Ncrowe

Recently my girlfriend was given a LS400 as a gift from ger grandmother. We like the car except for the fact the inside of it smells like someone soaked everything in gas. From what I've read this far it seems like the vacuum canister is full of gas. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and if it was related to the cold start injector or the actual VSV switch or sensor? Also is there anywhere to get the vacuum canister less than 300 dollars or can it be bypassed in anyway.

Thanks,
Nate

Ncrowe

Turned out to be a cracked gas tank of all things

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

dang thats dangerous.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Ouch.

The tank being behind the seat...how was it damaged?

That is one aspect of this design I didn't like. Keep explosive fluids isolated from the passenger compartment. I do realize that it does have some merit, I just prefer an external tank. Not to mention it kills about 8 cuft of trunk space. Also for any repairs, it involves pulling the rear seats.

nthach

Mercedes also used the same setup for years - the gas tank when full also put weight over the rear axle.

Honda installs their hybrid battery packs for the Civic Hybrid/Accord Hybrid in that same spot - I think a 144V NiMH power pack with all its safeguards in place is safer than 22 gallons of gas in that spot.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Kill the fuel pump or ruin any of the fuel related sensors in tank on the LS, the access port faces the passenger cabin. So you can image some technician having to crawl around the back to access this smelly fluid. He removes the pump and if not careful about dripping...

What has me curious is the location of this crack and how. Due to it's isolated location, it's not in stone or road debris path. If something big heavy and pointed were tossed around the trunk cavity, there is possibility. The filler tube but it has a flexible seal.

???

I haven't looked much into the LS600H gas and battery area design. (rambling off...)