I have a 94 Toyota 4X4 pick-up with a V-6. There is a strong gas odor in the cab of the truck sometimes when I stop. Once the truck starts moving, the odor somewhat dissipates. This does not occur all of the time but is becoming more frequent. The shop states they cannot diagnose the problem unless the truck is currently exhibiting the problem. I was told I would be charged either way.

I was thinking it could be the charcoal canister clogged under the hood. I pulled the gas tank vent tube and shot air through it so it is not clogged. Anyone have any ideas?

Check your fuel lines for leaks. Also check the fuel injection system for leaks. Any other symptoms? Has it been more sluggish than normal?

I have checked for leaks and there are none. I have also checked my mileage and it has not decreased any noticeable amount.

my 92' 3.0 was doing something close. i would get a gas odor in the cab for a few seconds after a warm start up. what i found was some of my o-rings on the fuel injector was weeping a little. it was such a small amount that it would leave no visible puddle of gas. just a little on the manifold. when starting up cold the gas had already evaporated (like setting over-night) so no gas smell. after starting up and some driving the fuel system was primed and fully pressurized and the leaky oring would allow a little to escape after i shut the truck off, when i fired it back up and it had not set long enough to fully evaporate i would get the gas (not taco bell) smell in the cab for just a few seconds. i found this by pulling off the plenum and noticing a bit of a stain on the manifold and around the injector. re o-ringed all the injectors and it went away. another symptom of fuel system leaking down is that it takes a few extra cranks of the starter before she starts up when cold.
could be your issue or something close....let us know what you find.

There is a plastic thingy on the end of the fuel rail. They crack and leak a small ammount of fuel onto the exhaust tubes going under the firewall. Almost impossable to see it. if you reach your hand under the intake on the back passenger side on the back of the fuel rail you will see this device and I bet if you run your engine for a few mins you can feel the gas spraying out of that thing. I dont remember what it is called but both my 94Runner and my father in laws 89Runner had this issues. Noone could figure it out. Matter of fact my 89' 4Runner burned up and it had the same gass smell issue. You might check into it.

this is the fuel pressure vibration dampener. if this was his problem, then he would see a steady decline in milage. i had this happen about two years ago. fun to get to lol, but its do able. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

You can pull the intake plenum (i would leave as much hooked up as you could and just lay it over to the passenger side to make things a little easier...) and take some spare hose and run a line from the pressure regulator to either a jug or something. If you still have the return line on the plenum hooked up, you can run it to that with enough hose. With the key in the "ON" position, take a paperclip or small wire and jumper the top left and top right (looking at it from the front of the truck) connectors in the diagnostic block to turn the fuel pump on. If you have a gas leak at either the vibration dampener, pressure regulator or fuel injector you should be able to tell. Also, you should be able to look this up on the FSM sticky for more "professional" instructions and a picture or two.....