Fuel tank question

[228jeeper]

I have a 20 gallon tank, and the fuel guage does not work. I put gas in yesterday, probably coming close to filling it slap full. This morning there is what seems to be a small leak coming from one of the holes that are in the skid plate. Could I have filled the tank too much and some how some gas could have leaked between the tank and the skid plate? I can not find any obvious leaks in the filler hose or vent hose. You can smell gas a bit when you go to the back of the jeep. I have had the jeep (86 CJ7 ) about two weeks and this is the first time I have smelled gas, and also the first time I have filled it up. Could I have over filled it? Thanks for the help.

 

[228jeeper]

After looking at it a little closer, I do not have a skid plate but what seems to be a cover over the entire gas tank that is not a part of the gas tank but rather bolts on the the jeep after the tank is attached. This civer has some holes in it that look like they are pre made, not holes that have been worn in. When you shake the jeep a bit, gas comes from the hole in the middle, not very much but enough to see and smell it. Like I said in my earlier post, I have had the jeep for a couple of weeks and have not seen or smelled gas until I filled it up. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Old Dog]

The only place I can think of it leaking would be the seal where the sending unit fits in the tank. unless of course the tank itself is leaking at the top.

 

[Scotty]

On the 20 gallon tank you have the sending unit hole then you have two pressure releaf valves that are spring loaded. They let pressure in the tank blow off. The sending unit has an "O" ring gasket that seats into a groove on the tank.If you did not get a good seal on the O ring it may let a bit of gas leakout when filled to the gills. The two pressure vents are tied togother by a fuel line and return to the charcoal canaster. I just replaced everything on my tank and the only place I can see gas leaking is from the sending unit o ring.. Just my 2 cents but I would run it a few miles and get the gas down in the tank and see if it still drips.. If it does not drip and your smell fades id say its somewhere on the top of your tank.

 

[Rollbar]

Could be the gasket or a crack in the tank. Next fill up, don't top off that much and see if the leak is lower. Also, if you are going to drop it and replace the sender/"O" ring, put some grease on the "O" ring to keep it from tearing upon tightening.

 

[228jeeper]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Like I needed an extra excuse to take it for a ride. I will run it some in the next couple of days and respond back as to what happened. Thanks again.