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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3115
Location: Bozeman MT
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 Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 10:48 am Post subject: Fuel leak from charcoal canister? |
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My van has been sitting for a couple months and I decided to take it out for spin yesterday. When I got back home I smelled gas and noticed a fairly large gas stain on the garage floor.
I didn't have much time to investigate but I saw no signs of leaks from my fuel lines. I did notice the plastic elbow on the bottom of the charcoal canister was wet and there was a stain on the top of my rear swing arm below the canister.
I didn't think liquid gasoline made it to the charcoal canister but maybe I don't understand how that works. Is there any chance my leak is from the canister rather than the fuel lines?
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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dabaron
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Joined: June 21, 2018
Posts: 2559
Location: Philly, mang
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| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 11:22 am Post subject: Re: Fuel leak from charcoal canister? |
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| SCM wrote: |
My van has been sitting for a couple months and I decided to take it out for spin yesterday. When I got back home I smelled gas and noticed a fairly large gas stain on the garage floor.
I didn't have much time to investigate but I saw no signs of leaks from my fuel lines. I did notice the plastic elbow on the bottom of the charcoal canister was wet and there was a stain on the top of my rear swing arm below the canister.
I didn't think liquid gasoline made it to the charcoal canister but maybe I don't understand how that works. Is there any chance my leak is from the canister rather than the fuel lines? |
just a guess but gas vapors condensed and built up enough to drip?
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MarkWard
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Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17118
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Fuel leak from charcoal canister? |
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Do you neck fill the fuel tank when filling up?
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3115
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2019 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel leak from charcoal canister? |
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| MarkWard wrote: |
| Do you neck fill the fuel tank when filling up? |
Nope. Once the pump clicks itself off I stop fueling.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3115
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel leak from charcoal canister? |
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I’m really puzzled. I gave a real good look at all the fuel line and evap system connections after cycling the pump/relay and while idling the van for about 10 minutes. No leaks whatsoever. I just hat intermittent problems but I guess all I can do is keep an eye on things.
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MarkWard
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Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17118
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel leak from charcoal canister? |
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The charcoal canister should collect hydrocarbons and purge going down the road. It may not be purging or has become saturated. The only way I recall is to weigh it against a new one. Don’t like to mess with fuel smells or leaks.
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bluebus86
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Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
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| Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: Fuel leak from charcoal canister? |
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some vans had a purge hose to the aircleaner, other did not come with that. on mine the vent on the cannister got clogged with a spider nest, but that prevented full filling of the gas tank, ie, it would not vent. i removed the nest and all was well, then I installed a screen over the vent to keep the spiders out.
conceivable that driving or parking on a steep slope could drain fuel into the canister I suppose.
good luck
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