This is on my 2001 Ford F250 V10 short bed.


About a month a go I filled up and everything was fine. Later on when truck was parked I noticed a slight gas smell. I started to sniff around and kind of have it narrowed down to be coming from in between the cab and bed of the truck. I use my truck very little of late. I might not notice any smell by walking by, but if I take it for a drive and then park it for a short time I will smell it for a time. It is never a real strong smell.


I am thinking the fuel hoses are starting to go bad. I have a $200 credit at my local dealer. I was thinking of calling them for an estimate.


Question is How hard is it to pull the gas tank? It is close to being empty. Or am I better off pulling the bed off instead

 

Have you crawled under and taken a look? Could be the line from your fuel filter?

 

<p>I would start with the evaporative control stuff first.</p>

 

Hello been awhile, busy winter.


I now have some time and need to get this done soon. I am trying to figure out the fuel filler hose size and the other hoses sizes. I want to order or buy everything I might need before I pull the gas tank. I was on Rock auto site but could not find any hoses. On a warm day I can still smell a slight gas smell, but can not figure exactly where it is at.


Also since my tank is out should I replace the fuel pump? I have 99,000 miles. I was always told "if it isn't broke, don't fix it." If I do replace it, what is a good replacement?


Anything else I should look at or replace while tank is out?


Thanks

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it - leave it be. If anything, make sure the wiring is in good condition.

The fuel pump assembly is held in with what looks like a big mason-jar ring. Unscrew it, it all comes right out. (some industrious small animal chewed through the ring on my tank, so I had to change it).

Can't help with the rest of the stuff. I didn't measure anything when I dropped the tank

 

Why are you removing the gas tank? If all you want to do is find the "slight gas smell" it seems to me that correctly troubleshooting the fuel system would be a lot less work and probably less expensive. Start by crawling under it and using your nose. Tighten up any hose clamps, check the condition of the vent tubes coming off the tank, etc. It could be as simple as turning a screw to tighten a hose clamp, or a hose could be mouse'd.
But if you have made up your mind to drop the tank, you certainly could change the fuel pump while it is out if you just feel like doing the work and spending the money. You could swap out just the pump and sock, the pump warranty is void if you don't also use a new sock with the new pump. That would be a lot cheaper than the whole pump/float/sender assembly. But there again, it's your money. Motorcraft parts seem to work great.

 

If you're going to replace the pump, I would go with Motorcraft. As far as hoses give Horizon Ford a call with your VIN number and order through the website. Otherwise try out Autonation white bear lake.

 

Ok last fall I noticed the slight fuel smell. I topped up my tank, went for a ride. Then crawled underneath it. I tried to feel around all I could reach and smell around and could not find anything wet. I just get the smell coming between the cab and bed. I have a hard time trying to reach everything above the tank. All winter with it being cold out I have not smelled anything, then over a week ago we had one nice warm day and the smell is back. I would love to be able to figure it out without pulling the tank, but I can't reach things to tighten or feel around with the tank in place.


Looking for hoses I do see there is a Vapor Valve on top of the tank. Does anyone know how that works? Does it open when it is warm out and to release tank pressure? I have never had an issue with a lot of pressure when removing the gas cap. And yes I have opened the gas door and sniffed around it. I can only smell it around the bed and cab.


I do appreciate everyone's comments so far. I have a month off work right now until my summer construction job starts up, then I will not have anymore time to work on this.

 

I would still plan to check the easiest to get to and cheapest stuff first. Dropping the tank isn't all that hard, but there are several things I would want to check first.

Is it a stock gas cap? Sometimes the aftermarket locking caps do not vent correctly.

Also, it seems like there should be an inline fuel filter between the tank and the engine somewhere in the general area of the bed to cab crack. That could be a possible leak source.

As far as the specific function of the vapor valve and related system, I do not know the exact specifics, but generally there is a vapor valve on the tank that releases pressure from the tank through a tube into a charcoal canister filter to clean it and release it into the ambient air or else it will route the vapor into the intake stream somewhere to be burned.

Air has to move 2 ways into and out of a fuel tank. Out when the temperature heats up and pressure builds. Then air back in as fuel is used and a void is created in the tank, otherwise the tank would collapse from the suction. Our USA emissions laws have seen to it to require there to effectively be no discernible fuel smell once the gas cap is closed so there is obviously a breach in that system somewhere.

Hopefully someone else will know more about the specifics to point you directly to the suspect component, assuming all the connections are tight and hoses are in good condition. But for trucks of a certain age, it is time to consider replacing any rubber hoses.

 

Thanks, Sam I Am. I do have a new filter to install. as soon as the weather cooperates I will change it and inspect that area. I figure with my truck now close to 16 years old It would be a good thing to start replacing the rubber parts.


I have not had any luck in finding the rubber hoses on the internet. So I am going to check with my local parts places to see what they have available to make my own. I know years ago I went to a large equipment parts house and bought hydraulic hoses.


I just want to make sure once I pull the tank I can get everything back together as fast as possible. And not wait around for something to come in.