iblive

A few years ago I bought a used Performer manifold and a new Holley carb. The manifold did not have an EGR port cast in it. Had the heat cross over, but no EGR provisions. Finally got around to installing this past winter and now almost a year later I'm having a minor issue. It smells gassy when I park it in the garage after driving it.

(1) Obviously, I did not install the old EGR goodies in the new manifold as there was no place to put it. All vacuum lines were also discarded or plugged as needed.... or not needed as it were.
(2) I still have all the goodies in a box... I don't throw anything away.
(3) I do understand the function of the EGR system.
(4) I've researched and pretty much have determined the gassy smell is coming from what must be left of the EGR system either at the tank or that funky carbon canister thingy that's on the driver side of the engine compartment.
(5) Anyone have a suggestion to eliminate the odor. Purchasing a new manifold with provisions for the EGR is not a viable option at this time.

Thanks.

PS: I have a habit of using technical terms like "carbon canister thingy" to amuse people. It in no way undermines my mechanical ability.

Avette4me

I chucked the EGR and canister years ago and have yet to get gas smell in the garage.

Paul L

But the EGR has nothing to do with the evaporative system?

Mike Ward

Correct- two separate and unrelated systems.

iblive

Oops, it would appear I needed to read my manual a bit better. Both the ECS and EGR are discussed in the same section and in my skim reading, I misinterpreted what I was being told. Thank you for pointing that out.

However, one original question is still on the table. How do I fix it so my garage doesn't stink of gas after I drive it?

speedreed8

i had to install a new evap. cannister on my 79 to get the gas smell to stop, also installed a new non vented gas cap.

Paul L

Is the canister connected to the carb?

iblive

No it is not.

I believe it does have a line that goes to the tank though.

Paul L

Just a guess! Vacuum generated by the carb pulls the fumes out of the canister to be burnt in the combustion process. Thus those fumes are not released to the atmosphere; the purpose of the evaporation system.

What may be happening is that fuel vapors are being generated in the gas tank, trapped by a non-vented gas cap, forced forward to the canister, and pool there to be released when the vehicle is at rest. While moving the fumes may not be detected owing to air movement and evaporation. Connect a hose from the canister to the carb and see what happens.

Mike Ward

Just reconnect the canister and you'll be fine.

iblive

Reconnect to what? It's only ever had a line to the tank, which I believe it still is. No hose ever ran to the carb or I would assume air cleaner. If the canister was supposed to be connected in some way to the carb/air cleaner, it had long been disconnected when I purchased the car 10 years ago..... and it's only been in the past several weeks where it started making my garage stink.

I understand the concept behind a hose going to the carb in that any excess vapor would be run back thru the combustion process and out the exhaust = no smell.

There is a hose that comes out of the top of the canister and runs forward, ending under the radiator. It's not connected to anything, it's open to the air, and I'm guessing that may be the source of the odor... which brings be back to ..... If I replace the charcoal screen in the canister, since I'm guessing it's never been done in 33 years, would the odor go away?

Mike Ward

I don't know what year car you have and wouldn't know the exact routing of the hoses unless i looked in the AIM or similar document. Why not look it up yourself?

jb78L-82

Have not had the carbon canister hooked up to my carb for 25 years-no gas smell ever! I don't think that the smell is coming from that source being hooked up. I have a locking gas cap that was on the car when I purchased it in 1983 and is still there. I don't think that it is vented though.

MelWff

1. Check for a gas leak.
2. Check your float levels with the engine running.

iblive

(1) No leaks. Already checked for that.
(2) Good thought on float level. I'll have to check that.