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1998 Toyota Camry Repair Question


Topics covered: Engine, Gas, Check engine light.
Mileage: 119,850 miles.

Asked on November 23, 2011

Strong fuel smell from underside of vehicle below charcoal cannister. what is most common problem? No check engine light.

I'm smelling a strong gasoline odor coming from underneath the car, below the charcoal cannister. Nothing is noticably wet with gas or stained. There is no check engine light on. What are the possible causes?
Avatar Asked by ferrari

Answer

Replied on November 23, 2011

Check for cracked, disconnected, or broken vacuum hoses to the canister. Also, check for cracks in the canister itself.

Tiny Answered by Jacobandnickolas (expert)
57,318 answers provided
Replied on November 23, 2011

All the hoses are Ok. Because of the location,the cannister is hard to check for cracks. If there was anything else wrong wouldn't it come up as a check engine light?

Tiny Response from ferrari
8 questions asked
Replied on November 23, 2011

One would hope so, but that isn't always the case. If that is where the smell is coming from, you should check it. NOTE: If you overfill the fuel tank, raw fuel can get to the canister too. It should set an EVAP code, but...

Tiny Answered by Jacobandnickolas (expert)
57,318 answers provided

Replied on November 23, 2011

C/Canister could be saturated with fuel

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked
Replied on November 23, 2011

Thanks for replies.I don't ever top off the tank with fuel.I've read though that the cannister must be positioned lower than the gas tank for any fuel to ever enter it. My cannister is positioned higher than the tank in the engine compartment.Where do I start? Change out all the hoses first before getting into the big money?

Tiny Response from ferrari
8 questions asked
Replied on November 26, 2011

Do the scan as not all codes will set a check light, remove the canister and check that it is not full of fuel, check that the purge valve is working correctly.

Tiny Answered by mhpautos (expert)
26,898 answers provided