I previously posted that my '93 940T had developed an annoying gasoline smell. Because of the nature of this problem, and because the car was due for an oil change anyway, the dealer looked at it and diagnosed it as the charcoal filter being worn out. Does anybody know what function this thing serves? I am not an expert on charcoal filters! I am quickly learning how fun it is to maintain an older car - not as easy on the pocketbook as one may think. Thanks, -Scott
--
Scott Nauert

PROBLEM SOLVED:
Well, life is a learning experience. You all were correct; there was nothing wrong with my charcoal filter as what the Volvo dealer had claimed. I took the car in to the local independent shop, and I wasn't in the seat 5 minutes when they came out and told me I had a cracked #4 injector, and gasoline was spraying out into the engine bay. They said the Volvo dealer not only misdiagnosed the problem, they let me drive with a very hazardous condition present and that any mechanic should have been able to catch the leaking injector. Needless to say, following the repairs, the car idles perfectly now and the gasoline smell has disappeared. Thanks for the advice, -Scott in STL
--
Scott Nauert

I am glad you got it resolved. I have heard of worn out seals but never a cracked injector. It is something to be aware of, in case. Thanks for posting back.

Hi,
My car 940SE, 1991 has just developed this issue of gas smell inside the car. The engine bay, bottom of the car or trunk does not smell any gas. It does not matter driving or parked (Even overnight). For example if parked overnight, when the door is opened it smells gas. If I open all the doors the smell goes away. Upon closing the door, it again starts smelling gas. Please advise if you have the same issue or some other ideas/places to look for the source.
Thanks
Ram

There was a recall or a service bulletin for the 91 SE turbo. Problem with the tank or seal. Not sure. Drive it to a dealer and have them check the VIN number.

Back about 1993, I had the Volvo dealer tell me my 90 745 with B230F had an interference engine and that not only did I need the belt replaced immediately, I had no need for a valve adjustment since it had hydraulic lifters. Wrong on both counts. That got me on the road to online Volvo maintenance and led to the FAQ. I have not been back to the dealer since.

Hi Scott
Have you considered changing the cap for the fuel tank ?

Charles-
That was replaced back in July so I doubt it's the cap, unless that failed for some reason. I'm going to take it to the one independent Volvo mechanic in St. Louis next week for a second look, so I'll report my findings. -Scott
--
Scott Nauert

Hello:

The only charcoal cannisters I have seen that have needed replacement involved front-end collisions. Stay away from dealers unless you you have money to burn!
Treating a 15 year old car like a new one will bankrupt you in short order. Find a local independent with techs who worked at the dealership when your car was new-- they will work for less money and do a better job. There are a few who post here and their advice is money in your pocket. Better still, hang out here and ask questions and in no time you will be doing the work yourself, which will put piles of money back in your pocket...

Good luck!
--
Herb Goltz, Aurora, Ontario, Canada '92 945t 210K mi

I agree with the others, the charcoal cannister does not go bad. The valves and hoses that control the vapors moving thru the cannister go bad. The charcoal is just a temporary home for the vapors until the ECM decides the engine can burn them.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 077,400 and 1995 964 154,100

Sounds like a "diagnosis" by someone who does not understand how car engines and associated emissions control stuff works. I would stay away from the stealerships for all repairs except recalls and warranty work and even then watch em carefully for overcharging and unnecessary work.

These go bad? Do you trust this guy knowing that he get a big cut in any extra business that he generates?

The charcoal in the canister absorbs fuel vapor from the fuel tank. Once the car starts the manifold vacuum moves the fuel to the combustion chamber.

Having the charcoal canister go bad is a possible but a long shot. Since the hose ends are just a little hard to get at they are often overlooked. There is also a rubber cap on one of the canister ports that will split too.

Sorry, the charcoal filter is NOT a wear item. Older cars are devastatingly expensive when dealer serviced.
The charcoal filter collects vapors from the gas tank and feeds them into the engine when it's running above idle. Possibly a vacuum line problem.