'97 Rear Diesel Tank Leaking - Straps rubbing through?
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'97 Rear Diesel Tank Leaking - Straps rubbing through?
I only use my 1997 F350 Dually when I'm pulling a horse trailer (maybe 5,000 miles per year). I noticed a leak on the ground in the general area of the rearend. I initially thought it was gear oil, upon further checking it is dripping from the rear fuel tank between the two steel straps. After I lowered the spare tire, I saw several areas where it looks like diesel fuel is attacking the rubber between the tank & metal straps that hold the tank in place. The spare tire has several places where it has dripped on it as well. I used a mirror and I don't see any leaks on the top of the tank and I haven't taken the time to empty the tank and removed either of the straps.
Has anyone seen anything like this? Where is the leak and what is the best way to fix it?
Has anyone seen anything like this? Where is the leak and what is the best way to fix it?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
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From: MICHIGAN
Yep, It's pretty common for that to happen the straps hold moisture and rust out. if you travel a lot of gravel roads the rocks and crap get trapped next to the tank and rub through. Check you front tank too. The skid plates hold a lot of road debris. Replacement, like wreckit says, is the only way to go.
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Thanks for the replies, so how difficult is it to change the tank. Looking at it, I'm guessing you disconnect the fuel lines at the rubber to steel connections near the frame, then drop the tank straight down? Or is there enough slack in the rubber lines to drop it without disconnection them?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Olympia USA
Run the fuel down. Get a 2x6, a parir of jackstands and a floor jack. Place the jackstands and the floor jack in a straight line. Set the jackstands about 6" lower than the tank. Raise the floor jack until the 2x6 is against the tank. Release the straps. Slowly lower tank untril the jackstands catch the load. Disconnect the fuel line and the gauge wire. Make sure to have a catch pan or can for any residual fuel flow back from the fuel switch. Then raise teh tank enought to remobe the jackstands and lower to the ground.
Good luck with it. And be careful.
Bob
Good luck with it. And be careful.
Bob
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Joined: May 2007
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I had that problem about a year ago with my 96 F 250 4X4. Fuel was running out of the corner of rear skid plate... I ran fuel down to almost empty and then stuck a pan under it until it stoped dripping. seems if I recall the skid plate held my tank in place,,,,,no straps..
I found a hole that was rubbed through by a piece of metal shaving between plate and tank, probably from assembly...?? Anyway I tilted tank (stop fuel drip)and cleaned and dried the area and used marine epoxy to seal it. Then glued a piece of rubber over it to protect it...and put it back together
Still no leaky to this day...
I found a hole that was rubbed through by a piece of metal shaving between plate and tank, probably from assembly...?? Anyway I tilted tank (stop fuel drip)and cleaned and dried the area and used marine epoxy to seal it. Then glued a piece of rubber over it to protect it...and put it back together
Still no leaky to this day...
