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For those who loves puzzles- I have one for you today
At least it looks like one to me.
My car (2001 GS430) has a VERY strong gas smell after I fill up the tank to the full. Now I am not adding any fuel after the first click (thought maybe I am just overfilling it) but it still smells for two-three days until the level drops a bit (smells outside, cabin is fine).
Ok, could be a tank or evap system leak, but I should have a check engine light in this case, and I don't. Ok, then it's all tight, right? And making it "untight" should light up the magic lamp.
I have undone the gas cap couple turns (feels very loose and definitely does not hold any pressure or vacuum), closed the lid and went for a ride today.
No check engine
I could be the first person ever to be upset by that fact.
Total ride was around 100 km, with few complete stops (engine off, key out, in case car wants to see problem present during multiple trips)
Also worth mentioning that usually when I undo the cap for fuelling I can hear "sucking noise" and air rushing inside, which should mean it is tight and holds the vacuum.
So my question- what could be the reason for those things? Bad vacuum sensors? Fells like car should report it anyway and throw a DTC.
Maybe car still had too little time to throw an error?
On top of the gas tank is a "roll over valve". It cracks around the top. If you stand next to your car and by rear doors and smell gas that it what it is. Your not hearing sucking noise you are hearing pressure releive. There is a youtube video under IS300 which shows the valve. You have to drop the tank. Warning when you remove the valve will look perfect, put some soapy water on it and you will see the bubbles.
I am pretty sure it is actual vacuum. And I think it is what supposed to be there with a help of the VSV next to the intake.
Thanks a lot for the hint on the valve, tank removal sounds like an adventure
I can feel the smell mostly next to the driver side (left) rear door, so the filler pipe could also be the problem
No its the fuel tnk vent valve. The purpose of the emmission system is to keep gas vapors in the tank, if they escape you loose fuel. The tank allows air to enter the tank so it doesnt pull a vacuum and collapse. Again much easier and less intrusive to cut hoel in floor board. These are not collector cars and nobody will ever know or care.
Oh my. Gas tank rotted out? I live in south zero rust. That not the vent valve. It’s on top ofvtank
I live in Germany, it’s not that bad, but could be better
It is still puzzling to me, I took the back seat out, to see if fuel pump gasket is the reason, because it is located right there and… fuel is all over the place
It would make sense to me, if the wet spot would go from the gasket downwards, but gas is everywhere, so it looks like it’s coming from above
But that also does not make sense since there is nothing to leak above
The vent valve and other stuff located closer to the opposite side, and gas would flow to the right hand side, and not left
:bamboozled:
It is definitely somewhere on very top, since it's now only about a gallon gone since the full tank- and it's all perfect again
Seams are dry, no drops or puddles to be found, and even smell is also no more
Today I have finally found time to take a look on my fuel delivery unit, to check if this is the case. To my huge surprise- unscrew of that mess was problem-free
The upper part of the unit (one, that makes sealed contact with the rubber o-ring) has decomposed itself. It also has cracks, so fuel gets through it and leaks underneath the tank.
I now have a problem with ordering a replacement, of course I would like to get a new upper part (plate sub-assy, or whatever it called), but one that I have is not available (77020-30120). Only some used complete assemblies.
Can I get away with GS300 top plate? I am seeing whole bunch of different numbers for parts, that look identical (77020-30010, 77020-24040, 77024-30040)
77020-30010 is most common, I guess from GS300
77024-30040 is what was suggested in the thread I've mentioned
77020-24040 was installed in SC430 (which also could have mine, 77020-30120)
77024-30040 claims to be compatible with all sorts of vehicles (GS300, GS430, SC430 and more) so I have feeling that all of those are interchangeable, and different numbers are just different revisions, and any of those should fit just fine, but more parts of the assembly could be different…
My order was rejected two days later, because part was out of stock
So I had to get myself a used fuel delivery module out of GS300
It’s “hat”, though, is in muuuch better shape, so I am hoping it still has plenty of life left.
There is, actually a difference between old 77020-30120, and new (to my car ) 77020-30010.
It seems not to matter much, though. 30120 has a plastic pin for a grounding tab (that does not touch any metal, like why…?). And wiring piece, also, has that additional tab.
All that little assembly does mate with blocked port of the fuel filter (30010 comes with different filter type). There are some more minor differences between modules, I can tell more if anyone's interested.
It’s hard to get original parts in reasonable time, here in Germany, so I went with some adequate (hopefully) alternatives. So here is the complete set I have used to rebuild my unit. I also took a “no-extra-grounding-tab” wiring to fit with new hat.
Installed everything back, and happy to report, that leaks and smell are gone, there’s no puddles, and car is happy
So as I- an official enjoyer of every single litre of my gas tank
Finally, no more gas station mind games for full tank avoidance
As a bonus- I got a little pile of emergency spares (pumps are same, for those who curious )
Thank you all, guys, for your help and contribution.
Weird EVAP (?) problem
) 77020-30010.
). And wiring piece, also, has that additional tab.
)
