FordExcursions.com Forums
Phillip Beall
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• Honey Grove, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 11/7/2004 |
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• 74 posts |
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 Posted:11/20/2004 19:38 |
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All,
I recently resolved a fuel sender issue by finding and untangling the float from the wires that send the signal to the gage...great design... In any case, that is now working fine. What I have not been able to determine is where a fuel leak is coming from.
For the past few months when topping the tank off it starts streaming fuel from somewhere on top of the tank, a large and steady stream. I have dropped the tank twice now and can not find the source of the leak, and it is a pretty big chore for one person. I am hoping to see if maybe I can get this figured out through someone else's experience.
I have checked all the fittings, hoses, connections, etc., and find absolutely no logical source for the fuel leak. It only leaks when the tank is being topped off and the fuel is backing up the fill pipe, so I am thinking it is somewhere right on the top of the tank, but for the life of me I can't find any obvious location. Anybody have a suggestion? 
Thanks
Phil
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:11/20/2004 21:30 |
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To simulate the leak with fuel in it maybe dropping the tank down and disconnecting the hose from the filler neck and add air from an air tank to spot the leak while everything else is connected while observing for escaping air.
Could try that before replacing the filler hose.
Anyone else with suggestions?
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:11/21/2004 09:08 |
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Be VERY careful about pumping air into that tank. If you do, you will need some way to keep the pressure way down ... like around 1 or 2 PSI ... or you could rupture the tank. Gas tanks are not designed to take any real internal pressure. Then brush on a soapy mixture (dish detergent & water) to se if bubbles form. After thinking about this a little while longer, I highly advise NOT putting any air pressure to the tank at all.
If you've got the tank on the ground, and the hose connections are long enough to reach one side of the tank, fill the tank with water and roll it onto its other side to see where it's leaking.
If the leak is "streaming" down the side of the tank, don't rule out the possibility that your fill hose has been damaged in some manner while you had the tank out. |
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Phillip Beall
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• Honey Grove, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 11/7/2004 |
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• 74 posts |
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 Posted:11/21/2004 10:46 |
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Guys,
Thanks for the advice. The leak actually developed before I dropped the tank the first time, but a piece of road debris may have put a small hole in the return line. I inspected it and didn't see anything.
As for worries about pressure rupturing the tank, I'm a little...skeptical that the tank would rupture from a small positive pressure. Remember, the fuel weighs about eight pounds per gallon. If you have forty gallons in the tank that is three hundred and twenty pounds of internal pressure pushing out, and it has to be stressed for bumps causing momentary g-loads that can cause that weight to increase by at least half. When I get back on it (probably about another week based on my schedule) I will turn the pressure down on the compressor, as it isn't really pressure I need, but volume.
I was planning to pick the tank up with my tractor front-end loader and then top it off with farm diesel to see where the leak is, but air weighs less, I won't have to move the tank hundreds of feet to gas it and de-gas it, and I'd as soon not have that red dye in the tank as I could never get it all totally drained out.
Thanks again for the follow up. I'm still hoping someone may happen along prior to my dropping it, again, that has had a similar experience.
Regards,
Phil  |
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E. Long
 
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/21/2004 16:48 |
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Could it be leaking out of the breather tube/fitting? Or maybe the breather is kinked or smething is obstructing it causing a problem with pressure in the tank? Probably a long shot...haven't dealt with any fuel leaks on my end so that's really all I can come up with for ideas.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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LANDYOT
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• Subscriber since 11/23/2003 |
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• Newport News, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 7/15/2003 |
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• 1,110 posts |
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Posted:11/21/2004 16:52 |
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Weight inside a tank is not the same as pressure. Heck, you can have the same weight, and have the tank subjected to a vacuum. That tank is structurally sound to withstand the weight of 44 gallons, but that does not mean it will withstand a pressurized leak test. Good luck! |
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CHPMustang
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• Plano, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 7/24/2002 |
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• 1,800 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:11/21/2004 16:53 |
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I'm still leaning towards the filler hoses but the ring gasket could be a suspect too 
When I mentioned pressurizing the tank I wasn't implying anything more than a couple pounds even though I should have been more specific 
I apologize if I caused some confusion 
Mojo going out to you Phillip to get the fuel leak resolved asap
Bill
Bill
2002 Excursion XLT-P 4x4 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel
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Phillip Beall
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• Honey Grove, TX, USA |
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• Registered on 11/7/2004 |
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• 74 posts |
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Posted:11/21/2004 20:04 |
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LANDYOT and Bill,
Thanks for the input. For sure I'll use low pressure to leak test the tank, and Bill, I suspect you're right and it is a hose or seal and I just overlooked it when I was inspecting things before. It will be the week after Thanksgiving before I can get to it again, but I will absolutely let all of you know what I find. Happy Thanksgiving all.
Phil |
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