I was on my way to the Zephyrhills Auto Fest today and just as I was about to pull into the main entrance I started to smell gas fumes and I could also hear the fuel pump starting to make a loud groaning noise. The car started to sputter and then it finally died. When I pulled over, I tried to start it up and the engine just sputtered and died again. When I turn on the ignition i could hear the pump prime but it didn't sound right. It didn't sound like the constant high whine then cutting off. It sounded high pitched whine and gradually went to a low groan then cut off. After several times trying to start the car, I decided to release the pressure by opening the gas cap. After the pressure released I closed the gas cap again and started again. The car started just fine and the fuel pump sounded normal again. After leaving the car show, I drove home with no problems at all. This is the second time this has happened with the same exact symptoms before the engine dies; gas fume smell along with low groan from the fuel pump and engine shuts off. My car is a 305 TPI. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

sounds like your fuel pump is on it's way out. Or the fuel pump's pickup is loose or something, and then when you de-pressurize the gas tank, it'll sink it back down.... or something like that, I dont know.

I remember reading in a post somewhere though that from the factory our cars didnt have that "hiss" when you open up the fuel cap, to release the pressure. It's a problem of some sort.

 

No, the hiss from the tank is normal and happened with my car from day 1.

You need to look into replacing the pressure relief valve. It is a plastic device hooked to the tank lines and located up under the car near the filler neck.

 

Is this valve white in color? The only thing I saw under there is a white breather looking thing clamped to the end of a rubber hose. Is that the pressure relief valve? Where can I buy that? Have you had this problem also? I just changed the fuel filter today. I blew into the old filter and it was very restrictive compared to the new one.

 

That's the one. It is a dealer only item, as far as I know.