1993 ford escort fuel smell and leak when full

[niko1]

my escort leaks when the tank is full. If only put 7 to 7.5 gallons in it it will not leak. Any one had the same problem. just hoping to have somthing to look for before dropping the tank. Thank you

[mightymoose_22]

I assume the leak is coming from the area of the tank?
Either get under there with a light and try to identify a hole or a crack, or look for a wet area around any joints or gaskets... a leak shouldn't be hard to find...

I suppose you could light a match and follow the trail...

No, on second thought... don't do that :P

[Davescort97]

Don't drop the tank. The metal filler neck runs down to the tank and is connected by a rubber hose. Looks like a radiator hose. When this hose gets old it starts cracking out and leaking. It's this connector hose that is most likely the culprit. Anyway, on my 97 this was the problem. Had to pay a minimum of 1 hr. labor plus the cost of the hose. Whole thing came to $86. Top clamp is a bear to get to.

[SgtRauksauff]

99.9% probability that the tank itself is fine.

Do you have a Haynes or Chiltons repair manual? Worth the 15 bucks to get one.

Pop off the back seat (two push-in tabs) and take out the 4 screws (7 or 8mm bolt heads) holding the plate down in the middle. right there is the sending unit/fuel pump assembly. Basically, what happens is the fuel lines take a 90deg bend when they come out. Over time, the lines rust/crack right there, and leak when you fill it up. Autozone has the parts you need, or you can go to a junkyard and try your luck. Although a lot of junkyards remove the gas tanks from cars before putting them out there.

--sarge

[niko1]

Thanks for the info sarge! I will look at the sending unit a little closer. I had found that the locking ring was half rotted off yesterday, so i am in the process of getting a new ring and gasket. The funny thing is that nothing looks like it is leaking that bad!
thanks