850 Turbo wagon 1996 Massive gas leak

pt850 · Post by **pt850** » 08 Dec 2008, 10:26

First, thanks to the posters who directed me last week to the odometer fix thread. I haven't yet addressed that, and another more urgent issue has arisen. When filling the gas tank, if I allow the gas to flow until it automatically shuts off, I get a huge leakage of gas on the pavement. If I add gas without letting it fill completely, it does not leak, suggesting that I have a leak in the tube leading from the filler cap to the gas tank.
Is this a common problem? Is there something I can look for before heading to a repair shop?
Many thanks.
pt850

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 08 Dec 2008, 11:11

You'll have to crawl under there and check the filler hose from the neck to the tank. I can't say if its common but I don't recall seeing any threads to that regard.

summit3000 · Post by **summit3000** » 09 Dec 2008, 14:08

I had this issue. What it ended up being was the sender pump was not screwed on completely (cross threaded) and so it leaked out that. When you look at it you should be able to tell where the fuel is leaking from and that should help in tracking it.

Delboy3867 · Post by **Delboy3867** » 09 Dec 2008, 14:30

I had the same issue and yes, like the earlier poster, my fuel pump had been poorly seated after an earlier replacement. Worse yet, on a full tank there was a strong petrol smell in the passenger compartment. After removing and re-seating the pump, the issue vanished. The threads appear to be quite fine and prone to cross-threading.

pt850 · Post by **pt850** » 17 Dec 2008, 15:54

Thanks Summit and Delboy for the info. I'm pretty sure you've hit the right answer, as I had my fuel pump (insert) replaced only a couple of months ago. I will give it a shot. Do I remember correctly that there is a gasket under the fuel pump retaining ring? Do you recommend replacing this gasket when reseating the pump? I don't think the indie mechanic who replaced the insert replaced any gaskets (which may be why it is leaking!) Again, thanks.

Delboy3867 · Post by **Delboy3867** » 07 Feb 2009, 10:23

My gasket wasn't so badly shaped when I re-seated the pump so I just re-used it and it's holding fine. As with most gaskets, I would recommend replacement if you've got the thing apart and have access to a new one for sure.

pt850 · Post by **pt850** » 16 Feb 2009, 10:28

So, I took the car back to the shop that had replaced the fuel pump insert. They replaced the gasket & reseated the cap, and I drove to a nearby gas station. Filled it to the brim and -- no more leak. Thanks, guys!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Feb 2009, 14:21

It's always nice to read of a happy ending- now, on to the odometer gear!