Weird fuel leak?

[Fishy]

Okay, I've been searching and reading other "leak" threads for days but haven't seen anyone describe theirs quite like this:

Fill car to ~7/8 on the gauge and unless you goose'er around some corners you don't get any drips and very little smell.

BUT

If you get over-zealous filling it and get over that mark it probably won't leak right away but when you drive it and then stop it's dripping like gas is free... and of course it stinks like gas nice and strong.

I'm confused. Could this be the common filler neck leak?

At first I thought it was the gasket around the pump but there's a new one in there now.

[Fishy]

Any ideas?

[subawhatsubawho]

Jack you car up and put it on blocks or jackstands then fill it up with gas cans. Get under there with a flash light and a rag and look for the source. I say a rag so you can wipe any liquid away you see to see if it keeps coming back.

If this doesn't work try only lifting the rear of the vehicle.

Much luck to you. Keep us updated.

[Legacy777]

Where is it leaking from?

If you haven't looked to see what area it's coming from...do that.

[Fishy]

I know where the drips land in relation to the car. But I don't have a very good situation for crawling around under the car here in the apartment complex.

The leak ends up dripping just beside the right rear tire.

[subawhatsubawho]

It does almost sound like the filler neck. If the apartment complex has those parking chocks you could get some sturdy wood and put it on the chock to form a small ramp. The same could be done on any curb really. Worse comes to worse take it to a mechanic to find.

Leaking fuel is not something to take lightly.

We don't want you to be FRIED FISHY!!

[Legacy777]

yeah it's probably the filler neck. Remove the plastic cover on the filler neck, and that should tell you right away if the neck is rusted out.

[Fishy]

I know I certainly don't want fried Fishy !

The best way into that filler neck thing is with the right rear tire off, correct?

[Legacy777]

yeah....there's a couple screws to remove the plastic cover.

To remove the neck, you remove the three bolts at the filler neck where you put gas in, and remove the hose clamp at the tank.

[tonflo]

To check it just slide underneath the back of the rear bumper on the pass. side with a decent sized regular screwdriver & some pliers. Bend the metal tab at the elbow back with the screwdriver. Once it's started, straighten it enough with the pliers to push the plastic guard off the tab. It takes a little jiggling. No ramps needed. No need to remove wheel. Just be careful as all the sand trapped between the plastic guard and metal pipe will fall out in your face if you are lying right under it. I check mine once or twice a year but I do it by reaching in.

[Fishy]

Well if I can convice the wife and myself both to stop driving the damned car for more than a couple minutes I'll have to have a stab at this filler neck jobby.

You say there's a hose clamp on the neck at the tank end? is that accessable from the little hatch inside the car or from underneath?

[Legacy777]

You have to do the filler neck and hose clamp from underneath.

[tonflo]

Right, but to check it is simple. Only have to crawl under if it is rusted out.

[Fishy]

Thanks guys, now that I know where to look and what to look for I'll be ready to check it out when the chance arises.

[Fishy]

I got under the car today to look at the filler tube. I pulled the bottom of the plastic sheild out of the way and felt around and looked as best I could but didn't find any rust holes up to the rubber hose part. I re-seated the hose clamp on the end that's accessable though but it was on pretty good to start with

*I guess I'll have to get some fuel in a jerry can and lay under the car with a candle or match to see where the b4stard is leaking



*note: don't be a motard. don't try this at home.

[Fishy]

Took the plastic shield off completely today. Saw some evidence of tomfoolery: there was a ziptie holding the filler neck to the bracket that is in the middle of the vertical section AND the neck itself seems to have been sprayed with cheap Cambodian Tire undercoat spray at some point. At least that's what it looked like to me. Or is that a factory coating that looks that cheap?

Anyway there was a load of wet sand packed up around the neck in a bunch of places. Next step will be to pull the sucker out to look closer for a hole because I sure as heck can't see/feel any with it on the car.