I've been here before on this and have now, "searched," for later comments. My '77 242 hasn't been used much this year, (wife in mediocre health), so I've been getting by with my intermittent gas leak back around the left rear tire and EVAP canister location. Gas will drip from that area when tank is full or nearly so. Taking off the gas cap, letting it go, "phsst," and replacing it will minimize drip. Lower tank level and it pretty much goes away. I've kept the old girl on the road enough that way to keep her limbered up and in shape but EVAP removal, service or replacement and associated hose replacement is in the near future. SO....hearing that these EVAP cans are no longer available what are all of you doing in recent times to service/deal with this kind of situation? I'm now too old to do the work myself, so I would like to do my homework before I take it to local mechanic. He's a good monkey-wrencher, logical and careful. We work well together, but he's not a Volvo guy. Nearest dealer or independent Volvo shop is over 80 miles away.
Comments appreciated,
Dennis in E WA rural wheat/ag area

Obviously a fuel leak can be a very serious problem and you really need to find the source of the leak.

From your description of the location of the leak, I would suspect a part called a fuel accumulator as it is a common issue for those to leak a little fuel. However the fuel pump and a couple of fuel hoses are in that same area near the left rear wheel.

Although possible, it would be highly unusual for the evaporative system to cause a fuel leak.

FYI, it is still possible to buy replacement fuel injection parts new and used although some of them aren't going to be cheap. For example, if you do need a fuel accumulator, the most you should have to pay for a new 1 is $88.00. But some of the other FI parts can be quite pricey if you can find them new. The slightly better news is, parts like the fuel distributor and fuel pressure regulator can be rebuilt.

Please let me know if you or your mechanic need some help with parts or repair procedures. I own a repair shop in Torrance, CA and we specialize in rear wheel drive Volvos.

If you don't already have 1, you should get at least 1 repair manual BEFORE you start. We have original Volvo repair and parts manuals (sometimes called green books), but we still reference other sources, most commonly our collection of Haynes repair manuals.

I think I have a copy of the green book FI repair manual on my computer for your car if you are interested.

Good luck.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

Thank you planetman, it is very helpful. So likely I won't have to worry about the unobtainable canister. Background: I bought this '77 from the original owner and I've owned it for over 25 years. About 190K on the odometer. Exterior is near perfect and it has always been a great car. In bad weather I don't drive it. I store it inside during winter, but warm it up occasionally. I can virtually guarantee it has NEVER had the fuel pump replaced or anything else up in that cavity where all these parts are located. I am sure it deserves all that mess removed, checked and anything it needs replaced. That said, I'm 75 now, so that's why I've had to cut way back on the stuff I do myself. And retirement income does not leave me with much in the way of excess spending money. So I do my homework and plan carefully. I DO have a full set of the green-book Volvo original manuals.
So when I take it to mechanic I need to go equipped with knowing exactly what high quality fuel hoses are needed. (BTW, he often likes me to provide odd parts myself as it saves him time for things a little unusual) I wonder if I should just grit my teeth and buy an accumulator now? And then there's the fuel pump. 190,xxx miles is one thing, but 40+ years is another. And they are not cheap.
What do you suggest I buy ahead of time? And what fuel hose is the highest quality? (Thinking that is bulk hose and not preformed)
Dennis

Hello Dennis,

If you're on a budget and as long as you aren't in a rush, don't fire the parts cannon yet.

I know it can be a PITA, but you might have to make 2 trips to the mechanics shop, 1 for diagnosis and a 2nd for the actual repair once you sourced the needed parts.

If possible, have your mechanic take pictures, especially if he has a lift. There are 2 configurations for the fuel hose and accumulator.

There are fuel hoses involved, but most of them are made of hard plastic and rarely break or leak on their own.

Do you have a parts manual? In some circumstances, a parts diagram can be very informative.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

Eric, I'll proceed without rushing anything. 'Gotta take wife's Cherokee in for service first anyway. So what we're looking at is photograph the underside to see which version I have. Maybe tomorrow I can jack up the LR, slide under there and take photos without taking it to town. I've yet to pull my green gooks on '77 fuel systems. I'll do that tonight. As far as a parts book, not sure about that. I've got a 1992, "Volvo Quick Reference," which I used a LOT a few years ago. But it doesn't cover much of this.
I'll see if I can get photo. Then try to figure out how to get it on here....if one can...

Hello Dennis,

Just be careful when using a jack, but I'm sure you're well aware.

Not only was I looking for which configuration, but I was also hoping to see the source of the leak.
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

Well, might have found it. Went under 242 tonight. (Yes, I always use a jack stand as well as leaving the floor jack in place.) Took photos. Hope I can manage to post some here. I don't have a URL location for photos. While under there I noticed a small hose coming from what must be the top of the gas tank that has broken. Hose almost like 1/4 inch vacuum hose, but probably thicker walls. Other end seems to go up under floor boards and head toward engine compartment. I pulled my Volvo Green Book, ("CI Fuel Injection System, 240/260 1976-) Various pages. Page 30 shows two lines from the gas tank, one primary running from in-tank pump to main pump. The other goes to engine and tee's to the Control Pressure Regulator and the Fuel Distributor. So, pending whether I can get photos up, I'm guessing that's the place to begin.
1. Does that hose enter the gas tank under one of the removable plates inside the truck, above tank?
2. What is the best hose to buy? Ought to be, "fuel proof," as they say.
3. Remind me the purpose of this hose, other than what I suppose to be a gas return/relief.
4. Any troubles forecast to re-threading a new hose on this route?
5. If I get photos up, my old F. Pump is pretty cruddy. Original I'm sure and probably deserves replacement just based on age and not the 192K miles on the clock.
Thanks, Dennis, who can evidently still crawl under a car occasionally.....
PS: guess I don't know how to include photo...

Can you email or text me your pictures?
--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502
hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com

Thanks. Yes, I can easily email photos. Just let me know where to send them. Thanks, Dennis dbtrail@gmail.com