My Jeep Still Stinks

[FSJ Guy]

I still have the aroma of 85 Octane wafting through my passenger cabin. It's coming from the fuel sender area.

Any tips or tricks to sealing that big nut on top of the sender? I have the O-ring set in the groove in the tank and the nut is torqued down pretty snug, (I used channel lock pliers) but there is an obvious leak somewhere.

I have another tank to try, but other than just changing out tanks, there wouldn't be any other difference.

What has anyone else done to get their fuel sender to seal?

This is an 88 FSJ, BTW.

[ralf]

READ .UP ON CHARCOAL FILTERS ON THIS SITE

[backroadin']

I'd check all the vent lines too.
Is it wet around the sender when the tank is full? I wouldn't think there's a leak if it isn't wet.

[Gambler68]

do later wags have the tip over anti spill thingy in the rear fender?

Or strip out the carpet and durabak the rear cargo area..that'll seal it up. Unless it's drifting in from under the tailgate from road vacuum.

[2ToneBluJ10]

I found a Viton O-ring that was the same size as the original to use when I replaced my tank and the original o-ring leaked, but my sending unit is on the front side of the tank. Are your rollover/return check valves and the groments ok, I've heard of them leaking.

[jsinajeep]

I would check for a crack around that area of the tank also.

[FSJ Guy]

Check valves AND the grommets are new from BJ's within the past year or two. The vent lines were replaced at that time, too.

The charcoal canister is actually hooked up. It's original, though. But that wouldn't cause a fuel smell around the sender area, would it?

It's not obviously wet around the sender, but it's not perfectly dry, either. It's leaking SOMEWHERE around the sender area for sure.

Jerry, you might be right about a crack. Maybe swapping tanks isn't a bad idea after all...

[mdill]

do later wags have the tip over anti spill thingy in the rear fender?

Or strip out the carpet and durabak the rear cargo area..that'll seal it up. Unless it's drifting in from under the tailgate from road vacuum.

No the roll over check valves are held into the tank by grommets (which do go bad) there is no rubber fuel lines in side the cab area after 79(?)

Pop the sender man hole cover, go fill the truck up (way up) get a mirror and a flashlight and look at the vent holes, vent lines all a round.

Mike D.

[FSJ Guy]

Pop the sender man hole cover, go fill the truck up (way up) get a mirror and a flashlight and look at the vent holes, vent lines all a round.

Mike D.

My batteries in my flashlight are dead. Can I use a match instead? :D

[FSJ Guy]

I replaced the tank with a spare one I had today. I swapped over my newer check valves and grommets, however.

It's actually rather cool right now, so I don't know if it helped any.... But there are no visible leaks.

I installed the fuel pump (I have and in-tank for the TBI) and a new filter sock on it and tightened up the big locknut BEFORE I put the tank back in. This way I was able to really tighten it down.

[andy d]

I use Permatex #2 gasket sealer for jobs like this.

[FSJ Guy]

I was able to drive it today. The ambient temp got up to around 60F or so. Not too warm. I didn't get an overwhelming smell inside with the windows up. But when I got out, I did notice it a bit. :-(

Maybe it's time for the Suburban gas tank conversion after all....