LRA aux tank and slight gas smell (1 Viewer)

[clearmysix]

Hello All,

For those of you that have installed a LRA 40gal or other aux tank have you noticed a slight gasoline smell when parked? I notice it most when the car is left overnight in a closed garage.

I have had it checked and the lines are good. No obvious leaks.

I am wondering if I am just more sensitive since I know I have had the fuel system modified.

 

[TeCKis300]

No smell.

Make sure they have the charcoal canister breather mounted up high. Fuel vapors are heavier than air so they can escape if the filter is mounted lower, or if there's a crack in the evap system.

 

[clearmysix]

No smell.

Make sure they have the charcoal canister breather mounted up high. Fuel vapors are heavier than air so they can escape if the filter is mounted lower, or if there's a crack in the evap system.

View attachment 2770062

Thank you. Is this part of the install instructions for the LRA tank or is it something that has been discussed as a solution here? I’m wondering if my shop knew to do this or not. I’ll try an snap a pick of this location.

 

[TeCKis300]

I just looked at the instructions and it doesn't say specifically to locate it high, but there are similar pictures to mine that show where to locate it.

 

[Markuson]

Thank you. Is this part of the install instructions for the LRA tank or is it something that has been discussed as a solution here? I’m wondering if my shop knew to do this or not. I’ll try an snap a pick of this location.

Is there a response we missed somehow that you’re responding to?

 

[clearmysix]

I just looked at the instructions and it doesn't say specifically to locate it high, but there are similar pictures to mine that show where to locate it.

Here is what mine looks like. First picture is from the wheel well. Second is from below looking up.

 

[TeCKis300]

Here is what mine looks like. First picture is from the wheel well. Second is from below looking up.

View attachment 2771384

View attachment 2771385

If I'm looking at the picture right, looks like they didn't plumb the mushroom filter very high, and it's probably not even as high as the floor boards. I suspect this is your problem.

The line marked in red is the where the issue is. Can't see the mushroom filter but it's past that junction towards the star end of the line. Hopefully there's enough hose and you'll want to locate it higher up near the fill neck.

While you're in there, looks like you still have the small diameter breather plumbing. If you've had any fuel pump fill sensitivity (clicks off easily), this might the chance to resolve it. More info here

Charcoal Canister / LRA Breather Fix

Is this issue one that’s from older LRA’s or is this something that a newly purchased unit would experience?

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Scylth]

I started smelling gas just before my evap canister starting throwing codes. Which makes you almost want to cry, as fixing that usually involves dropping the aux tank. After I replaced the canister, smell went away. I also had the hose routings cleaned up so less likely to kink later, and mounted the mushroom filter as high as I could.

Hopefully your not about to have an evap canister issue. I would have lived with it, but it was preventing me from engaging 4LO.

 

[clearmysix]

Thank you all for your comments. Although I don't have new images we did move the mushroom filter as high as it could go. This has improved but not eliminated the problem. No codes yet.

I'm just going to drive it from now on. Added an exhaust fan to the garage....

 

[Capital E]

This may or may not help your problem or it could be a symptom of my OCD but I try not to leave the aux tank totally full. I'd rather leave the stock tank full and trust the stock evap system more than the aux tank full. If I can burn off the first gallon in the aux tank before parking in the heat I feel better. Might be worth a shot. I haven't noticed any fuel smell at all.

 

[WCDAVE]

So I get intermittent gas smells at or just after fill ups. There is never any leaked fuel nor is the smell overpowering. Other times I can fill up and get no odor whatsoever. I think @Capital E makes a good point above that may be the main contributing factor. Here is a photo of the routing in my truck:

 

[Markuson]

I started smelling gas just before my evap canister starting throwing codes. Which makes you almost want to cry, as fixing that usually involves dropping the aux tank. After I replaced the canister, smell went away. I also had the hose routings cleaned up so less likely to kink later, and mounted the mushroom filter as high as I could.

Hopefully your not about to have an evap canister issue. I would have lived with it, but it was preventing me from engaging 4LO.

For if/when codes return… -Keep a code reader handy…clear codes and good to go.

 

[Scylth]

For of/when codes return… -Keep a code reader handy…clear codes and good to go.

Good call. Ultimately, I’m glad I got into it and got it fixed, because I also fixed a bad bend in the filter breather line. But, in a pinch and needing to not get stuck on the trail or on a long trip, being able to clear a code would be great.

 

[Markuson]

This may or may not help your problem or it could be a symptom of my OCD but I try not to leave the aux tank totally full. I'd rather leave the stock tank full and trust the stock evap system more than the aux tank full. If I can burn off the first gallon in the aux tank before parking in the heat I feel better. Might be worth a shot. I haven't noticed any fuel smell at all.

FWIW, I keep mine full most of therime and no issues. Only time I ever smell fuel is when fuel boils in extreme heat in Utah…but that was also true years ago before my LRA.

 

[Angelo1]

This may or may not help your problem or it could be a symptom of my OCD but I try not to leave the aux tank totally full. I'd rather leave the stock tank full and trust the stock evap system more than the aux tank full. If I can burn off the first gallon in the aux tank before parking in the heat I feel better. Might be worth a shot. I haven't noticed any fuel smell at all.

What’s the maintenance on these LRA tanks?

 

[Capital E]

What’s the maintenance on these LRA tanks?

All I've had to do is keep putting gas in it.

 

[WCDAVE]

The tank and pump are relatively low tech modifications. Other than the double fill neck the factory tank is relatively unaffected. I do not know what the service life is on the pumps, but I would imagine after 5-8 years of use they will ultimately go - it's a pump just like any other in your car - fuel, oil, water - all eventually fail and need replacement. If the LRA pump goes, your vehicle and main tank will still work, you would just have gas stranded in the aux tank.

 

[Angelo1]

The tank and pump are relatively low tech modifications. Other than the double fill neck the factory tank is relatively unaffected. I do not know what the service life is on the pumps, but I would imagine after 5-8 years of use they will ultimately go - it's a pump just like any other in your car - fuel, oil, water - all eventually fail and need replacement. If the LRA pump goes, your vehicle and main tank will still work, you would just have gas stranded in the aux tank.

Do you have to have to use the aux tank frequently so it keeps all the parts like the pump working well? Water pumps work best when they are active, otherwise they fail much sooner. Not sure if aux pump works similarly.

 

[clearmysix]

Just as an update to the thread -

I’ve had the vehicle looked at a few times, smoke tested, and they cannot find a leak.

There are two theories as to the cause of the smell which would be very involved to fix.

1. One of the new fuel lines is leaking vapor but not smoke or liquid fuel. Would need to replace all lines to fix it.

2. The charcoal canister may be cracked but not enough to cause a check engine light. To evaluate the tank would need to be dropped.

For now I’m just driving it and keeping my garage ventilated. Hope to find the source eventually…

 

[Angelo1]

Just as an update to the thread -

I’ve had the vehicle looked at a few times, smoke tested, and they cannot find a leak.

There are two theories as to the cause of the smell which would be very involved to fix.

1. One of the new fuel lines is leaking vapor but not smoke or liquid fuel. Would need to replace all lines to fix it.

2. The charcoal canister may be cracked but not enough to cause a check engine light. To evaluate the tank would need to be dropped.

For now I’m just driving it and keeping my garage ventilated. Hope to find the source eventually…

What about just not putting gas in the Aux tank until fixed so you don’t have to worry about fuel smell.