Hi altitude, hi temp Gas Tank Pressure / Gas Smell

[98Base4R]

We took a trip to CO, with 100 degree temps on the way and 10,000 feet of elevation. In traffic, there was a gas smell inside. I couldn't smell anything under the hood. I released the cap, and got a long "whooooooooosssshhhh" of gas fumes under pressure. Fumes came out for a minute and a half at a good clip.

I get the same whoosh when removing the gas cap from other cars, but not like this. It only whooshed that long once, and I relieved the pressure a few more times, just to make sure.

I never fill past the first click. It smelled both when filling up and going up in elevation, and filling up then going down in elevation.

Is this normal operation, and I just need to relieve the pressure occasionally on this kind of trip? Or is there a sticky valve on the way to the vapor recovery canister that is not answering the bell?

TIA for your help.

 

[WrexHAmm]

I can't answer all of your questions but it sounds to me like the gas smell you were getting was because you were sitting in traffic and possibly nothing to do with your vehicle. Did you have the vents set to recirculate air or were you bringing in outside air?

The "whoooooooooosh" was due to taking a vehicle up to 10,000 ft from whatever the lower elevation you were at before. You are releasing the pressure you have built up within the gas line. Next time you take a trip bring a brand new bag of chips. You will notice the bag expand and occasionally burst open. I guess in theory the same could happen to your gas tank or gas line but don't count on it. I've never heard a case of it happening. Whenever you travel to Denver it's a good idea to not fill your liquids more than 2/3 full, otherwise you will have a nice mess when you open them.

I don't know the science behind this but fumes and such tend linger more in the thin air. If anybody cares to explain it then please feel free to chime in.

All in all.... nothing is wrong with your ride besides what people in Colorado experience.

We took a trip to CO, with 100 degree temps on the way and 10,000 feet of elevation. In traffic, there was a gas smell inside. I couldn't smell anything under the hood. I released the cap, and got a long "whooooooooosssshhhh" of gas fumes under pressure. Fumes came out for a minute and a half at a good clip.

I get the same whoosh when removing the gas cap from other cars, but not like this. It only whooshed that long once, and I relieved the pressure a few more times, just to make sure.

I never fill past the first click. It smelled both when filling up and going up in elevation, and filling up then going down in elevation.

Is this normal operation, and I just need to relieve the pressure occasionally on this kind of trip? Or is there a sticky valve on the way to the vapor recovery canister that is not answering the bell?

TIA for your help.