BenMT

Just filled up my jeep, got home and parked for an hour or so, went outside and gas is running out of the tank like crazy, coming from top of the tank somewhere and running down the front. Any ideas how to stop this? Cant drop the tank with it this full, but cant drive it this way either. Has probably leaked atleast a gallon or 2 in the past hour.
this is with the engine off
Thank you

LadyKenai

wow yes be careful with this, on my 88xj we had a gas leak as well from one day to another and it was the skid plate protecting the tank not being able to see how bad the gas tank was rusted out. perhaps your rubber seal that keeps the pump in has failed make sure its the tank not something else before pulling it.

marc

BenMT

Okay, so it definately seems to be coming from the threaded cap/ring on the top of the tank (i believe this is the sending unit?)
I tried using a hammer and flat screw-driver to tap that nut tighter as someone suggested on another thread, and i got it about half a turn tighter. The leak seems to be slowing down now, but not sure if because of tightening or just because the gas level in the tank is now below the leak...

LadyKenai

well still be careful you dont want to create a spark with hammering. to replace this seal you have to pull the pump out so you can put the new seal around it which is a bit of a pain cause that new seal is quite thick being a new one and is not easy to get the ring back on with the tank still on.

marc

edit: i used a hard piece of wood instead of a metal screwdriver

LadyKenai

the sending unit (floater) is one assembly with pump all together thats on my 88xj not sure on your 98.

marc

fb97xj1

The pump and sending unit are part of the same assembly. The tank has to come down as the assembly is mounted vertically for 97-01.

Basslicks

To get the gas out of the tank you can make a "jumper" out of a piece of wire and 2 spade terminals. Pull the fuel relay and put the ends of the wires in the correct locations in the relay socket and it will "hot wire" the fuel pump so you can pump enough gas out of it to drop the tank.

BenMT

Great info, thank you. The level is down below were it was leaking from now, and stopped so I'm going to try driving it today.
Can I replace just that seal without replacing the whole pump assembly? If so, where's the best place to get one?
Thanks again,
Ben

peep

can get a seal at Napa
have about three gas cans handy if you intend to pump the tank dry

LadyKenai

interesting info

good tip basslicks i never thought of that.

marc

Bugout4x4

I now have to do this with mine because I have about a quarter tank of fuel that went bad and need to get it out of there to make room for fresh. But I am running into a problem, what do I do with this? No one will take it, You can't burn it, You can't dump it on the ground, You can't flush it down the toilet, You don't want to run it in anything, and now it is a huge environmental issue to properly dispose of it but where? lol

LadyKenai

filter it a couple of times and pour it in your lawnmower :P

Bugout4x4

I thought about something similar and thought that maybe I could dilute it 50% and run it through my mobile air compressor. But... After having lacquered old fuel glue valves shut or make them stick open bending stuff in small motors I am now a bit cautious about trying. The valve springs just are not strong enough to keep them from sticking.

Basslicks

No prob man. Yeah, you can get a new lock ring and tank seal at most autoparts stores for less than 10 bucks. Just bought one for mine at Autozone for 3.99.

Hang on to it and degreasing parts. I keep mine in an old 5 quart motor oil jug. Comes in handy.