what part did you recommend? there are now 40 pages to this thread....
Gas tank building excessive pressure & fuel smell. Dangerous for sure! Why does this happen? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter 2001LC
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Way back when, gas caps had vents. Now they do not and it is up to the EVAP system absorb vapors from tank to keep pressure down. But if EVAP system has a problem or it is overloaded by E10 at high altitude / temp, then tank pressure builds up.
You probably don't have the issue at home as Alberta has a lower percent of ethanol than US or other parts of Canada. I think Canada is changing requirements to make all Canadian gasoline be E10. With non-ethanol fuel I don't have any issue at any altitude/temperature up to 13,000ft.
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The evap valve
It's just what was listed by Toyota in the previous ownership history from before I bought it. There are two valves I see for the system, one under hood and one on the charcoal canister. The one under the hood on my vehicle looks newer.
Are you talking about the vapor cannister purge solenoid?
This may be something dumb to say, but has anyone tried hitting up Toyota corporate? I know they may not care as we have such old vehicles, but if their SUVs start catching on fire on the trail or on the side of the road they probably should care. I mean they certainly cared when their Tacoma frames were rusting through - they replaced my 2nd gen frame.
Maybe if enough people report this maybe we could get an engineer to look into this. It’s also my understanding that 200 series are having some of these issues, though I may be wrong on that.
Edit*
I just got off the phone with Toyota corporate, they suggested and I agree, those of us with this issue should call and file the issue so it’s documented. She encouraged me to inform people on forums to call and file their concern. I mean it’s a pretty big one considering what we are dealing with here. She said if this is documented enough, they could potentially issue a recall (or TSB).
The fact that running non-ethanol fuel helps the issue is great and all, but it’s not readily available, and is insanely expensive (for me locally). There really isn’t a solid solution that’s 100% fixed it it seems even after a lot of very respected intelligent mechanically inclined minds have looked into this. Other than running ethanol free fuel (maybe fuel line shielding maybe not, maybe radiator maybe not?), nothing has nailed down the issue. Maybe if enough people complain that we are concerned we are going to torch our truck to the ground they will look into it. I for one don’t want to throw money at it only to not have the problem fixed. Cumulatively, people have essentially replaced their entire evap system, cooling system, and still have the issue.
Toyota USA: (800) 331-4331
Maybe if enough people report this maybe we could get an engineer to look into this. It’s also my understanding that 200 series are having some of these issues, though I may be wrong on that.
Edit*
I just got off the phone with Toyota corporate, they suggested and I agree, those of us with this issue should call and file the issue so it’s documented. She encouraged me to inform people on forums to call and file their concern. I mean it’s a pretty big one considering what we are dealing with here. She said if this is documented enough, they could potentially issue a recall (or TSB).
The fact that running non-ethanol fuel helps the issue is great and all, but it’s not readily available, and is insanely expensive (for me locally). There really isn’t a solid solution that’s 100% fixed it it seems even after a lot of very respected intelligent mechanically inclined minds have looked into this. Other than running ethanol free fuel (maybe fuel line shielding maybe not, maybe radiator maybe not?), nothing has nailed down the issue. Maybe if enough people complain that we are concerned we are going to torch our truck to the ground they will look into it. I for one don’t want to throw money at it only to not have the problem fixed. Cumulatively, people have essentially replaced their entire evap system, cooling system, and still have the issue.
Toyota USA: (800) 331-4331
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I'll be calling tomorrow. I've had this happen to my 2007, 125k miles numerous times. The heat of Phoenix, Austin and now atop a 54degree Independence Pass. To get on my way I need to remove the gas cap and wait an hour or so for the vehicle to start. It's happened with and without skids, I don't have the various temps/trims and 95% of the time the fuel has been highest octane available with ethanol (it's what's available). New charcoal canister, fuel filter, etc...Absolute drag, that shouldn't exist...
Make it a sticky at top of the forum section with details in the title.
would be nice to have some control over keeping fuel temps low…
pressure obviously has a part to do with it…
but i believe so do the hot fuel lines running by the cats.
i modded my Cat heat shields and extended them as well so radiant heat is blocked from the fuel (Velcro reflective wrapped) lines, but that didnt solve anything.
I know its a band aid, but anyone ever setup an acutal fuel cooler, perhaps on the return line?
thinking about a cooler w/ fan on it… just not thrilled of the idea that its could had potential fuel line issues… leaks, etc.
another thought i have is to convert to twin E-fans and have to option to get them blowing at a high speed, during long, slow speed, 4-Low trail climbs. The thought here is it may be able to blow air across the cats (from the engine bay) and help push out the hot air so its not an oven around the cats… especially with full skids.
Again, i understand its like a band aid, but if it helps… I think it could be worth a try.
pressure obviously has a part to do with it…
but i believe so do the hot fuel lines running by the cats.
i modded my Cat heat shields and extended them as well so radiant heat is blocked from the fuel (Velcro reflective wrapped) lines, but that didnt solve anything.
I know its a band aid, but anyone ever setup an acutal fuel cooler, perhaps on the return line?
thinking about a cooler w/ fan on it… just not thrilled of the idea that its could had potential fuel line issues… leaks, etc.
another thought i have is to convert to twin E-fans and have to option to get them blowing at a high speed, during long, slow speed, 4-Low trail climbs. The thought here is it may be able to blow air across the cats (from the engine bay) and help push out the hot air so its not an oven around the cats… especially with full skids.
Again, i understand its like a band aid, but if it helps… I think it could be worth a try.
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Maybe anecdotal, I recently developed a fuel smell even after short drives. Did a lot of research and went to poke around under the hood of my 98. Vacume lines to vapor canister all seemed to be snug. Moving on to the fuel filter I look d at the hose connected to 90 degree green elbow clamp that routes to engine. Hose on the elbow clamp was very loose and swelled larger than elbow diameter. Snugged it tight with zip tie and so far fuel smell has stopped. Will replace that hose soon, but thought I’d share as possible culprit for those trouble shooting in the future.
There is no one specific solution. Not sure there is anything about a messed up fuel gauge in this thread but maybe you need new pump and sending unit?
Everyone seems to experience different issues that tend to somehow (imo) relate to venting - at least mine seems to be.
I pretty much solved the issue by switching to ethanol-free 87 octane. Which I think is what is called for for this engine. (mine's a 94)
That’s interesting. I thought this thread was also the one talking about the fuel gauge being messed up as well. My bad. But yes, it’s probably gonna end up being a sending unit. I’m gonna try my next tank with ethanol free.
What happens to me is the gas will literally be boiling. I can hear it boiling. It’s loud you can stand next to the car 10 feet and hear it and if I remove the gas cap it vent out the tank and it stops the gurgling sound but then when I put it back on until the car cool down, it starts again. Very disconcerting. of course I also have a messed up gas gauge for sometimes it goes down to empty when the tank is full I just can never trust it so I have to go buy a trip odometer.
Gas gauge may have been messed up if the fuel pump has been replaced, easy to bend it out of whack.
Boiling is from heat, search my posts in this thread for the heat shielding and other stuff I did.
Boiling is from heat, search my posts in this thread for the heat shielding and other stuff I did.
Mike6158
Random Pixel Generator
That's what happens...
me too, but not in winter, or summer with the ethanol free... a little bit at 9000+ feet
Mike6158
Random Pixel Generator
I've only had problems with it at higher altitudes in the summer as well. It's a pretty well documented problem
I can not duplicate mine. Some hot days at sea level, some low elevation mountain driving, some regular driving on the highway on a 70° day. The worst was an 85° - 90° day on I-85 in north GA headed south. Could hear it at the gas station. Had an eighth of a tank or so left and it vented like an angry monster. Usually I just have high pressure and a faint gas smell.
