Fuel Leaking From Your Car: Common Causes and Fixes

Fuel leaking from your car can spell trouble in many ways. It can lead to increased gasoline bills and put you at risk of a fire disaster. This article provides you with accurate insight into the causes of fuel leaks and the step-by-step procedure for fixing them, so continue reading!

Why Is Your Car’s Fuel Leaking?

Your car’s fuel is leaking because one or more components involved in the storage and supply of fuel to your car engine are damaged or faulty. The problem can arise from various causes, including a damaged petrol tank, bad O-rings, bad/damaged hoses/lines, or even a bad carburetor.

Your car might also smell of gasoline because there are leaks in one or more parts. The culprits include a loose gas cap, damaged tank, loose hose, or bad seal. You won’t always find a puddle of petrol below your car because escaped fumes alone can still cause your car to smell.

– Damaged/Worn-out Fuel Tank

A damaged fuel tank can cause gasoline leaks in your car. Gasoline tanks are the containers that store gasoline in your car every time you refill before it’s sent to the engine for combustion. Over time, these tanks get corroded, and when they do, cracks and holes may develop and cause leakage. The sudden impact from driving on rough terrain or during accidents can also damage your gasoline tank.

One way you can easily tell if your tank is leaking is to check underneath your car for puddles. If you notice a puddle just below where your tank is mounted, it means there is a tank leak. Another sign of a leaking tank is excessive consumption of gasoline. If your fuel gauge goes low too quickly, you should check your tank for leaks.

– Leaky or Loose Fuel Lines

A leaky or loose fuel line can also be responsible for gas dripping out of your car. These lines or hoses transport gasoline from the tank to the engine, where combustion occurs. These hoses can get punctured or cut, causing leakage. Also, if they are not fitted properly, gas can escape/drain out.

Gasoline lines/hoses are designed to last many years without problems, depending on how well you handle your car. Usually, a damaged gasoline line will show symptoms like misfiring, hard starting, or gasoline dripping from under the car. Sometimes, you may also smell gas inside your car while driving. If you suspect your hoses are damaged or loose, try to locate the affected lines/hoses and fix them, or take your car to a mechanic.

– Gas Cap Problems

Your car gasoline may leak if there are any problems with your gas cap. The gas cap is the cover at the mouth of the gas tank that prevents the gasoline from spilling out and stops fumes from escaping. It also prevents dust and debris from contaminating the gasoline.

Gas caps wear out over time and become loose, allowing gasoline fumes to escape. A severely damaged cap will even allow for gasoline leakage. It’s a good maintenance practice to check and change your car’s gas cap occasionally.

– Excessive Jostling and Vibrations

Excessive jostling and vibrations can cause gasoline leakage in your car. This happens because of the way several components are fitted together in a car. When driving on rough terrain, these connected parts and components get rattled, and some may become loose or even damaged. If any component of your car’s gasoline transporting system (hoses, caps, etc.) gets loose or broken, gas will seep out.

Since most of the gas/oil-carrying components are located in the undercarriage of a vehicle, it is advisable to drive very carefully on rough terrain, especially when your car is low to the ground (small ground clearance).

– Ruined Fuel Regulator/Injector Seals

Bad/ruined fuel injector/regulator seals can also cause gas leaks in your car. The seals inside injectors/regulators can get worn out or broken over time and won’t be able to keep gasoline from draining out of them. Rather, gasoline will leak out into the engine’s intake manifold.

– Worn-out O-ring or Rubber Seal

A worn-out rubber seal (also called O-ring) is another common cause of leaking gasoline in vehicles. O-rings are responsible for properly sealing components like gas caps and fuel injectors. These seals are usually exposed to severe heat and wear due to their positions or the places where they are mounted. Over time, they become brittle, worn out, or may even break, causing the seepage of gasoline.

Gasoline leaks that are caused by broken seals are very risky because they can easily cause a fire outbreak. As gas drips from the damaged ring areas, it can land on a hot exhaust pipe on its way down, and a fire may break out. Broken seals can also result in the contamination of gasoline with dust and debris. It’s good maintenance practice to check for broken seals in your car occasionally and replace them if needed.

– Bad/Failing Carburetor

A bad/failing carburetor can also cause gasoline to drip from your car. The carburetor’s role is to mix air and gasoline together to create a unique mixture for powering your car engine. If a carburetor is damaged, it will cause gasoline to leak into the engine.

In some cases, the carburetor may not be damaged but merely clogged. However, it will still result in fuel leaking.

– Corroded/Cracked Exhaust Manifold

A corroded or cracked exhaust manifold can also cause gasoline to seep out of your car. The exhaust manifold is responsible for collecting the exhaust gases (CO2, water vapor, etc.) from the engine and guiding them out of the car through the exhaust pipe. If the manifold is cracked, these gases will not be sent out but will leak into your car engine instead.

You can confirm that you have a cracked exhaust manifold if there seems to be a burning engine smell inside your car or if you hear whistling or hissing sounds.

– Bad/Leaking Gasoline Pump

A bad/leaking gasoline pump is another major cause of gasoline leaks. The gas pump is the component responsible for pumping gasoline from the tank into the engine. If the pump is bad, it can cause gasoline to leak into the engine.

Bad gas pumps can arise from contaminants (dirt and debris) or wear and tear. It’s advised that you check your fuel pumps from time to time, as they are one of the most vulnerable components of a car.

– Damaged/Malfunctioning Oxygen Sensor

A damaged or malfunctioning oxygen sensor can also be responsible for gasoline leaking problems. The role of the oxygen sensor in a car is to monitor the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gasses, to ensure that the air-gasoline ratio is maintained.

If your car’s oxygen sensor is damaged, your engine will burn with an improper oxygen-gasoline ratio, and excess gas will enter your engine. This excess gas will seep out of your engine later on.

– Bad/Faulty Catalytic Converter

A bad/faulty catalytic converter can also cause gas to seep out of your vehicle. The catalytic converter converts any toxic gas (such as carbon monoxide and nitric oxide) inside the exhaust into less harmful gases before sending them out. If the converter is damaged, it will leak these harmful gases into the air.

A faulty or damaged catalytic converter can be fatal and should be taken to a car mechanic for fixing as soon as it is discovered.

– Bad/Faulty Intake Manifold

A bad/faulty intake manifold can equally be responsible for gasoline leaking problems in a car. The intake manifold is the car component that draws air into the engine, mixes it with gasoline, and supplies the mixture to the engine cylinders. If the intake manifold is damaged, gasoline can leak into the engine.

What Should You Do if Your Vehicle Is Leaking Fuel?

If your vehicle is leaking fuel, you need to locate the damaged or faulty component and fix or replace it. Fixing this problem begins with lifting your car with a jack, locating the source of the leakage, wiping the surface clean, and draining the gas.

– Lift Your Vehicle Using the Car Jack

To find out where your gas is leaking from, you must first lift the car to access the underside of the vehicle. You can lift it using a car jack. If you don’t have a car jack, you can use a four-post or two-post car lift. Remember that you only want to access your vehicle’s underside so you can carry out the repair conveniently, so don’t bother to take off the tires.

After raising your vehicle with a jack, ensure you support the weight with ramps or support stands. Also, before using your jack, check that the weight of your car doesn’t exceed the maximum weight the jack can bear. All these are safety precautions to prevent accidents while using a car jack.

– Check Where the Gas Is Leaking From

After lifting your car, the next thing to do is to check underneath for where the gas is leaking from. You can trace out the spot by following the puddle or droplets (if it’s currently leaking). You can also do this by listening for any whistling noises and following the gasoline’s smell with your nose until you locate the source.

Another convenient way to test/discover leaking points is to mix a sizeable quantity of dish detergent with one cup of water, stir the mixture until it foams up, and apply it to any place you suspect a leak. If you see bubbles begin to form after applying the mixture, it’s proof of gas escaping. You can use this method when there’s no puddle or when testing for leaking hoses and connections.

– Brush or Sand the Area the Leaks Are Coming From

After discovering the leaking area, the next thing to do is to brush off all the dirt, rust, and grime on the surface. Depending on how dirty or corroded the surface is, you may need a metal brush and sandpaper for the job. Brushing the surface makes the repair kit more effective. It also fully exposes the leaking area so you can seal it off without problems.

– Wipe the Surface Clean and Drain the Gas

After brushing, you need to wipe the surface clean with a cloth. For more effective cleaning, dip the cloth into a vinegar solution and clean the brushed area with it. Make sure you clean off any dirt, oil, or grease that can prevent the repair kit from adhering to the surface when you apply it.

After cleaning, you need to drain out the gasoline in your tank before applying the repair kit. You can do this using a siphon pump or by making your gasoline flow out of the drainage plug into a pan underneath. Whichever method you use, ensure you empty your tank.

– Seal up the Area With a Gas Tank Repair Kit

Now it’s time to seal up the cracks/holes with a gasoline tank repair kit. Read the instructions on the repair kit to know how to apply it. All gasoline tank repair kits come with step-by-step instructions for use. Make sure you follow the given instructions carefully so the repair kit will work as effectively as it should.

– Refuel Your Gasoline Tank

After sealing off the leaky spot, allow a few minutes for the sealant to sit and dry. Next, refill your gasoline tank and observe the results. If your car no longer leaks or gives off a gas smell, you can be sure the problem has been dealt with. Repairs like this can last a couple of years, so you can rest assured that that particular spot won’t leak again any time soon.

– Regularly Inspect Your Vehicle for Leaks

Inspecting your vehicle regularly for leaks is critical, especially when your car/car components are aging. Ensure to deal with any discovered leaks as quickly as possible. You can also take your vehicle to a mechanic to save yourself the trouble of checking for leaks yourself.

FAQs

– Is Driving With a Fuel Leak Safe?

No, driving with a fuel leak isn’t safe. Gasoline is flammable and the major cause of fire explosions in vehicles. You’re putting yourself at risk if you drive with gasoline leaking from your car. You should deal with the leak as soon as you discover it to prevent accidents.

– Can the Fuel Leak From Your Car Result in an Explosion?

Yes, the fuel leak from your car can result in an explosion. Petrol is flammable and can ignite if it touches a heat source. Ruptured hoses can create serious fires during accidents. Oil droplets can also ignite when they touch a very hot exhaust underneath your car.

Conclusion

Now you know how dangerous gas/petrol leaks can be and how to fix them.

Let’s go over the major points once more:

• Gas leaks can arise when there are problems with your gasoline tank, fuel regulator, manifolds, gas pump, carburetor, catalytic converter, or oxygen sensor.
• Loose or damaged caps, seals, and hoses can also allow gasoline to seep out of your car.
• To fix the issue, you must find the source of the leak and seal off the area or replace the damaged part.
• A gasoline tank repair kit is the best remedy for a damaged or leaking gasoline tank.
• Always check for leaks in your car from time to time, even after carrying out a repair.

Take note that only simple leaks can be fixed with a repair kit. For severe leaks, you’ll need to bring your car to the mechanic for fixing.