rich.
Click to expand...
I guess I was talking about smelling exhaust. Sorry I don't know much about cars. Trying to learn.
 

Willybill32

But at least it's tight!
5 Year Member
Jul 16, 2019
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Lexington, KY
Feb 16, 2021
#8
  • Feb 16, 2021
  • #8
opihinalu said:
I dont know much about cars and I recently bought this 1986 GT. Ever sense I bought it I have noticed a gas fume smell coming from the engine. I ignored it for a while but it has recently started to annoy me. I have tried to find the cause and I think I have with the help of people on this forum. I was going to test if my charcoal canister is bad and when I was looking for it I found this. I am pretty sure this is where it is supposed to be located (the image is taken right behind the radiator on the right side) and there is a detached cable and a metal line running into a pipe above my radiator into the engine area. Is this where the charcoal canister is supposed to be? If not, where is it? I'm having trouble finding it.

Search LMR.com for Ford Mustang Parts

Looking for specific Ford Mustang parts? Search LMR.com to find Mustang wheels, drivetrain parts & more to complete your restoration or upgrade your Pony.
lmr.com
Click to expand...
Looks like you have the bracket, but not the canister. This link will show the pieces:
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
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Feb 16, 2021
#9
  • Feb 16, 2021
  • #9
Post 1. The canister is missing.
Post 2. The link is also missing.
Coincidence beyond bad luck?
 

Willybill32

But at least it's tight!
5 Year Member
Jul 16, 2019
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Lexington, KY
Feb 16, 2021
#10
  • Feb 16, 2021
  • #10
Sorry about that. This is from LMR.com:

Search LMR.com for Ford Mustang Parts

Looking for specific Ford Mustang parts? Search LMR.com to find Mustang wheels, drivetrain parts & more to complete your restoration or upgrade your Pony.
lmr.com
 

Willybill32

But at least it's tight!
5 Year Member
Jul 16, 2019
628
348
83
Lexington, KY
Feb 16, 2021
#11
  • Feb 16, 2021
  • #11
Looks like they won't let me post the exact link. Instead, go to LMR.com, check on the "Shop 1979-1993" link and search for Mustang charcoal canister. It will show the canister, bracket, solenoid, etc.
 

Rdub6

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues
5 Year Member
Dec 29, 2017
3,953
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153
Long Island, NY
Feb 16, 2021
#12
  • Feb 16, 2021
  • #12

Mustang Charcoal Canister Restoration Kit (87-93) - LMR

Replace your malfunctioning 1979-1993 Mustang charcoal vapor canister with this charcoal canister restoration kit from LMR!
lmr.com
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
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polk county florida
Feb 16, 2021
#13
  • Feb 16, 2021
  • #13
Rockauto has the canister too
 
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