Gas leak!!!

[jleland]

I have gas pouring out of my gas tank or a fuel line, not sure though. On my way to work, I made my usual stop for a newspaper and when I came out, gas was pouring out on the ground. I lost about a quarter tank driving 2 miles! The funny thing is that it stops when I shut off the motor. We had our first hard freeze last night and thought maybe one of the rubber hoses had froze and split or something along those lines. I need to figure this out because right now this is our only vehicle......the wife's car is in the shop.

 

[TLCJ5]

The fact that the leak stops leads me to think it's leaking from the line...the in tank fuel pump stops when you turn off the engine...the only way to find it is to get under & check for the "wet spot" I trace it to where it's leaking. Good luck!

 

[jps4jeep]

If this is a 91 YJ, your fuel tank should be plastic, bad supply line maybe, but sine it is running fine, most likey a bad return line. the hard lines on jeeps are not the best, and they rot bad.

 

[frasertri]

Check the fuel filter! It's a steel body on the YJ, and they corrode. I just sold my '92 YJ and the buyer disccovered that flaw, and replacing the filter fixed it. Makes sense in that it only leaks while running. Mine smelled of gas every time I stopped, but it would quickly evaporate and not reappear until runnung it again.
Good luck!

 

[Saddle Tramp]

I’ve owned several Wranglers that had this problem. Is the gas leaking on the driver’s side between the tank and the rear wheel? (In that area anyway) If so the clamps on the gas lies at the top of the tank may have come loose. It’s hard to see but get your head up there as far as you can then find and tighten the clamps.

 

[jleland]

Well when I drove home today, I didn't leak a drop! Saddle Tramp I think you may have the solution.....it seems like it does come from the top of the tank. Thanks guys, hopefully I can fix it.

 

[jfrabat]

The seal on the sending unit (on top of the tank) had a recall... Could be leaking from there when the fuel splashes around, so check that. Also, the engine typically pressurizes the tank, so it can be a bad return line (if it was the filter or the supply line, the Jeep would probably sputter under load, but check them anyway), or the fuel fill lines (they tend to crack; common issue in YJ's). Also check that the bands holding the supply and return line are tight (same for the fuel fill lines). Another possible culprit could be the fuel cap...

I have a leak problem as well, and have been chasing it down, but so far I have not been able to located or replicated while the tank is down.