Gas tank leaking?

[TJ4Cam]

Well its winter in NW Ohio and my Roush has been sitting for nearly 4 months now. I walked out to the garage yesterday and smelled fuel, I knew that was not good so I peeked under the Roush and saw gas dripping through the plastic tank cover out the bottom. This is on the filler(pass) side of the car. Was also getting a bit on the exhaust pipe on that side.

Why would fuel just start trickling out? Short of there being an actual hole in the tank, what are the possible causes? All I know that goes into the tank on that side would be the filler tube, right? Bad seal? I do fill the tank full for winter storage.

Anybody ever run into this before? Do you think the seal from the filler tube to tank might be bad? car is only 4 yrs old this year! If thats the case I would assume that the fuel would stop leaking out after it drained from the filler tube itself right? Opinions??

[spindlecone]

Originally Posted by TJ4Cam

Well its winter in NW Ohio and my Roush has been sitting for nearly 4 months now. I walked out to the garage yesterday and smelled fuel, I knew that was not good so I peeked under the Roush and saw gas dripping through the plastic tank cover out the bottom. This is on the filler(pass) side of the car. Was also getting a bit on the exhaust pipe on that side.

Why would fuel just start trickling out? Short of there being an actual hole in the tank, what are the possible causes? All I know that goes into the tank on that side would be the filler tube, right? Bad seal? I do fill the tank full for winter storage.

Anybody ever run into this before? Do you think the seal from the filler tube to tank might be bad? car is only 4 yrs old this year! If thats the case I would assume that the fuel would stop leaking out after it drained from the filler tube itself right? Opinions??

Is it in a heated garage? If the tank was filled when cold, gas expands as it warms, just a thought

[TJ4Cam]

Originally Posted by spindlecone

Is it in a heated garage? If the tank was filled when cold, gas expands as it warms, just a thought

It has been cold here.....0 and below..I have a tiny space heater I use that keeps it near the freezing mark though. I just wonder why it would physically leak??

[Mariob01GT]

Check the filler pipe that goes into the gas tank. It's a metal tube that slides in thru an opening in this side the tank. The other end is the filler end and is bolted to the quarter panel. On my 94 Mustang it had developed a small pin hole due to rust and would leak any time I would top it off. I believe it was a $60-70 part. It wasn't too hard to replace, just have to drop the tank.

[DevilSun]

Originally Posted by Mariob01GT

Check the filler pipe that goes into the gas tank.

Yep, that'd be my suggestion as well...

[RoushRocks]

yep..it's gonna be the filler tube most likely. Had the same problem in my '94 GT...replaced it and everything was great. BTW, it's not as easy to change as it seems.

[TJ4Cam]

Thanks guys...once we get a reasonable temperature around these parts, I will be looking into the filler tube. Appreciate the help!

[Mr DayZee]

All these minor details...Just dont be dropping no matches under the ROOUUSSH

[Mariob01GT]

Originally Posted by RoushRocks

yep..it's gonna be the filler tube most likely. Had the same problem in my '94 GT...replaced it and everything was great. BTW, it's not as easy to change as it seems.

It's no harder then dropping the fuel tank which is held on by two bolts. The challange comes in when the bolts are rusted to the speed nuts and either snap or start spinning. That's when you take it slow, use penetrating lube and slowly turn the bolt out to work it free. His Mustang is newer, should be straight forward. Drop the tank, slide the filler tube out, replace it. Piece of cake.

[TJ4Cam]

Got a better look at it today, its leaking at the inlet to the tank, looks to be the grommet there...the guy at the parts counter says the grommet is prob at fault, dry rotted etc...gonna try that for $17 first..the filler tube assy is $140. He went on to say that Ford updated the grommet and I will be getting the new version...........must be a problem they recognize on the '94 and up cars?

[bluestang01]

Originally Posted by TJ4Cam

I have a tiny space heater I use that keeps it near the freezing mark though.

That's awesome, the Roush has it's own heater!

[Mariob01GT]

Originally Posted by TJ4Cam

Got a better look at it today, its leaking at the inlet to the tank, looks to be the grommet there...the guy at the parts counter says the grommet is prob at fault, dry rotted etc...gonna try that for $17 first..the filler tube assy is $140. He went on to say that Ford updated the grommet and I will be getting the new version...........must be a problem they recognize on the '94 and up cars?

The filler tube assmebly is not that much. I don't remember pay that much for it at all. Let me see if I can dig thru my old receipts.

Is this part from a parts store? I would get that inlet gasket thru Ford.

[Mariob01GT]

Found it.

Now this was for my 94. I don't know how much they changed. I'm thinking that the gas tanks from 94 thru 04 are for the most part identical.

F4ZZ9034B Filler Pipe Assembly $66.12


PICTURES OF TANK REMOVAL