I'm just going on my experience with this car: the emissions controls are excessive. I could fix it, but if this is another one of those thing they put on there to pass California laws back in 81, then I'd just as soon plug up the lines and not mess with it.
Because to me, this just looks like a place where fuel vapors go to turn back into liquid gas, that slowly drips back into the tank. I was only noticing the smell of gas when I put in more than 5 or 6 gallons and went up hills or around turns.
After smelling gas, I've discovered that three steel lines going from the fuel tank area up into the body behind the rear passenger wheel well are totally shot. They lead to the Fuel Vapor Seperator. Is this fuel seperator a necessary component or can I just plug up the lines?
The fuel pump on this model is also run through a voltage regulator. If you have a electrical tester, there is a check detailed in the haynes manual for testing the regulator.