2002 Ford Escort leaking gasoline please help

[linuxguy0481]

When I go to the gas station for example at 7 in the morning I put in a full tank of gas. Long story short by 12 in the afternoon I have a half tank of gas. I am not sure what is going on. Right now I only work part time so during the day I do my errands and look for full time work. I think the most I drive during the day is 30-35 miles.

When I quickly park my car and then move it to another spot for example I see a gasoline spot where my car was at.

My father thinks its a pin hole in the gas tank. Hopefully that's all there is. Because the mechanic can just seal it up. I checked out fueleconomy.gov and compared to my wife's 2003 Mazda Protege and according to the website I should be getting better gas mileage than she does.

Next Monday I have a appointment with a local mom and pop car mechanic. They will charge me $50 just to see what the problem is. If I get it repaired there they will take away the $50 fee.

Also one other thing this has only happened twice to me. When I am in a parking lot making a phone call. I don't like to talk on the phone when I am driving. My car dies. It starts vibrating a little and then it turns off by itself. Not sure what's wrong with it.

By the way I have recently put in new spark plugs. The spark plugs are only three months old. I am mechanically inclined but don't have the necessary equipment and tools to fix my own car and sometimes the time. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

[jcwit]

You can go to a local parts store or even WalMart and get epoxy gas tank repair kit to fix the leak, if you can see the leak by looking at the tank and it should be fairly obvious, usually towards the front of the tank near the lowest point, just follow the instructions and fix it. I've used this method a few times with excellant results. Shure beats the garage telling you, yup, you got a leak in the tank and another $100 bucks to fix it.

BTW the kits usually are under $10 bucks.

[12Ounce]

It sounds to me as if the fuel line filter may be the leak. If the filter has been changed out and the improper hose/tube clips were used ... or not used properly ... it would leak badly.

It needs to be tended too immediately ... whatever it is ... fire hazard. Good that you caught it before that happened.

[jcwit]

Is the leak towards the rear of the car= gas tank.

Leak near firewall=fuel filter.

[AzTumbleweed]

Originally Posted by jcwit

Is the leak towards the rear of the car= gas tank.

Leak near firewall=fuel filter.

I agree. Let us know where the spot is at under the car.