Hey Everyone,

I've got an '89 VW Cabriolet. Over the past few months, when it's been warm
and I've been driving for a while there's been a strong scent of gas back by
the tank. Of course it's never reproducible at the mechanic.

Also of late, when I take the gas cap off there has been a strong whoosh as
vapours exhaust from the tank, almost as if the tank is over-pressured.
(This never happens in my Nissan pickup).

Today, I filled the tank after driving for about an hour in rush hour
stop-and-go traffic. The tank was still two-thirds full and the WHOOSH and
resultant venting was so strong when I removed the gas cap that fuel
literally sprayed out of filler neck/opening and down the side of the car
(and all over my pants!). Probably a good half-liter or so of fuel.

Seems to me like there's a strong vapour-pressure building up in the tank.
Might also explain the scent of fuel when it's warm.

Any thoughts as to what could be causing this and what I should be doing to
correct it?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada