Gas pouring out of filler neck

[AvidEditor]

Hello,

I came home from a two week trip and noticed a strong smell of gas around my 94 that had been sitting while I was away. I didn't see any leaks or puddles but when I opened the gas cap, gas rushed out momentarily like someone turned on a hose. I've searched and the most common issue mentioned is pressure buildup from a bad charcoal canister so I'll start with that and the lines around it.

Vehicle info: 1994 1FZ-FE w/ LRA 24gal aux tank. Both main and aux tanks are 3/4 full. Truck was parked at a small angle so I'm sure that contributed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
-Richard

 

[Brindleboxer]

Keep us informed as to what you find. Excessive pressure is not fun and if left unchecked it could split your stock tank.

 

[ZackR]

Hello,

I came home from a two week trip and noticed a strong smell of gas around my 94 that had been sitting while I was away. I didn't see any leaks or puddles but when I opened the gas cap, gas rushed out momentarily like someone turned on a hose. I've searched and the most common issue mentioned is pressure buildup from a bad charcoal canister so I'll start with that and the lines around it.

Vehicle info: 1994 1FZ-FE w/ LRA 24gal aux tank. Both main and aux tanks are 3/4 full. Truck was parked at a small angle so I'm sure that contributed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
-Richard

Disconnect the charcoal canister for now (it will smell but at least the pressure has somewhere to go) and install a replacement as soon as you can.

This is one situation where it's ok to go with a cheapo Autozone part, the VC120 charcoal canister. I installed one on my 94' years ago and its been working fine since.

https://www.autozone.com/engine-management/vapor-canister/p/duralast-vapor-canister-vc120/239708_0_0

 

[Rifleman]

I had a very strange experience the other day, i had a sealed 5 gallon metal gas can sitting in my shop that i went to pour into my Land Cruiser,

When i opened the lid on the gas can, i did so very slowly to vent off all the pressure inside the can, but as soon as i fully removed the cap and exposed the liquid inside the can, It started foaming and boiling up out of the cans filler neck like a volcano,

Once it had all boiled over i just left the cap off, but you could still see that the gas inside the can was still boiling right below the filler neck,

Now this can was stored in the shade, not in the sun, So I'm wondering if the 10% ethanol that's added to gas now a days, caused the gas in my can to boil over, (different vapor pressures maybe) but could that ethanol also be the cause of all the pressure buildup in our trucks gas tanks too?

 

[Broski]

Ethanol is definitely part of the problem with our trucks !!
Especially at higher altitudes I always seek out none ethanol gas whenever possible and only use it as a last resort and put in as little as possible to get by.

I have no experience with it a gas can.

 

[Rifleman]

Especially at higher altitudes

Funny you should bring that up, i filled the gas can up at a station at an elevation of 5400 feet, and i live at an elevation of 4900 feet,

 

[CharlieS]

Check the extra filter that the LRA vent includes. My 200 series with 12.5 gallon LRA tank puked fuel at elevation in Colorado due to a clogged vent filter. I removed and cleaned the filter and all was good with the world.

 

[AvidEditor]

Thank you everyone for the help and info. I replaced my charcoal canister, its hoses, as well as my gas cap. Problem seems to be solved. No more excessive tank pressure.

 

[Stylo07]

What charcoal canister did you use? I replaced mine with the AC Delco unit that fits well. I also replaced the hoses with OEM, as well as the fuel cap with OEM. Mine still 1) smells like gas after driving in the heat for a while, 2) stumbles at idle after driving in the heat for a while, and 3) has excessive fuel pressure in the tank… to the point that gas will come out on rare occasion.

Thoughts? Should I try the AutoZone charcoal canister?

 

[AvidEditor]

What charcoal canister did you use? I replaced mine with the AC Delco unit that fits well. I also replaced the hoses with OEM, as well as the fuel cap with OEM. Mine still 1) smells like gas after driving in the heat for a while, 2) stumbles at idle after driving in the heat for a while, and 3) has excessive fuel pressure in the tank… to the point that gas will come out on rare occasion.

Thoughts? Should I try the AutoZone charcoal canister?

I did the same as you, AC Delco, new hoses, and fuel cap and that solved my issues. So far so good for me.

 

[Stylo07]

Interesting. Glad it worked for you.

I’ve read that ethanol-free gas might help, but I’ve run ethanol gas for 13 years with no problems. Until now.

Any ideas are very much appreciated.