Hi All, I'm trying to figure out an issue and learn a little more about the fuel filler/cap and such on my '85 euro. I understand the Euros are a little different with an additional vent tube on the neck... My issue: after driving and the car is hot, when I shut off, I smell a whiff of gas and can hear the slightest hissing around the gas cap (but maybe not the cap?). I'll post some photos of the cap and seal, but they look pretty good actually. When the car was in for service recently the gas lines were all replaced and after running my finger around all the connections they seem dry and don't smell like gas. Since the filler neck is pretty hard to see, and the Euro is a little different than the US version, I'm wondering if it might be that vent that just seems to go down to the bottom of the engine bay. How does the gas tank retain pressure with that tube just venting to the atmosphere? Is there a one-way valve on it? When I remove the gas cap there is a good "woosh" so it seems to be under pressure. Here are a couple photos of the cap and the seal. I can't seem to find a replacement seal anywhere for sale... Any suggestions on what could be causing the hissing and the smell? Thanks, Franny Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
If it was federalized it is very possible that the evap system they installed is malfunctioning. I'd pay it close attention. I have seen malfunctioning/poorly designed gray market evap systems cause the destruction of the fuel tanks.
What would I see/look for? I'm assuming a carbon canister? Would it be tied to that aux vent port that has the tube on it? Thanks, f
Hi ALl, Ok, so I drove the car down to the paintless dent removal place today about a 35min drive each way and when I got back I could hear that hissing again... I grabbed a soap spray bottle and after a bit of spraying it definitely wasn't the cap...as the soap dripped down I could hear the noise change... It was coming from just below the big rubber grommet. At first I thought the filler might be cracked... So I pulled the wheel well (no small event) to get a good look. It was pretty obvious... There were two rivets the folks that federalized the car used to secure the unleaded adapter in the filler. What a crappy piece of work that was... That thing makes it a pain to fuel the car so I drilled the rivets out. All that was left was to plug the holes with a couple new rivets and a bit of JB-Weld to seal it all up nicely. I am saving all the bits I have removed so far from the botched federalization process including the DC-Johnson box and the bypass fuel line it controlled. The emissions here is tail pipe and a visual so all they are looking for is the O2 which is still screwed in. No need to remove that... I'll reassemble the whole thing tomorrow once the JB-Weld has cured. I was really worried the neck was cracked or something. Glad to see it was just leaking rivets Thanks Rifledriver for putting me on the trail of a botched federalization process. You were spot on! Franny Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Good find!! You will get much better over time at pulling the wheel liners.....sub ten minutes,. for sure!!!
Quick question: is it normal for the fuel tanks on a Euro to be under pressure, so that when you unscrew the cap after a drive you get a whoosh of pressure relief?
An unmodified euro = no (there is a vent line on the filler neck that is always open to the atmosphere). A euro modified for legal use in the US = yes (as Brian previously indicated, when "federalized" for the US, this vent line is closed off at pressure below maybe 0.5 psi as part of incorporating a fuel evaporation control system -- so some residual pressure can exist inside the fuel tank).
So if I understand correctly, there is no evap system on a euro version of the 328? So there is no rollover valve, no carbon trap, no separator and no hose for all this? Is the ports where the hoses go in the fuel tanks and the plenum just blocked off? or are they non existent at all? So what are the benefits of having this system installed in the North American models? Have people removed these systems out of their cars? Regards
Euro 308 didn't have any fuel evaporative control systems installed from the factory. During the federalization process closed fuel emission systems were often installed. Charcoal canisters etc. Often times they were real hack jobs only meant to pass regulation requirements with no long term concerns. I have seen some really horrific work. I recommend returning the system to stock and you should not have any further issues. As an aside- a Euro 308 (or most any older car) will release more hydrocarbon pollution sitting in your garage than a new car will while running!
"As an aside- a Euro 308 (or most any older car) will release more hydrocarbon pollution sitting in your garage than a new car will while running!" Yeah...it's almost impossible to commit suicide by sitting in a modern car with it running in a closed garage. Good to know that those of us on this website still have that option available!
Lololol, Hahahaha This is definitely not a conversation that is being had over in the Toyota Prius fan forums Regards
Ain't that the truth? I think I can get it on jacks, wheel off and liner out in 10. Hit with my makita drill, thump it up with the palm of my hand and it twists right out.
Yep. Modern auto engines/pollution systems reduce CO by more than 30x compared to pre-cat engines. A few years back, when a family in NY died from a faulty furnace/disconnected CO detector, the doc involved, when asked about cars/CO, said that you basically couldn't do yourself in that way in a modern car - you'd get sick from the fumes to the point you couldn't stand staying there long before the CO concentration would render you unconscious. Aint modern technology great?
Thanks Steve. Does anyone have a photo of how the tube is routed? Does it go all the way down to the area of the fuel pump? I'm guessing then I'll still smell a slight whiff of gas? Thanks, Franny
Hi All, Working on the car this week... Anyone with a Euro Euro (that hasn't been US federalized) that knows or has a photo of the vent routing? Where does it end up? Is it simple braided fuel line or clear plastic tubing? Thanks, Franny
Yes, the "euro" vent line needs to go down at least past the bottom of the fuel tank so that liquid fuel won't come out if the car is upside-down -- and better to go a bit further -- say just past the bottom of the chassis rail (like the coolant overflow line).
Thanks Steve, That is great info. I pulled the wheel and well liner and removed the plug that was on that vent tube. I got a good woosh from it so, at least I know my cap is sealing I installed a tube that runs down as you instructed. I did put a loop in the tubing to see if that might help keep fumes down in the garage... My guess is that when the cars gets back from a run the tank will be cooling so air will be going into the tank, not out of it so it should be fine. Thanks again for all your help. Another little "Euro" mystery solved! Franny
