Fsher21

96 xj sport has a rubber line running from the tank to the filter, held on with hose clamps. the back of the fuel filter is rusty, and leaking. Clamp is tight, and i can wiggle the connection somewhat, without the filter itself moving.

Is my leak from a bad connection, or is the back of my filter rusting out?

It was leaking a drop every 5-10 seconds after I shut it off, and I have no idea how long my issue persisted. I was having coolant leak issues and was looking for those drips when I found the leak. I have noticed the fuel smell a couple times in the last week but didnt see anything on the ground, so it has been driven with no issues since then.

Can I drive it, should the hose be rubber, and if i decide to just replace it all, what would a new line and filter cost me?

Thanks!

ZINGGG

That hose and filter will cost you like 30-40 bucks together. I would suggest doing both since you are unsure but it sounds more like an issue with your filter. Cheap and easy to replace.

Fsher21

thanks. If i use the pressure release on my rail, will I have issues with pressure before the filter if im replacing the line going to the tank? I am really not familiar with fuel issues at all lol.

ZINGGG

Haha nah you'll be good. Also unscrew the gas cap. I just changed my fuel filter about a week ago. It's really simple. Just make sure to have some sort of drain pan or a lot of newspapers handy cause gas likes to go all over the place when you disconnect that line

Fsher21

I wonder if this is related to me having to fill up after 150 miles as opposed to my usual 170ish miles per the average 12 gallon fillup...haha

ZINGGG

Haha I'd definitely assume so. Cause if you're seeing drips right after you park, I guarantee it's dripping while you're in motion. And probably worse too. Plus a fresh fuel filter will make a small difference as well

Fsher21

what is the diameter of that rubber fuel line going from my tank to my filter? Can't seem to find it for the life of me.

89Laredo

Change the filter, and cut off about an inch of that rubber line, there should be enough extra. I did this on mine, the line had been stretched so much it wouldnt seal anymore...

Fsher21

The surface of the hose looks kind of rough and cracked, is it not worth the hassle to just replace it? I can access both ends easily and my only problem is finding out the diameter of it. What the hell is up with me and hoses/clamps failing on me only a day apart? lol

89Laredo

Buy the filter and take it to autozone with you, tell them you need a fuel line to fit that.
Im not sure how long the line is.

89Laredo

About your fuel tank size we talked about on the phone. I looked it up and it looks like 20 gal was the standard option, no other size. Makes me think youre leaking a bunch of fuel somewhere, or your sender is screwed up. I would carry 5 gal around and drive it till it dies. Dump the 5 gal in, take it to the gas station, and fill it up. If you know your MPG, subtract the amount of fuel you would of used to drive to the station. This will give you a pretty good idea of how much your tank holds.

Fsher21

Yeah there is no telling how long i was leaking fuel, only the last fill up I noticed I only got 150 miles as opposed to my usual 170-180 before the light comes on. The back of it was so rusted out, when I went to loosen the hose clamp the metal casing snapped leaving me a hole just smaller than a dime, and the metal still in my line lol. I the fuel that came out of the back end was a completely opaque rust color too.

I noticed a lot of lines are out of place and routed kind of odd by the tank, and the tank straps look like they we made to hold a bit more. I still think there is a chance someone mashed in a smaller tank and made it work unless that just isnt possible lol. I wont hurt anything if I run the damn thing out of gas trying to figure out out will i?

Also I am still leaking coolant, dripping from the corner it was before, but I cant tell where the source is. Maybe the very corner of the rad. Everything is covered in a thick layer of grime so i cant see what is fresh and what has been collecting for years.

89Laredo

It wont hurt anything.. Just runt he pump a couple times before you start it.
Someone might of put a smaller tank from another cherokee int there.