2001 4runner smells like gas in rear driver side wheel well

[dbarelma]

Hello. This is my first time posting and I need some help with my 2001 4runner 4x4. I purchased the car 2 years ago with 56K miles and have noticed a fuel smell coming out of the driver side wheel well. Here are some details:
-usually smell only after it is driven.
-there are no obvious fuel leaks.
-replaced the gas cap.
-engine runs really well.
-no check engine lights, no error codes.
-passes smog with flying colors.
-I live in california, the undercarriage is immaculate so I don't think the filler neck is corroded--although when pumping gas, it is finicky to keep the autofill going on the pump.
-only issue with the car is that it vibrates in "D" or "R" when stopped at a light with the A/C off. For a 5 speed guy, this is very annoying.
What should I look to replace?
-fuel pump?
-fuel filter?
-charcoal cannister?
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[snivilous]

My guess would be the filler neck to the fuel cap is loose for some reason, maybe the plumbers clamp came loose, so fumes can escape. I would just crawl under there and pull on the filler neck and bit and see if anything is loose.

 

[01thunder]

mine is the same way. no leaks, nothing loose, broken, etc. the little flap inside the neck is missing, maybe that's it? i had an 02 and it never smelled.

 

[dbarelma]

Hi Snivelous. Thanks for the response. So your two suggestions are:
-check fit between gas cap and filler neck.
-check filler neck for movement and hose integrity?
-what is the "bit"?
There are a lot of fuel lines under the car, which is one reason I'm looking at replacing the cannister and/or fuel pump despite everything appearing to be in pretty good shape.

 

[snivilous]

Hi Snivelous. Thanks for the response. So your two suggestions are:
-check fit between gas cap and filler neck.
-check filler neck for movement and hose integrity?
-what is the "bit"?
There are a lot of fuel lines under the car, which is one reason I'm looking at replacing the cannister and/or fuel pump despite everything appearing to be in pretty good shape.

Sorry, I meant pull on everything a bit to make sure everything is properly connected. 01thunder mentioned the check valving could be messed up, though I don't think that would be the issue since there should still be a seal created from the filler and gas cap (though it might be the case, I don't know).

I had a gas smell for awhile and it was from a cracked housing on the tank, though I had gas dripping out whenever I would fill up, likewise it seems weird any of your fuel delivery lines wouldn't be connected well since you would probably have gasoline leaking out. That's why it seems like it'd be the filler neck, specifically the top, since gasoline wouldn't leak out from there when driving or leak out when you are filling the vehicle up with gas. Though I'm just guessing, for all I know it's from somewhere else.

On that note, there are also vent lines that go back towards the computer over the spare tire, maybe one of those lines came loose. That would be another case of fuel not leaking out but getting fumes (and there is one hose line that specifically goes towards the cab/wheel well). Like I said, ultimately just crawl under there with a flash light and trace all the hoses and see if anything isn't how it should be.

 

[kernel.panik]

I think if you had a leak in the filler neck, or check valve (I have that leak) you would be throwing a code. I would check the vent lines if you aren't getting a check engine light.

A charcoal canister is about $500 new, so I would make sure it's not something else before swapping it.

 

[Spaceman33]

New OEM gas cap.

Had same problem.

Fixed.

 

[hec983]

My brother had the same symptoms as you describe. It turns out it was the charcoal canister!!! It's expensive!!!!!

 

[HvacTim]

Solution to small evap leak, P0442, fuel smell at the rear driver side of the vehicle:
1) charcoal canister (can be confirmed with a smoke test). Part cost = $300 to $400.
2) overfill or also called check valve on top of the fuel tank is leaking (small leak cannot be detected by the smoke machine, typically about 0.040 or less size leak). Part cost under $100.
3) filler neck can be rusted & leak if you're in heavily snow regions. Part cost, I think $200.

If check engine light (CEL or MIL) is ON, your VSC & Traction will also be ON or those functions are disabled. Vehicle drives fine until you need an annual inspection. You'll also experience slipping and sliding in wet or snow surface until you clear the CEL.

 

[thebrandon]

I had a similar thing after filling up sometimes. Swapped the charcoal canister and it seems to have gone away. I was getting a CEL code for it though.

 

[Aelfwine]

I had the same issue. The breather on top of the tank rusted and broke off so I had to replace the whole tank.

The best way to check for leaks is to hook up a smoke machine and see where the smoke is coming from. It's nearly impossible to spot something visually in there.

 

[rbendes]

Is this potentially dangerous or damaging? Or it just annoying?

 

[4RunnerChaos]

Not sure if your runner is rusty or not, but mine had a small leak along the seam of the tank. I'm actually trying to get it in the shop to replace my tank as we speak
Its cheaper than everything else that's been listed $80 for a tank in good shape.

 

[Chrez]

I have my money on "filler-neck" or where it joins the tank.
You don't want to mess around with gas fumes, have a shop check it out...

 

[hallcs]

2001 SR5 gas smell in rear with no codes / burping

2001 SR5 with gas smell coming from rear (no codes) also slight burping or gurgling sounds after shutting off, replaced cap (oem) no luck, next is canister, then vent valve. Crawling under truck the smell seems to be coming from the canister and no where near the tank so that is my best guess, no visual leaks. I hear a smoke test is not revealing in cases of the canister. I will let you guys know what happens. Trying to go OEM on canister but my have to bite the bullet and buy Dorman.

 

[Mutant]

Hello. This is my first time posting and I need some help with my 2001 4runner 4x4. I purchased the car 2 years ago with 56K miles and have noticed a fuel smell coming out of the driver side wheel well. Here are some details:
-usually smell only after it is driven.
-there are no obvious fuel leaks.
-replaced the gas cap.
-engine runs really well.
-no check engine lights, no error codes.
-passes smog with flying colors.
-I live in california, the undercarriage is immaculate so I don't think the filler neck is corroded--although when pumping gas, it is finicky to keep the autofill going on the pump.
-only issue with the car is that it vibrates in "D" or "R" when stopped at a light with the A/C off. For a 5 speed guy, this is very annoying.
What should I look to replace?
-fuel pump?
-fuel filter?
-charcoal cannister?
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

My 01 has same gas smell. I suspect charcoal canister. But I have not needed to fix it because there is no problem other than the smell outside the truck.

When filling up gas, go to slightly less than full... about 90%. This will reduce the smell of fumes coming out.

It is worse on hot days because of gas expanding in tank. Fumes are not being recycled and have no where to go but out of the tank.

 

[G runner]

Hello. This is my first time posting and I need some help with my 2001 4runner 4x4. I purchased the car 2 years ago with 56K miles and have noticed a fuel smell coming out of the driver side wheel well. Here are some details:
-usually smell only after it is driven.
-there are no obvious fuel leaks.
-replaced the gas cap.
-engine runs really well.
-no check engine lights, no error codes.
-passes smog with flying colors.
-I live in california, the undercarriage is immaculate so I don't think the filler neck is corroded--although when pumping gas, it is finicky to keep the autofill going on the pump.
-only issue with the car is that it vibrates in "D" or "R" when stopped at a light with the A/C off. For a 5 speed guy, this is very annoying.
What should I look to replace?
-fuel pump?
-fuel filter?
-charcoal cannister?
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

I have a 2001 4runner. I had a gas smell at the filler and wheel well with codes p0442 and p0440. I removed the gas tank and found one of the small steel tubes connected to the top of the tank rusted off. This steel tube had a rubber hose connected to it. Fuel vapors were escaping from the hole and we're causing the codes to come up. I replaced the fuel tank and the codes went away.

 

[Looking4]

Hallcs

I realize it was a long time ago but I’m new to the forum and was wondering if you ever figured out your gas smell problem. My friend has got an 01 4 runner with the exact problem and no codes. Dealer has replaced just about everything and now tells him it’s just the way this model is. I find that hard to believe.

 

[Serge627]

Holy thread resurrection. Do not go off of what the dealer is saying, the smell of gas fumes is not a "just how it is" type thing.

 

[Maxjet]

So, what fixed your 4Runner for the gas smell burping?