I keep getting an intermittent evap error (small evap leak) which I’ve read is fairly common. I’ve just been resetting it with a scanner but today I decided to dig in with smoke. I tested the section before the purge valve and no leaks. Then I tested the section after the purge valve and got a ton of smoke from around the gas cap. The gas cap isn’t leaking, but there are two slots in the metal just above the gas cap where smoke is pouring out. See pic. Does anyone know what these slots are, and are they part of the evap system’s normal operation (a vent?) or is there a serious leak somewhere?
Thanks

Arrows point to slots