[Leaking Charcoal Canister and Overheating Engine]

Thanks alot for these. Good info- My prob seems simular ..I began noticing a gas smell occasionally ,even while vehicle is standing (engine off) Its running good these days but temp gauge is approaching too hot.

I tapped the thermostat housing and it seemed to help.

My plans are to flush coolant system, the replace Thermo with a 192 degree Thermo, then test the charcoal cannister..But now you got me concerned about carbon build up

My gas cap seems to be a primitive simple one..unvented

So i will concentrate on charcoal device

Please advise further if you will

Thanks

"Vented" is probably poor nomenclature for gas caps as it gives the impression that it allows air or vapors to travel both ways, in and out.

A vented cap only allows air to enter when so much fuel has been drawn from the tank so quickly that a negative pressure develops. It DOES NOT allow pressure to escape from the tank. It is specifically designed to retain the pressure that develops in the tank.

I repeat, it DOES NOT allow pressure to escape from the tank. Since the early 1970's, all automotive gas caps have been required to contain a check valve that allows air to enter, but does not allow fuel vapor to escape.

If you buy an automotive gas cap, it has a one way check valve in it and it is called "vented." No exceptions... (unless you buy one specifically for an antique vehicle or for off-road use, such as racing).

See http://www.stant.com...location_id=170

REID VAPOR PRESSURE

With today's gasoline, you will see up to 9 PSI of vapor pressure develop in your tank at 100 degrees. It doesn't matter if there is 1 cup of liquid gasoline or 10 gallons of liquid gasoline. The vapor pressure will be the same. See http://en.wikipedia...._Vapor_Pressure

Your vehicle is running extremely rich. Recall from the evap system diagram that an evap hose connects directly to your engine's intake (under vacuum) and if liquid fuel gets in there it is sucked straight into the engine.

I recommend, again, that your mechanic disconnect and plug the following:

*The evap hose that leads to the fuel tank

*The evap hose that goes between the charcoal canister and the engine's intank manifold

And then check for more than 2psi backpressure at the oxygen sensor fitting (confirming plugged catalytic converter).

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Since last time I wrote, I additionally suggest that a mechanic connect a vacuum gauge to your intake manifold and check the vacuum under load. If the vacuum gets low or approaches zero under load, this also confirms an exhaust restriction.

See http://www.earlycuda...ech/vacuum2.htm for a small example of the diagnostic capabilities of a vacuum gauge in trained hands.

But remember that untrained inexperienced hands will not be able to interperet their findings. Thank you for keeping us informed. I'm glad to help you any way I can. BTW, remember:

Any idiot can put a stethoscope to a persons chest, but that does not make them a cardiologist, now does it!