Petrol gushing out of tank when filler cap removed

[riceman]

I have a 2001 1.4 petrol multispace. Yesterday, there was strong petrol smell when getting into car. Did not start engine. Noted that body paint blistered around the closed filler cap. When removing cap, petrol gushed out. Any ideas on what is happening? Is there fuel vent that may be clogged?tudy:

[ron]

Your suspicion about the breather is likely.Check it first.

[riceman]

Thanks Ron. Through a friend, I was lucky to locate a savvy mechanic working on 28 Dec 11. After listening to the symptoms, the mechanic said no problem. He removed the filler cap and drilled 1/16" hole in it. He said this should sort out the problem and added that the newly drilled hole was small enough to vent fuel tank and would keep out rain. Expensive option would have been to remove the fuel tank and check small valve on top of tank as well as the fuel line, etc. So far, everything seems to be working.