fuel smell rear of car, trouble finding out EVAP issue

[npfd]

Hi all,

 

Today my dad and me tried to look for the cause of the fuel smell that occurs when the car is on, and when it has been shut off for a couple of hours. The smell usually occurs in the rear of the car, around where the canister is. Even a passenger was able to smell it one time when walking up to the car when it has been driven around quite a bit.

 

We examined the EVAP system today, first by checking out the Charcoal Canister. I found that the top part of it almost came off, I wonder if this is normal? We checked the hoses from the front to back and it seemed fine. We tried blowing air with the pump into the canister and it didn't hold, I think this is to due to having the Purge Solenoid. After this we examined the Purge control solenoid, below the coil packs near the firewall. We found most of the pipes were on it, like the to the manifold and the one to the EVAP switch, which then goes to the line to the canister. But on the Evap switch or the solenoid itself we found one smaller hard plastic rubber piece, which should be hooked up to a hose, without a pipe, like left open. We were wondering what is this small hose is for? Could this be the cause of the underlying problem?

 

Does anyone have any ideas for testing the system out? Like the Solenoid? Canister?

Should we go ahead and change the canister or solenoid? I just don't like changing random parts which may not help the problem, and by now I am quite frustrated with not getting to the bottom of this

 

Even while we were working on it, it smelt quite strong of gas near the canister.... and the car was off for a good while, so any ideas are greatly appreciated!!

 

Thank you!

 

[Brian P]

What year/make/model/engine is this?

 

The later cars ('96+ OBD2) have a dual-style solenoid setup, but the earlier ones use a single one. One port on the solenoid should have a reinforced rubber hose coming from the metal canister purge line. The other should be hooked up to a hard black plastic vacuum line which connects to the engine.

[npfd]

Sorry about not putting that information up.

 

It is a 1997 Cutlass Supreme with the 3100 with ~173k km's.

 

We found those two ports on the solenoid, and some extra one, which I believe is on the Evap switch, which has no hose from it (very small one). How does this dual style solenoid work?

 

Thank you.

[Brian P]

I can't remember the details offhand but since I had to do the conversion from a 1995 system to a 1997 system, I went to that style setup. IIRC the purge gases go into the roundish solenoid, then its output goes to the INPUT of the square solenod thru a hose, and finally the output of the square solenoid goes to the vacuum line, and to the motor. I will double check this in my book (or I'll look in my car) when I get the chance.

[1990lumina]

No engine light??

 

Normally if there is an issue with either solenoid the SES light will come on.

[npfd]

Thank you for going to check up on that.

 

We have a regular manual, not the official GM one, and it does give a bit of information but not enough to determine all the pipes including the solenoid, and that EVAP switch.

 

There is no engine light, which is confusing me too, as I have read up and you indicated that there should be one, but nothing.

 

I don't know what else this could be... the fuel lines are in great shape.... the rubber hoses for the evap system are good too, except that small one up front which may be missing....

 

Thanks.