Fuel smell inside cab

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Aug 16, 2002 | 08:14 AM

danpiscotty

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Fuel smell inside cab

I have a 92 F150 and have a strong fuel smell inside of my cab when sitting still. If I'm driving I don't get the smell since the fumes are carried away. I've located the smell to the front of the truck to a type of canister with 2 caps on top. The smell is very strong around this area but don't see any fuel remains. I'm not sure what this canister is or why there would be fuel in this area. I don't know where the fuel line return is but doubt it's located in the front of the truck near the radiator. Is there some type of filter that could be clogged?

Dan

Aug 16, 2002 | 09:27 AM

lghtningstruk

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Fuel smell inside cab

That is the carbon canister. It absorbs fuel vapors from the fuel tank, and stores them in this canister. A purge valve (connected in one of the hoses going to the canister) opens to allow the engine to re-burn the vapors so they don't escape into the atmosphere. Check the hoses going to the canister to see if they are torn or dry rotted. If they are OK you probably need to replace the canister. I just bought one for mine and it was about $100.00 :-staun

Aug 16, 2002 | 09:55 AM

danpiscotty

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Fuel smell inside cab

Ahh, I imagined it was something like that.

From where do these hoses come? From where does the vapor exhaust come? Does this canister eventually break down or is it most likely a hose? I'm trying to imagine where the fuel vapor comes from and can't come up with an idea since the fuel is injected and then ignited. Is it any remaining fuel that is not ignited. It's odd but maybe possible.

Could it be a timing issue?

Dan

Aug 16, 2002 | 10:23 AM

lghtningstruk

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Fuel smell inside cab

One of the hoses goes back to the fuel tank - This hose should only have fuel vapors from the fuel tank going thru it - but if you top off the tank too much liquid fuel could go thru this hose and saturate the carbon canister.

The other hose goes back up to the manifold or throttle body (not exactly sure which). This hose will have a purge valve mounted in it. This purge valve is fairly close to the canister. The valve opens so the vapors can be reburned by the engine. Fuel does not go thru this hose and valve - only the vapors. I'm pretty sure this valve is controlled by the computer (as most everything is).

Aug 16, 2002 | 10:33 AM

lghtningstruk

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Fuel smell inside cab

By the way - do a search for Evaporative Emission Control Systems on your favorite search engine. Some of those sights explain this system very well. I checked out several of these sights when I was thinking about by-passing my charcoal canister, but after reading on these sights I decided I better not do that.

Carl

Aug 16, 2002 | 10:38 AM

danpiscotty

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Fuel smell inside cab

Wow! Thanks for all your help. Great help! I appreciate it!
Take care.

Dan

Aug 16, 2002 | 12:44 PM

gasman6674

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Fuel smell inside cab

The purge solinoid is located @ the throttle body. It connects between the two "barrels". Your solinoid might be bad I would check it before replacing the cansister. You should be able to pick up a cansister for a few bucks at a junk yard if you have the time.
Regards
Gasman