I smell Gasoline

[mbachani]

I have a 2003 Ford E350 V10 Quigley 4WD w/ Transferflow 46 gal. tank. A while back I accidently overfilled the tank on a trip and shortly thereafter we had gasoline fumes inside the van if we had the windows down. Windows up, A/C on, no smell. I also noticed a ton of vapor coming from the filler cap/door. Enough that if someone walked by with a cigarette I believe it would have ignited.
It took an entire day for the smell/vapor to subside.
I assumed it was from the overfill but now it seems to happen all the time after filling up.
Any Ideas??

Bob in Tucson

[witoke]

It is easy to see the entire pathway for the fuel, from the external filler to the tank on a stock van. I don't know if this is the case for a TransferFlow or not. On a van with a stock tank all you have to do is crawl under the van and you can see the upper and lower hose ends and inspect the clamps that hold them on as well as the hose itself.

I had a similar issue, though not after an overfill. Mine turned out to be cracks in the rubber fill hose between the van body and the gas tank. A $10.00 piece of hose and some new clamps fixed it. Ford does offer the stock hose but the bends are not significant and a straight piece of hose works fine.

I hope the TF tank is not too complex but since you seem to have to fill it to get the smell it seems logical to look at the connections and the hose first. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[daveb]

If I let diesel throw back at the pump and the inside of the fuel door is coated with diesel I have to go to a car wash to clean it out or I have the same problems as you. But I always thought Gasoline will evaporate leaving no smell.
Good luck and be careful...don't use a Bic for a light!

[time2mtbike]

I'm not an engine mechanic but I've been told if you top off your tank all the time that it can back up into the charcoal canister and cause that type of symptom.

[mbachani]

Thanks for your help folks. I'll let you know what I find out.

Bob in Tucson

[geoffff]

Originally Posted by mbachani

I have a 2003 Ford E350 V10 Quigley 4WD w/ Transferflow 46 gal. tank. A while back I accidently overfilled the tank on a trip and shortly thereafter we had gasoline fumes inside the van if we had the windows down.

I experience the same thing with my 2004 Ford E350 gas V10 with Transferflow tank when I over fill it. Smells a little gassy for a while inside the van.

Originally Posted by time2mtbike

I'm not an engine mechanic but I've been told if you top off your tank all the time that it can back up into the charcoal canister and cause that type of symptom.

Or when I drive up an extremely steep trail with a full tank of gas. Charcoal canister is behind the tank, and can find itself being lower than the tank on a steep uphill.

-- Geoff

[mbachani]

Thanks Geoff,
I'm leaning in the direction of it being the charcoal canister also. The smell really doesn't bother me but my wife can't stand it. She has threatened to not join me on any more adventures if I don't get it fixed. Hmmm........

Bob in Tucson

[Ford_6L_E350]

Just a thought, it could be the vent tube is disconnected.

Mike

[mbachani]

Thanks Mike.
Keep those ideas coming folks!!!

Bob in Tucson

[mbachani]

I think I finally got it. It was as simple as not tightening down the locking gas cap. I have a habit of just rotating it a couple of times. Now that I turn it about six rotatiions , no smell and hopefully problem solved.
Thanks for all your suggestions.

Bob in Tucson