Solved: Gas Smell from driver side rear wheel-well
 

Ever since I've bought the car I get occasional strong gas smells which emanate from behind the driver's side of the car and come in through the open window. Really awful smell, but I hadn't been able to find anything leaking. Other people have had similar issues related to the charcoal canister as discussed here:

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=517772

Turns out mine was even a simpler issue. I had the fender liner and I noticed that there's a foam gasket between the inlet for the gas filler and the pipe. There are four fasteners that compress the gasket and seal the filler to the body of the car. On my car, only 1 of the fasteners was in place. The other 3 (2 nuts that are under the rubber collar inside the filler door and one bolt) were gone. Apparently the work of a previous owner. Anyway, the gasket wasn't sealing properly as a result, causing vapors to escape there.

I didn't have the proper hardware to fix it yesterday when I discovered it but I will fix it this weekend and report back. I'm psyched it was something this simple to fix. Might even improve my MPG some. The FD has been a joy to drive but with the sickening fumes coming in the window whenever it was down made it less than pleasant. I can't wait to drive it this weekend now that spring is here.

Cool.

Had you noticed that the cap didn't relieve pressure when you went to fill the tank?

Dave

Now that you mention it... I don't think I've ever heard the characteristic hissing sound when removing the gas cap. Makes sense ;)

Little update: I replaced the missing bolt. On closer inspection I found that the other two studs that are behind the rubber collar are actually just alignment dowels and are not threaded. Took the car for a long drive with all the windows down and sunroof open and no gas smell at all!