Fuel smell problem - finally solved

[Ace]

For about 3+ years my 1983 Tercel often had a strong fuel smell and I was never able to find the source. There was no visible leakage until one day when I parked the car out in the hot sun for a while, after which there was a steady drip of gasoline from the fuel pump body, not the hoses. I also discovered that the fuel tank had excessive pressure. When I vented the fuel tank by loosening the filler cap, the fuel drip stopped.

I replaced the (original) fuel pump, which appeared to have been seeping from the crimped connection for the two halves of the main chamber. I tested the carbon cannister according to the FSM and found it was plugged.

For now I have disconnected the carbon cannister and plugged or vented the connections as appropriate. Apparently the fuel pump had been seeping enough to cause a fuel smell without visibly dripping for some time, aggravated by a plugged carbon cannister which allowed excessive pressure in the fuel tank.

I would be interested to hear any relevant comments.

[dlb]

sounds like you already figured it out--your carbon can is really plugged and causing excessive pressure within the gas tank. i had a similar experience a few years back. i suggest purging the carbon can and reinstalling it. to purge the can, just blow compressed air (i think about 40-50 PSI) into the inlet pipe on top of the carbon can for a while. it should unclog, check it after a minute or so. if it doesn't, i've had success with submerging and soaking the can in water and dish soap, and for really tough ones, repeatedly spraying carb cleaner into the ports and blowing it out with compressed air. took a few days and a lot of carb spray but i've yet to meet a carbon can i couldn't unclog!

let us know if that doesn't solve your gas smell. i think it should.

[speedgraphic]

dlb to the rescue - I didn't have a super-strong gas smell but I definitely have had excessive tank pressure. Imma clean my carbon canister now!