Strong smell of gas - need a 4runner surgeon

[Paramedic]

Good morning fellow Toy lovers.

If I drive with the back window down, there will be a strong smell of gas and mild motor-ish smell. If the window is up the smell is barely noticeable. Any idea?
I bought the truck 2 months ago and the guy said it was like that for about 2 years now. I have a Thrush exhaust....

Recently a very small 12inch long grey pipe section (similar to the size of a straw) fell from under my car due to rust on both side. It was near the back axle. Could this have anything to do with gas vapor??

Thanks so much
Pat

 

[JayRolla]

Good morning fellow Toy lovers.

If I drive with the back window down, there will be a strong smell of gas and mild motor-ish smell. If the window is up the smell is barely noticeable. Any idea?
I bought the truck 2 months ago and the guy said it was like that for about 2 years now. I have a Thrush exhaust....

Recently a very small 12inch long grey pipe section (similar to the size of a straw) fell from under my car due to rust on both side. It was near the back axle. Could this have anything to do with gas vapor??

Thanks so much
Pat

Sounds like your gas vapor line fell off, it should route up near the gas cap, now that vapor is just releasing under the car.

 

[WallyWest]

Does it occasionally throw P0440, P0441, or P0446 codes?

Is this just on startup or do you smell it all the time?

 

[BoomSticks]

Exhaust leak or gas evap?

 

[Paramedic]

I smell it all the time, not just when I start it.

 

[DeathCougar]

Crawl under your truck and figure out whats rusting off. If your truck is rusty enough you have pieces falling off, its time for a thorough inspection before something comes apart and causes an accident.

 

[WallyWest]

Exhaust leak or gas evap?

Yeah, gotta be one or the other.

If it's throwing the codes I posted it's the evap system. Otherwise I'd check for exhaust leaks.

 

[Mellemel]

When the back window is open I have that gas smell, but only when the engine is cold or not at operating temp. It's only when it's running rich on warm up. If I open the window after about 5 mins there is no smell.
It's just the gases being sucked up.
I open the window about 20cm in the summer as it gives a nice draft.

Is this the case with you or does it do it when the engine has warmed up too ?

 

[mechanic80]

Strong gas smell when i pull into the garage and shut down the engine. Fuel system is pressurized. It even makes a weird put put sound from the gas cap. Goes away after about half an hour. Thoughts?

 

[brillo_76]

Strong gas smell when i pull into the garage and shut down the engine. Fuel system is pressurized. It even makes a weird put put sound from the gas cap. Goes away after about half an hour. Thoughts?

Gas cap seal failing. Evap emmision lines rusted off or damaged

Fuel lines leaking, gas tank rusted on top. Filling tube rusted or damaged.

Evap canister damaged or leaking.

Gas vapor fumes can travel around. So check that rig over really good. Should be pretty easy to find.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[BrianK14]

What Brillo said. My gas smell turned out to be a rusted and broken evap hardline

 

[brillo_76]

What Brillo said. My gas smell turned out to be a rusted and broken evap hardline

Extremely common when they rust some..:-(

 

[mechanic80]

Gas cap seal failing. Evap emmision lines rusted off or damaged

Fuel lines leaking, gas tank rusted on top. Filling tube rusted or damaged.

Evap canister damaged or leaking.

Gas vapor fumes can travel around. So check that rig over really good. Should be pretty easy to find.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

New TOYOTA gas cap, remarkably rust free. (still has production stickers on frame/chassis parts!) I'll check the evap for damage. Seems to be coming from the back. I'll start there Thanks

 

[brillo_76]

New TOYOTA gas cap, remarkably rust free. (still has production stickers on frame/chassis parts!) I'll check the evap for damage. Seems to be coming from the back. I'll start there Thanks

Ok then most likely not rusted off line. Possibly cracked rubber line in the back then. The lines can split and crack in dry environments.

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[MStudt]

Can also be the purge valve or gasket on the gas tank. Over the gasket around the purge valve will start to rot/crack, and this will allow for fumes to escape. That was the issue on mine at least.

Mike