Hey Everyone,
I've got an '89 VW Cabriolet. Over the past few months, when it's been warm and I've been driving for a while there's been a strong scent of gas back by the tank. Of course it's never reproducible at the mechanic.
Also of late, when I take the gas cap off there has been a strong whoosh as vapours exhaust from the tank, almost as if the tank is over-pressured. (This never happens in my Nissan pickup).
Today, I filled the tank after driving for about an hour in rush hour stop-and-go traffic. The tank was still two-thirds full and the WHOOSH and resultant venting was so strong when I removed the gas cap that fuel literally sprayed out of filler neck/opening and down the side of the car (and all over my pants!). Probably a good half-liter or so of fuel.
Seems to me like there's a strong vapour-pressure building up in the tank. Might also explain the scent of fuel when it's warm.
Any thoughts as to what could be causing this and what I should be doing to correct it?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers, Geoff Glave Vancouver, Canada