Random gas smell inside car started today on long trip, any ideas?

[v8only]

Took the 98 mark viii to vegas and back this weekend, 260 miles each way. It breezed through it with comfort that I've never experienced (used to take fox mustangs to vegas, lol)...

however on the way back it started to have a gas smell...starts off mild then gets stronger and stronger, then would go away for a period of time...20 minutes, and hour etc then come back again.

I popped the hood and smelled nothing, put my face near the gas tank, smelled nothing.

The Mark viii averaged almost 25 mpg's with three guys in it so I don't think it's actually leaking any gas....

Any ideas? Could I have lost a vapor line somewhere? Where should I start looking, thanks for help!

 

[LaserSVT]

I can seem to find my spoon anywhere. Ill use a fork instead. Your car is gonna explode.



You like to fill your car up all the way? Stop.

 

[keatonsdad]

Your car is gonna explode.

You like to fill your car up all the way? Stop.

Made my night!!!:gr_hail:

 

[v8only]

I can seem to find my spoon anywhere. Ill use a fork instead. Your car is gonna explode.



You like to fill your car up all the way? Stop.

My sincere apologies, this completely went over my head...I suspect a note of scarcasm, but maybe not?

Yes, of course I filled my tank all the way, I was going shy of 300 miles one way. I don't "top it off"...I stop of course when the pump clicks off the first time.

Is this a sign of overfilling? Could I have gotten a gas pump that overfilled my tank? Or is there some reason I shouldn't be filling my tank all the way up on this car?

 

[97MarkJA]

If you search gas smell you will probably find a little info.
Could be the gas cap, could be one of the tanks or purge valves on the evap system.

 

[slowmkviii]

I would guess you should start looking at the e-vap tray then inside the passenger fender

 

[thaywood]

I would guess you should start looking at the e-vap tray then inside the passenger fender

Isn't all the evap stuff in the tray under the trunk on a '98? Anyway, I hear a lot of folks have had trouble with the tray rusting out and lines dryrotting. I haven't experienced this on my '97 yet (knocks on wood and crosses fingers) but I hear it does happen. Check that. If you're not losing any gas and getting decent mileage and your gas cap is secured tightly, I would guess it would probably be a vapor line leaking somewhere. Just my two cents. Carry on...

 

[slowmkviii]

Yes the evap tray is under the trunk
And there is another part of that system in the fender
Can't recall the name though

 

[thaywood]

Yes the evap tray is under the trunk
And there is another part of that system in the fender
Can't recall the name though

Aaahh!