Vapor Canister Diagnoses??

[Franky_Dabbs]

So I've had a gas smell lingering outside of my vehicle (96 4Runner-3.4) since I bought it plus the gas would spill from underneath at fill up. I finally figured out my return line was disconnected. I connected it but soon after I connected it heavy gas fumes started entering the vehicle while driving and that is a big no no especially since it's the family vehicle. So I've been driving it with the return line disconnected and it drives smooth but I would like to get the issue fixed..

I'm still new at all this especially since this is my first 4Runner, but would this be an issue with the vapor canister?? And if so, can someone guide me to a thread or video showing how to check if the canister is the real issue?? I called Toyota but they want to charge $100 just to check it.. No thxx.

Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated!!

 

[ajonesnv]

Your canister should be under the hood on the left side behind the relay box. They do regularly crack at the seam in which they are sealed. Easy enough to reseal with a sealant.

 

[Franky_Dabbs]

Your canister should be under the hood on the left side behind the relay box. They do regularly crack at the seam in which they are sealed. Easy enough to reseal with a sealant.

If the Vapor Canister is working as it should then this issue would not exist?? Or could it be a number of other things??

 

[ajonesnv]

If the Vapor Canister is working as it should then this issue would not exist?? Or could it be a number of other things??

It really can be a number of thing, but I had a similar fuel smell (specifically during warmer temps) a couple years later I got a code P0446, which is an emissions fault. Turns out my canister was cracked...once I sealed it back I haven't had the smell or the code.

Mind you it may not throw a CEL, similar to mine for some time, because its still operating in the tolerances even though it could be pushing those tolerances.

I bring up the canister because it is a normal reason for a fuel smell.