Fuel smell
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: southern California
Fuel smell
Yesterday my wife told me she smelled fuel when she turned on the AC on our '93 SSEi.
I opened the hood and took a look while the engine was idling in Park, but didn't see any fuel leaking around the 2 fuel line connections, injectors, fuel rail valve, or the fuel pressure regulator. The lines to the fuel vapor canister seem to be connected ok. I also looked on the ground around the vehicle but didn't see fuel dripping anywhere.
I did notice something odd, though - there appeared to be a dried yellowish residue in the rectangular recess on the top of the supercharger. This recess is near where the snout mates to the supercharger body. What could possibly have leaked there and dried up?
Any Ideas?
I opened the hood and took a look while the engine was idling in Park, but didn't see any fuel leaking around the 2 fuel line connections, injectors, fuel rail valve, or the fuel pressure regulator. The lines to the fuel vapor canister seem to be connected ok. I also looked on the ground around the vehicle but didn't see fuel dripping anywhere.
I did notice something odd, though - there appeared to be a dried yellowish residue in the rectangular recess on the top of the supercharger. This recess is near where the snout mates to the supercharger body. What could possibly have leaked there and dried up?
Any Ideas?
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: southern California
I checked the supercharger oil level not long ago. It'* strange that the residue is only in that recess area; there'* no sign of residue on either side of that recess.
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: southern California
Update:
I took another look at it last night, and the fuel smell seems to be coming from the area above the fuel vapor canister.
I removed the airbox assembly and windshield washer reservoir and took a look. I replaced the 2 rubber connections that connect to the canister, although they looked ok before I did that. The plastic tubes look ok; I didn't see any cracks or other damage.
Does the solenoid just lift up for removal? How is it sealed to the fuel vapor canister?
So what next? Have any of you ever dealt with this problem before, and is it safe to drive this way?
It seems to me that it could be one of the following:
1) the fuel vapor canister is cracked somewhere
2) the canister is saturated with fuel; but isn't there a check valve near the tank somewhere to prevent this, so only vapor goes to the canister?
3) one of the plastic tubes is cracked
4) the solenoid body is cracked or the seal between it and the canister is leaking
Did I miss anything? Could the solenoid be stuck closed or open and cause a fuel smell? That doesn't seem logical to me.
Thanks.
I took another look at it last night, and the fuel smell seems to be coming from the area above the fuel vapor canister.
I removed the airbox assembly and windshield washer reservoir and took a look. I replaced the 2 rubber connections that connect to the canister, although they looked ok before I did that. The plastic tubes look ok; I didn't see any cracks or other damage.
Does the solenoid just lift up for removal? How is it sealed to the fuel vapor canister?
So what next? Have any of you ever dealt with this problem before, and is it safe to drive this way?
It seems to me that it could be one of the following:
1) the fuel vapor canister is cracked somewhere
2) the canister is saturated with fuel; but isn't there a check valve near the tank somewhere to prevent this, so only vapor goes to the canister?
3) one of the plastic tubes is cracked
4) the solenoid body is cracked or the seal between it and the canister is leaking
Did I miss anything? Could the solenoid be stuck closed or open and cause a fuel smell? That doesn't seem logical to me.
Thanks.
#6
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,448
Likes: 6
From: _Phoenix, AZ_ _WCBF '05, '06, '07 Survivor_ ____NEBF '07 Remnant___
The canister CAN fill with fuel if the system is not operating correctly and a damaged canister could release the fuel odor.
Not sure about the solenoid...I suggest disconnecting the electrical and vacuum lines from the canister, remove the canister and inspect it for damage as well as trying to determine if there is fuel inside.
I assume you have no MIL (SES) light or codes? An issue with a bad EVAP system usually throws a code on 96 and up Bonnes.
Not sure about the solenoid...I suggest disconnecting the electrical and vacuum lines from the canister, remove the canister and inspect it for damage as well as trying to determine if there is fuel inside.
I assume you have no MIL (SES) light or codes? An issue with a bad EVAP system usually throws a code on 96 and up Bonnes.
#7
Bill..the soleniod is more like a gently remove from the clips. I've got a couple spares for 95 laying around..not sure if they are the same.
Is the car ever overfilled with fuel? It could have run down into the canister.
Is the car ever overfilled with fuel? It could have run down into the canister.
#8
Bob, it'* on his '93, so probably no code. However, I agree with your recommendation. This is a common failure mode for the Evap system. I bet you will have to replace that charcoal cannister. I would replace the purge valve also, personally.
While you are at it, review all the evap vacuum lines and the other rubber connectors for cracks or breaks. Those connectors often age and go bad.
While you are at it, review all the evap vacuum lines and the other rubber connectors for cracks or breaks. Those connectors often age and go bad.
#9
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: southern California
Originally Posted by Echo SSEI
The canister CAN fill with fuel if the system is not operating correctly and a damaged canister could release the fuel odor.
I assume you have no MIL (SES) light or codes? An issue with a bad EVAP system usually throws a code on 96 and up Bonnes.
I assume you have no MIL (SES) light or codes? An issue with a bad EVAP system usually throws a code on 96 and up Bonnes.
I probably won't have a chance to remove the canister and look at it until this weekend, but I'll post my findings.
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: southern California
Originally Posted by BillBoost37
Bill..the soleniod is more like a gently remove from the clips. I've got a couple spares for 95 laying around..not sure if they are the same.
Is the car ever overfilled with fuel? It could have run down into the canister.
Is the car ever overfilled with fuel? It could have run down into the canister.
Thanks.