Gasoline smell, loss of fuel parked

[JExpedition07]

I parked the truck at 5:30 PM, I just walked out to it and smelled a rather strong gasoline smell. Lost a noticeable amount on the gas gauge as well. Drove it home but it’s dark and cold. Any common fittings to look for or any common failure points when parked?

 

[JExpedition07]

Deleted

 

[762mm]

My bet, since your is a 2007 : rusted through fuel line or fuel filter connections (or the filter itself).

I had that happen once in an old Pontiac... pressurized fuel was shooting out from underneath the car every time I gave it gas, because the fuel line busted in one spot due to rust. Other drivers were panicking and honking at me, lol... fun times!

If it's the fuel line, go and buy some fuelproof automotive rubber hose with a 1/4" inner diameter (just an educated guess) and four stainless screw down clamps. Cut away the bad section of fuel line with a small metal hand saw and slip the hose on at both ends of good fuel line, leaving about 4-5" of extra hose on each end. Secure rubber hose to the fuel line with 2 screw down clamps on each end.

Problem fixed and the total cost will be about $10. Dealer cost will add two zeros at the end of that (new fuel line, parts & labor).


Images found via google on F150 forums:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/articles-how-s/421638-how-fix-damaged-fuel-line.html

 

[JExpedition07]

So I found the leak, it’s leaking out of the the fuel filter. Here is my confusion, there is NO rust....why is it leaking there? Should I replace with a new line because isn’t the fuel filter just a flange? Just go after filter for now?

 

[JExpedition07]

 

[Boostedbus]

It could be corrosion between the filter and the black cradle. It looks like a good place for salt/water to gather.

 

[bobmbx]

Rust is not required for it to leak.

 

[762mm]

I say the gasket inside the filter went bad. You need a new fuel filter and, if available, those plastic tabs that secure it in place.

It's too bad you are far away, I have a spare filter that I bought for my 2014, as per what Rockauto claims... I only learned that 2009+ models don't have an external fuel filter when I tried to install it, lol. Luckily, they are cheap.

How long was the old filter in there? They recommend to change them every 30k miles or so. Also, some reviewers of aftermarket filters for the F150/Expedition were complaining that they had leaks from theirs... so replace it with a Motorcraft unit, preferably.

Edit : I see the old one is a Motorcraft. Is it original to the truck?

 

[JExpedition07]

Update gas leak is fixed, there was however no corrosion anywhere on the fuel filter. I suspect @762mm is correct in that it had an internal failure. Either that or the little weld joints failed where it goes to the lines. When running it was actually streaming gas on the ground. Dry as a bone now.

 

[sjwelds]

Kind of a pain to change eh? Remember struggling with my 08.

Maybe it's not as bad on the EL's. Mine was a shorty.