Questions and Answers

Gas Stinky Corolla Q. Hi. I have a 1987 Toyota Corolla, 87,000 miles, engine size 4ALC, carburetor. You've answered a previous question of mine and your site has been quite helpful.

Over the summer, there was a fuel odor/leakage problem which I thought I had fixed when I had the fuel neck replaced (there was a small pinhole there). Lately, the fuel odor has been coming back, and last week, after I had the car tuned up, I filled the tank and WOW was the fuel odor strong. For what it's worth, I didn't notice the odor UNTIL I filled the tank (it was about 1/4 full beforehand).

The fuel tank itself is pretty rusted and yucky looking, but I don't notice any leakage on the ground underneath the car. I'm wondering if you can help me figure out what is most likely to be wrong and how much I should expect to spend before I take it into the shop. Is it possible there's a problem with the fuel neck I had installed? Or something else? Also, is it dangerous to be driving around the car with the fuel odor as strong as it is?

I trust the guys who repair the car for me but I want to know as much as I can beforehand. Also, in case it matters, the car runs great, gets decent mileage, and has good pickup on the highway, etc.

Thanks a lot,
Caroline

A. I don't think you have a problem with the filler neck, it's very likely the problem is in the Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP). This system takes the fumes from fuel evaporation and stores it in a charcoal canister. The canister is then purged when you start the car and the stored fumes are burnt in the engine. There is a fiberglass air filter in the bottom of the charcoal canister that needs to be replaced on a regular basis. I'm willing to bet that it has never been changed on your car. Not surprising, few people even know it's there.

There are a series of vents and valves that are incorporated into the system that control the collecting and purging of the fumes and it can take a while to diagnose and locate the problem. The parts are not that expensive, the big expense is the diagnostic time it will take to locate the problem. I would definitely have it looked into, gas fumes floating around can be a potential safety hazard.

I'm sorry I can't be more specific then this for you. I guess I let you down.

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