What are the reasons behind the leaking of my car’s fuel tank?
By
Vroomouk
This article will explain the “my car fuel tank is leaking” problem. To explain the issue of a leaking tank, we will provide a brief description of the various symptoms of a leaking car tank. In addition, we will also explain the various causes of a leaking fuel tank.
A leaking fuel tank can be hazardous because Gasoline is highly combustible and volatile. Therefore, there are high chances that the leaking Gasoline from the tank evaporates and catches fire. Generally, a gasoline leak occurs when the fuel distribution system is damaged and Gasoline escapes from the system.
Therefore the driver and the passengers in the car should be extremely vigilant about the leaking of the fuel tank. In addition, a person should be aware of the different symptoms of a leaking fuel tank. Some of the symptoms of the leaking fuel tank are mentioned below.
What are the reasons behind the leaking of my car’s fuel tank?
The reason behind the car fuel tank is leaking are as follows:-
- Gas lines or hoses are leaking.
- Faulty Rubber seal
- Damaged Gas Cap
- Damage in the Gas tank
Symptoms of a leaking fuel tank
There are primarily three symptoms of a leaking fuel tank, and they are mentioned below.
The smell of Gasoline when driving.
One of the easiest ways to figure out that there is a leak in the car’s fuel tank is by detecting the smell of the fuel which is leaking from the tank. However, a person might also be misguided by using this approach because sometimes the Gasoline can be smelled even when there is no leak in the fuel tank or the fuel line.
Therefore, to implement the technique properly, you need to be careful. A symptom of a leak in the tank is the constantly increasing smell of the fluid. Thus, if the fuel tank is leaking in your vehicle, you will be able to smell the fragrance of the fuel constantly for a long period.
Large drops in the fuel gauge.
Every vehicle has a fuel gauge that shows the fuel available in the fuel tank. The fuel gauge might be digital or mechanical, but it is always correct the fuel reading it shows. Therefore, identifying the leak in the tank will become easy if a person notices the downfall in the fuel level.
If the fuel level in the tank falls sharply in a quick interval of time, then there is a leak in the fuel tank or the fuel line. Moreover, if the fuel level is constantly dropping even when the car is stationary, then it is a clear sign that the fuel tank is damaged, causing the fuel to leak.
Fuel puddle below the car.
Another way to identify the gasoline leak is by noticing a fuel puddle beneath the car. The fuel tank is generally present below the rear seat of the vehicle. Thus, if you are doubtful about the integrity of the fuel tank, then you can perform this technique.
If the tank is empty, get the tank filled with fuel and leave the car stationary. If you see a fuel puddle formation beneath the car, then it is a clear indication that the vehicle’s fuel tank is leaking.
Causes of the Gas leak
Gas lines or hoses are leaking.
One of the common causes of the fuel leak from a vehicle is a puncture in the hoses or the gas lines in the vehicle. The hose carrying the fuel to the engine is cut, and thus the fuel starts to leak from it.
Faulty Rubber seal
The rubber seal is also known as the O-ring. The primary purpose of the O-ring is to prevent the oil from entering the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, the O-ring is exposed to plenty of heat and brittle after extensive use. Thus the brittle nature of the O-ring can cause the fuel to leak.
Damaged Gas Cap
The gas cap in a vehicle prevents the fuel from coming out. Thus it keeps the fuel from escaping into the atmosphere and evaporating to form fumes. Thus if the gas cap is damaged, the fuel leak happens, and the fuel gets evaporated into the atmosphere.
Damage in the Gas tank
The other reason behind the leaking of the fuel from the tank is the damage to the body of the fuel tank. The fuel tank is accessible from the underbody of the car; thus, there are high chances that the tank body gets damaged due to an object striking the tank’s surface. Therefore the striking of an object will create a crack on the tank, and hence the fuel starts to leak from the tank.
Conclusion
In this article, we have successfully addressed the “my car fuel tank is leaking” problem. To explain the problem of leaking tanks straightforwardly, we have explained the different symptoms and causes of a fuel tank leak.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): my car fuel tank is leaking
What causes a fuel tank to leak?
The most common cause behind the leaking fuel tank is the damage of fuel lines and their fittings in modern vehicles. The damage caused in the fuel line is due to normal wear and tear.
How do I stop the fuel tank from leaking?
For fixing the fuel tank from leaking, you need to completely evacuate the tank and take the tank for welding or get the tank fixed with the help of epoxy. However, if the tank is plastic, you need to replace the tank.
Can you drive the vehicle with a leaking tank?
It’s not safe to drive your car with a leaking tank because Gasoline is highly flammable, and thus if it gets evaporated into the atmosphere, there are high chances that the fuel will burn and develop a fire.
Can you seal the gas tank leak?
You need to apply a sealer over the large area to seal the leaking gas tank. Focus on using sealer in large quantities because if the sealer is used in less quantity, then there are chances that the tank will start to leak again.
References
- https://vehiclefreak.com/why-is-gas-leaking-from-the-bottom-of-my-car/
