Not Cool! I need Help!

[cubanboi89]

I have this problem with my MTX and has been ongoing for some time! My gas gauge gives me faulty readings but it only does it when there is beyond serious pressure build up in the gas tank! I was told that in order to release the pressure an get and accurate reading on my fuel is to open the gas tank and let out the pressure. I do that but the problem comes right back when I start driving! Lately the problem has gotten worse. I open the gas tank to release the pressure and the fuel smell is extremely strong and the gas tank makes noises, sounds like the gas tank is retracting when the pressure is released! I'm worried one day the thing will expand to much and blow! Please tell me what the problem is and how I can fix it!

 

[Johnlemon]

fuel vapor valve, bad gas cap?

 

[cubanboi89]

Where is the fuel vapor valve located?

 

[cubanboi89]

Cleaned the tube that's in the hose between the canister and the tank, and pressure still builds a lot but not as much! Any ideas? (maybe the cap or the canister)...

 

[rbruso]

Follow the thin rubber line from the throttle body down to the purge solenoid. Follow the line from that to the vapor canister. Somewhere along that line (down low, near the radiator) you'll find a tee. Pull the lines off of the tee and look through it. You should see a small brass reducer that's probably clogged with some waxy crap. Clean out the crap and make sure the tee flows air from all directions.

If that's the one you already cleaned it could be a stuck canister purge solenoid. Are you getting a code for the solenoid? You can take the solenoid off the car and try blowing through it with and without power applied. It should open with power.

 

[rubydist]

my experience is that the over-pressurization happens when the charcoal purge canister is clogged and the vapor pressure has no where to go.

some of the atx cars had an issue w/ the pcm where the purge canister solenoid driver would burn out, so the canister never purged. I solved that by making the canister always purge, and I never had any emissions test issues with that.

 

[cubanboi89]

Thank you all! Yes I did clean out the tube but it wasn't brass it was like a purple plastic tube but I blew it out but not with pressure. I do believe that it's the vapor canister because after I cleaned the tube I started to smell gas! In the morning I will check to see how it starts. If it idles correctly on start up then it was just the tube but if it doesn't idle correctly on start up I will replace the canister! Thanks guys! I will get back to you when I check things out in the morning.

 

[cubanboi89]

Quick question, is there a way to bypass the canister and still not have the gas smell, like substitute it with something else?

 

[rubydist]

leave the canister in place, bypass the purge solenoid so it always vents. in my experience, the gas smell will go away in a matter of weeks.

 

[cubanboi89]

Ok thanks I will try that!