I Smell Fuel

[a91what]

Ok so after hunting down issues on my vert, i got it running like gold. Except for the backfire/pop when its cold. The car used to not idle at all when cold so just the pop is miles better.. I recently noticed that when i turn the key i smell raw fuel but i have no fuel line leaks i checked the injectors for leak down and they held pressure for an hour. so im wondering if my charcoal canister is maybe saturated, causing the fuel smell and maybe the missfire/pop. Thanx (my electric fans come on and i can smell it out the cowl of my hood.)

 

[jrichker]

Charcoal canister plumbing - one 3/8" tube from the bottom of the upper manifold to the rubber hose. Rubber hose connects to one side of the canister solenoid valve. Other side of the solenoid valve connects to one side of the canister. The other side of the canister connects to a rubber hose that connects to a line that goes all the way back to the gas tank. There is an electrical connector coming from the passenger side injector harness near #1 injector that plugs into the canister solenoid valve. It's purpose is to vent the gas tank. The solenoid valve opens at cruse to provide some extra fuel. The canister is normally mounted on the passenger side frame rail near the smog pump pulley.

It does not weigh but a pound or so and helps richen up the cruse mixture. It draws no HP & keeps the car from smelling like gasoline in a closed garage. So with all these good things and no bad ones, why not hook it up & use it?


The purge valve solenoid connector is a dangling wire that is near the ECT sensor and oil filler on the passenger side rocker cover. The actual solenoid valve is down next to the carbon canister. There is about 12"-16" of wire that runs parallel to the canister vent hose that comes off the bottom side of the upper intake manifold. That hose connects one port of the solenoid valve; the other port connects to the carbon canister.

The purge valve solenoid should be available at your local auto parts store.

Purge valve solenoid:

The carbon canister is normally mounted on the passenger side frame rail near the smog pump pulley.
Carbon Canister:

 

[a91what]

Ok i understand what it is but that doesnt answer the question. Would i smell fuel if it went bad?
The hose running up to the intake is old and worn it looks cracked so ill replace it, ill check the soleniod. But if its saturated would i smell fuel when the key is on?

 

[jrichker]

Ok i understand what it is but that doesnt answer the question. Would i smell fuel if it went bad?
The hose running up to the intake is old and worn it looks cracked so ill replace it, ill check the soleniod. But if its saturated would i smell fuel when the key is on?

Before you spend money on a new canister, take the old one out and turn it upside down and shake it. if anything that looks like carbon or fuel comes out, replace it. If not, then sit it out in the sun over the weekend and let it dry out.

You could still have fuel leak somewhere. The return line has pressurized fuel in it, so check it out too. Look for places that are unusally clean: gasoline is a great cleaning fluid...

 

[a91what]

Thanks i will try all that. Another question-- when i first start her up she idle's fine but if i just barely touch the gas the rpms drop like she's gonna die out.... I had this problem before and tried replacing everything that didnt give me a good reading, i recently replace the MAF but same issue i have not checked the harness and cant check for codes i cant find the STI connector i know where to look and what to look for but its just not there..... There is an extra wire in my diagnostic plug its red and white but not sure if its the right one... Thanks