Gas Leak ...

[PULMEOVR]

Hi guys,

Okay, so I am having the worst week of my life. I owe my mom $2,500 CAD because I used her truck, and accidentally slid on some ice and smashed her rim into a curb, wrecking her control arm, bearing, rim, tire, and inner fender protector.

Now, to top it all off, I found out my car (which is parked in my garage due to Winter), is leaking gas. It appears to be leaking from the filler neck (where it connects to the actual gas tank). The outside plastic covering the metal filler neck tube is covered with liquid (gas). Sooo, as some of you know I live at home. My mom wants the car out of the garage, and parked in the driveway. Since I am taking it out, I figured maybe I should just drive through the salt/snow and take it to the dealership to fix this problem. The only issue is that I don't have alot of money right now (I'm a student) to pay for this "fix".

So anyways, my question is this: How is the filler neck attached to the gas tank? Is it welded? If so, it will obviously cost alot since a mechanic can't weld the neck to the tank with gas in it. If it is not welded, how is it connected? Is it easy/inexpensive to replace?


Thanks for your insight guys,
Matt

 

[LaserRed01GT]

There is an upper filller neck that connects to the fill tube on the side of the tank. The fill tube is held to the side of the fuel tank by one bolt. You can pull aside the carpet and panel in the trunk to gain access to the fuel filler neck and the rubber grommet at the bottom of the trunk.

Where exactly does it appear to be leaking from? Does it only do it when you are filling up?

View attachment 408239

 

[PULMEOVR]

I'm going to go check again ...

 

[PULMEOVR]

Okay, the gas is leaking from the places shown in the picture (enclosed in the rectangular boxes). I should mention that the car has been sitting in my garage since October 30th. It has been warm (above freezing) until about three weeks ago. Now, we are into a deep freeze.

The tank is 95% full. I drove to the gas station and got gas, and then drove home and parked it. It has only started leaking recently (about a week). Any thoughts on if it is just the filler neck? It seems to be leaking at the top AND bottom of the filler neck (could fuel still be in there? It's relatively narrow, and could not hold much volume).

Anyways, I will post pictures tomorrow afternoon.

EDIT: Could it be that there is pressure in the system/tank? I could loosen the gas cap, in hope of reducing pressure and maybe temporarily stopping the gas leak (there is a penny sized drop on the ground).

Thanks for your time,
Matt

 

[19mustang95]

i had the same problem, i was filling up at a gas station and i was about to leave and noticed a puddle of gas under my car...turns out the rubber gasket that seals the filler neck going into the gas tank ripped. It is like a $29 part and its not really that hard to drop the tank and put in the new gasket. i got mine done at a shop because i was at college and didnt have a place to do it at, and i was charged $170. but if you are gonna try it yourself, dont forget to drain the tank first.

 

[PULMEOVR]

Okay, heres some pictures...

This is where the filler neck attaches to the filler port:

And this is where the filler tube attaches to the gas tank.

How hard is it to change the gasket? Do I have to drop the tank, even if there is only say an 1/8 tank left?

Thanks

 

[Mike97gt]

you will have to lower the tank to replace it. only hard part is going to be removing the fuel from the tank.

 

[LaserRed01GT]

Okay, heres some pictures...

This is where the filler neck attaches to the filler port:

How hard is it to change the gasket? Do I have to drop the tank, even if there is only say an 1/8 tank left?

Thanks

Looks like it might be leaking in more than one spot, filler neck and filler tube. If you only have 1/8th left in the tank, you can just lower it like it is.

 

[PULMEOVR]

Well, I have a full tank of gas. If I have to drop and drain the whole tank and disconnect all the fuel lines etc. to change this gasket, I might as well just have the dealer do it in the Spring. It does seem odd that it would be leaking from the filler tube neck (right behind the gas cap). Then again, I am no mechanic!

 

[LaserRed01GT]

Well, I have a full tank of gas. If I have to drop and drain the whole tank and disconnect all the fuel lines etc. to change this gasket, I might as well just have the dealer do it in the Spring. It does seem odd that it would be leaking from the filler tube neck (right behind the gas cap). Then again, I am no mechanic!

On most GM's there is a fuel prime connector that will allow you to run the pump to drain the tank. Our Mustangs don't have this, but there is a way to trick the fuel pump circuit, I have done it before but I can't remember how I did it. Let me go look at a Mustang later and I will get back to you.

 

[PULMEOVR]

I appreciate that Laser, but I think I will bring it to the dealer. I don't want to mess around with it. I figure it is a pain in the ass, so I'll leave it to the dealer. They need to fix a creaking noise in my front suspension anyways (damn Ford).

Thanks,
Matt

 

[2000fordstanggt]

ive been having the same problem, if i fill it above 3/4 it starts to leak from there. so laser, how do you use the fuel pump to drain the tank?