Gas leak from the drivers side fender???

[ehuth1]

Went out filled the truck up (aux tank in the bed) then went for a short cruise. I pull into the driveway, then backed up to re-adjust to the garage entrance and noticed a (splat, splat, splat, bluuuuuuuuuuuuuush) puddle marking in the driveway...? Before I can get out it's evaporated... So I proceed to leave it outside to do it's thing and pop the hood to find out it's coming from a small black canister on the drivers side that has a fuel line ran to it... Looks like it has a line going back to the fuel pump, but everyone I ask don't have a clue as to what it is. It's stopped leaking for now, but if it continues the wifes going to kick her (the truck) outside!!!!!

Someone please educate me on this mishap? I'm a newb, but I've already used the search button.

Thanks in advance.

[Hubscrub]

that is the charcoal canister it traps or absorbs so to say the fuel vapors, but i have never seen one leak?

[ehuth1]

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

that is the charcoal canister it traps or absorbs so to say the fuel vapors, but i have never seen one leak?

This thing probably burped a 1/2 gallon??? Truck still runs fine and starts right up... Would no expansion in the gas tank from me filling it up cause the fuel to expand to here?

[El Jay]

Sounds like the evaporation canister. If memory serves, it has a charcoal filter in it for absorbing fuel vapors.

I'm kind of wondering if your auxiliary fuel tank has a return line that's not returning to the aux. tank and thereby going to & overflowing your main tank back to the canister.
This happened to me one time when the switching valve for the return line broke & wouldn't let the excess fuel return to the aux. tank.

I hope it's something that simple for you.

[ehuth1]

Originally Posted by El Jay

Sounds like the evaporation canister. If memory serves, it has a charcoal filter in it for absorbing fuel vapors.

I'm kind of wondering if your auxiliary fuel tank has a return line that's not returning to the aux. tank and thereby going to & overflowing your main tank back to the canister.
This happened to me one time when the switching valve for the return line broke & wouldn't let the excess fuel return to the aux. tank.

I hope it's something that simple for you.

See this is a one time event, and me like a TARD filled the aux. tank up to the brim with it 100+ degrees outside. So with no room for expansion would you think there was no room for the return fuel to come back in the tank?

[trusty72]

thats prob it. man filled up both tanks you must be rich.

[El Jay]

Originally Posted by ehuth1

See this is a one time event, and me like a TARD filled the aux. tank up to the brim with it 100+ degrees outside. So with no room for expansion would you think there was no room for the return fuel to come back in the tank?

When you're drawing off the main tank, you should be returning to the main tank.
When you're drawing off the aux. tank, you should be returning to the aux tank.
So, you shouldn't have any problem with expansion when filling the tanks in 100 degree weather if everything is working correctly.

My '76 Jimmy had 3 tanks (2 aftermarket, saddle tanks) and 2 ea. 3 way valves, when I switched the valve for the fuel to the fuel pump I also had to switch the return valve.

Now, my '72 GMC has 2 tanks (factory installed aux. tank), but only 1 ea. switching valve, but that valve is like a double valve that switches both the feed & return.

I hope that made at least a little bit of sense to you.

[ehuth1]

I think I've confused you guys somewhere, I have one tank in the bed. I just may have called it auxillary due to my understanding.

[dwaite72lnghrn]

I would think "over filling" could cause the vent to get liquid gas in it and be pulled by the vacuum into the canister.

[ehuth1]

Gas is back @ 3/4 of a tank and haven't had the problem since! Thanks for the info guys.