So I get a gas smell from the fuel tank area after I fill up until it drops down to about 3/4 of a tank.

After 2 calls to different dealers I'm a bit frustrated after being told this is "normal". My check engine light is not on. There are no visible leaks. They said it is the system purging as the gas expands.

I'm ok with this explanation, although my understanding is that it goes through a purge valve which contains activated charcoal. This should alleviate the smell, right?

They claim that there is NO way the valve is bad because it did not trip the CEL.

I realize I could just only fill up to 3/4 of a tank, but this is pissing me off. No other cars that I owned had this problem. I hate that they trust the CEL's like gospel.

Ideas?

 

Which dealers did you talk to?

 

Our cars at the Lexus dealer ship do that too, but they say its normal do to the heat they purge as the gas expands cause I was smelling it allot out in the lots.

 

I talked to centennial and honda west. If this is normal then I guess all my previous vehicles were "abnormal".

 

You are not alone. Mine does the same when it gets hot out. It did it all of the time when I lived in Vegas, not so much when I lived in Cali, and all of the time out here in AZ. Always after a fill up in the heat.

 

Yup same thing my S always rinks of gas when it is hot out and the A/C is on.

 

ditto