2005 XC70 Smell of gas (New to Volvo's)

[vtl]

I hope you see the picture. Box with a cross is the canister, white box to the right - EVAP diagnostic pump.

[- Pete -]

This sounds much like a leak I had back in January of 2016 on our 04 XC70.

The culprit was a wire that had been carelessly left laying across the green gasket that seals the top of your fuel tank in the exact location you mentioned seeing the leak/smell emanating from. Definitely have a look at the top cap/gasket underneath!
On ours, we owned the car 4 full years before it started smelling frequently like fuel. If I only filled it up part way the smell/leak was much less noticeable. Once I righted the wire/seal, problem gone. I have the tool if you want to borrow it. Just pay for shipping. You can make it out of PVC if you want to, Bart made his out of 4" I believe it was.

[RickHaleParker]

Does anyone have a picture of the evap canister so I know what I'm looking for?

[wczimmerman]

MANY THANKS to everyone for the assistance!

Pete: I will shoot you a PM. I need to figure out what weekend I will be doing all this.

[wczimmerman]

I hope you see the picture. Box with a cross is the canister, white box to the right - EVAP diagnostic pump.

I do see it. So, drop the exhaust and remove the heat shield should reveal that canister? Then I just check the lines for signs of leakage.

[vtl]

I do see it. So, drop the exhaust and remove the heat shield should reveal that canister? Then I just check the lines for signs of leakage.

Yes. You will have very little access to the hoses, may need to lower subframe partially for better access. Unbolting one corner takes it down for 2-3 inches.

On older P2 (2002) there was a prominent rubber-made J-hose attached to the canister that was drying/cracking. Don't remember if 2005 has it or if it's made of rubber or plastic, I simply could not take canister out. At the end the source for a "large leak" detected by computer was EVAP diag pump, which died.

[wczimmerman]

I do see it. So, drop the exhaust and remove the heat shield should reveal that canister? Then I just check the lines for signs of leakage.

Yes. You will have very little access to the hoses, may need to lower subframe partially for better access. Unbolting one corner takes it down for 2-3 inches.

On older P2 (2002) there was a prominent rubber-made J-hose attached to the canister that was drying/cracking. Don't remember if 2005 has it or if it's made of rubber or plastic, I simply could not take canister out. At the end the source for a "large leak" detected by computer was EVAP diag pump, which died.

How were you able to determine the pump failed?

[vtl]

How were you able to determine the pump failed?

Diagnostic (in VIDA) was not starting, vacuum was not increasing. Perhaps, car software thought: "Ouch, can't create any vacuum, it must be a large hole".

[wczimmerman]

Looks like Pete nailed it.

I started to drop the exhaust but as I found the flange bolts rusted stuck just behind the cat I stopped and thought, "I should look under the seat..."

Well, I am thankful I did. You can see from the picture that the sending unit seal is obviously leaking quite a bit. I'll get a new gasket and tool on order and get this done. Just need to find the part numbers...

[wczimmerman]

Found them. $90 including shipping for everything. I'm happy with that since the local Volvo shop was quoting $1000 to drop the tank...