When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just found the Fuel Tank Vent that is on the top of the fuel tank on the drivers side is leaking fuel out of one of the lines. I want to fix it myself by replacing the lines, but I do not know if there is anything I have to do before removing them?
I just found the Fuel Tank Vent that is on the top of the fuel tank on the drivers side is leaking fuel out of one of the lines. I want to fix it myself by replacing the lines, but I do not know if there is anything I have to do before removing them?
It helps to have teensy-tiny hands..................
Hi EJ,
If you're asking about the vapor separator on the upper left side of the tank the only fuel that you should need to deal with is what may be trapped in the plastic separator and the return line to the tank.
I'd be prepared with a container to immediately put the end of the hose in to drain the fuel that may be present, and then have access to a bunch of rags to catch what ever fuel leaks out of the hoses while you change them.
It's possible there may be some fuel in the hard line to the vapor canister but's that would only be the case if the canister isn't working properly because it's not connected to the engine correctly.
The separator is easy to test… first it shouldn't be cracked which will allow it to leak and when you shake it you should hear the 'ball' rattle that is actually part of the valve.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
From the vantage i can get under the car, that is what I am looking at. But for some reason mine is mounted to the back of the tank, from laying under the drivers side rear bumper and looking up I can see it and the fuel lines.
Hi EJ,
What year car?
If it's the 71 in your profile it sounds like there's been some sort of modification done.
The 71 was the first year for the vapor canister, and for the separator mounted on the side of the tank.
Regards,
Alan
More often than not, it is the FUEL SEPARATOR VALVE that is actually leaking. If it does happen to be the hose, be very careful separating the hose from the valve. They become quite fragile with age and crack easily.
The good news is that until recently, if you had a leaking/cracked valve your only option was to find a "better" used one, or to bypass the valve. I saw old used ones selling at Carlisle a few years back for as much as $75 a piece. Many of the Forum venders now carry new ones, although not as cheap as you might expect they should sell for.
I have found the easiest way to replace the hoses is to remove them from the fitting on the tank and the metal line on top of the frame that goes forward to the vapor canister. Then unbolt the valve from the tank and remove the whole thing to your work bench. Measure and cut the length of the hoses you need and then carefully remove the old ones from the valve. Reinstall the new hoses on the valve and then reattach it to the bracket on the fuel tank. Finally reattach the hoses to the tank and the fuel line. Don't assume that the valve is not leaking, and examine it carefully before you reinstall the original back in the car, or you may shortly be doing the job all over again.
I did find that it is the valve that is leaking, I think it has a crack running the length of the bottom of the valve. I have a new one on order to replace it.
I did find that spot where the line goes into the tank has a tendency to leak fuel when left disconnected so I made a temporary plug to keep the fuel from dripping on me while I'm working on it.
Fuel Line Replacements
