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.

 

[aagitch]

if it was an internal problem, would it have leaked externally? My bet is it had a crack somewhere

 

[bobmbx]

Probably ran his fuel tank below 1/4 tank too many times. All that hot fuel destroyed the seals.

 

[762mm]

Probably ran his fuel tank below 1/4 tank too many times. All that hot fuel destroyed the seals.

OOooooo! We gots us one of them car xperts right here, boyz! He knows about the 1/4 tank rule!

I gots one better, tho... how about a buggered up filter seal from heavy use of ethanol fuel? E85, anyone?


(you can look up what ethanol does to rubber seals long-term)

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/glo...lem-with-ethanol-in-gasoline/article29103634/

 

[JExpedition07]

Well guys not sure what I screwed up but I did do something wrong. I replaced the filter and ran it and there was no more leak.....I made sure all the lines were clicked on nice and tight. Driving on the highway just now I suddenly started to smell fuel suddenly and then the engine RPM lowered to 500 and lost all power and then the engine died out and the oil pressure light came on. It will not restart. I’m thinking it either lost fuel prime or a line magically popped off. Waiting for flatbed.....

 

[Plati]

Pushing gas out when running … and cant tell where its coming from?

 

[JExpedition07]

Pushing gas out when running … and cant tell where its coming from?

Not very helpful

 

[JExpedition07]

Well guys we found it already, jumbled the plastic connector in the top line (which fell off) and the plastic locking tab fell right out in pieces. It was cracked although it looked ok in there. Now going to tow it home and I have to figure out whether I need the locking tab or a new line.

 

[JExpedition07]

Update *FIXED AGAIN* lol, let’s hope it stays that way with 2 new plastic locking tabs. I feel so stupid right now. Anyway ALWAYS double check the condition of your fuel line plastic lock tabs...

 

[Plati]

Not very helpful

I was just suggesting to other readers the importance of diagnosis.
Parts swapping is risky. If gas is pouring out you should be able to dry it up, start the engine and see where its coming from. From your description it sounds (I dunno) like the fuel line connector was faulty, not the filter. I've had both the line connector and the filter itself leak on my 2003 and had to be replaced to fix (different events). I was able to diagnose and fix in one shot each time. Not bragging, just a proponent of diagnosis. The Scientific Method. This Forum is about learning things. YMMV

Another diagnosis idea you shared (from tow truck driver) would be to wiggle the fuel line connector with it running and see if that has any effect. Not honk on it , just a little wiggle. I've used that before with wiring connectors. Free tools (your hands & brain).

Fair enough?

 

[JExpedition07]

I was just suggesting to other readers the importance of diagnosis.
Parts swapping is risky. If gas is pouring out you should be able to dry it up, start the engine and see where its coming from. From your description it sounds (I dunno) like the fuel line connector was faulty, not the filter. I've had both the line connector and the filter itself leak on my 2003 and had to be replaced to fix (different events). I was able to diagnose and fix in one shot each time. Not bragging, just a proponent of diagnosis. The Scientific Method. This Forum is about learning things. YMMV

Another diagnosis idea you shared (from tow truck driver) would be to wiggle the fuel line connector with it running and see if that has any effect. Not honk on it , just a little wiggle. I've used that before with wiring connectors. Free tools (your hands & brain).

Fair enough?

Good point. The first leak was the filter, the 2nd leak was caused by me. I cracked the lock tab putting it back together although I didn’t know until today. I should have replaced them to begin with since they felt brittle and I suggest this to anyone changing the filter now. After replacing the filter I ran the engine and drove once and double checked—no leaks. Today it vibrated off because of the failed lock tab and had a BIG leak. Ran to parts store and bought new lock tabs and replaced both. Fixed again for now lol.