Anyone recognize this problem; when my 92 Z is hot, or sometimes when I turn it off there is a strong gas smell from the tank area. I changed all hoses and vacuum lines on the return side. There is what I assume to be a tank pressure relief valve directly in front of the rear axle. I am not sure if this is the culprit, since it seems to work when you blow through it. I am wondering if these fatigue over time and cause this problem?
Thanks

 

umm...how much do you fill up your gas tank? sometimes when you overfill it, actual gas will get into the charcoal canister and cause that fuel smell.

 

Hey bud, did you realize that there is a recall out on your car? If you haven't already had it checked at the dealer to see if it applies you should. I just looked at the FAQ in the Tech Articles section and it says that there is a recall for some 1991-92 Firebirds and Camaros concerning pin holes in the weld around the fuel filler neck. That may be why you're smelling gas. Just a thought.

 

I usually fill the tank, but the gas smell comes from the rear of the car irregardless of the fuel level. I am not sure how the cannister is supposed to work and wonder if there is a restriction in this system causing the tank to overpressurize and vent through the pressure relief valve. Is there a way to check the system without going to a shop?

 

Many 3rd gen owners report that the gas cap doesn't always seal properly. This has certainly been my experience as well. I bought a new gas cap and the lousy think still leaks if I am not careful about threading the cap on just right.

Since the piece inside the gas cap door has a small hole drilled in it, you might not always actually see this leak - it drains behind the quarter panel.

 

Thanks guy's, The gas cap seems to seal completely and doesn't depressurize until you open it. I went and bought a new tank pressure relief valve, and pressure relief valve inline from the cannister. Anybody had problems with the valve inline from the canister? I spent $60 on the two valves and don't want to install them unless they are needed.

 

I did have the tank repaired under the recall about five years ago. I can't seem to find a tech article on the charcoal cannister; can anyone point me in the right direction? Should I be able to blow through the tank side of the cannister and have it come out the purge side, or visa versa?

 

I have the fuel smell too and am trying to get rid of it as well, but I think mine is comming from the engine bay around the carcoal canister.
The GM manual ( for a 91 camaro) has this to say about the canister:
"Attempt to blow through through the lower tube of the purge valve. Little or no air should pass into the canister. (A small amount of air will pass if the canister has a constant purge hole)
With a hand vacuum pump, apply 51 kPa (15" Hg) through the conrol valve tube (upper tube). Vacuum should hold for 20 seconds. If the diaphram holds vacuum, again try to blow through the hos connected to the lower tube while vacuum is still being applied. An increased flow of air should be observed, if not the fuel vapor canister must be replaced"

I recently repalced my canister and when I blow through it, before putting vacuum on it, all the air comes out the air inlet. When I put vacuum on it it does the same. So I'm a little confused.

David