Topic: Fuel Leak - Finally found it!

[jfrabat]

You may all remember (or maybe not!) that I have been complaining for a while that when I fill up my Jeep, it smells like gas in the rear, driver side's fender well.  Some of you suggested the fuel filler hose may have cracked (and, although I had replaced it about 2 years ago, I was ready to pull the trigger on a new one once again), and I thought it was the lines coming from the rollover vents, which I was also ready to change (and I still will, to be honest!), but it turns out it was neither.

While putting the cover in place here (I had to re-bend the tub behind the flare, because it bent when the wheel came off the Jeep about a year ago, and it had never really fit properly since then), I noticed the gasoline smell again.  I started looking around, and found a wet hose, and it turns out to be the vent.  I am not sure if it is the vent itself or the connection itself, and even if this is a result of me pulling the fuel filler hose (the little rod that makes the 20 gal tank a 14 gal tank!) completely and now the fuel level being to high compared to the vent, so I am even considering extending the line further up inside the wheel well.

Anyway, here are the pics of the culprit, so that you can give me some ideas on how to fix this...  Or if I need to order the part (whatever it is called!) on top of the line.

Keep in mind the pics are taken from the bottom looking up...  So the little white thing (the one I dont know the name of!) is actually pointing UP.







Felipe

[oldjeep]

If you are talking about the hose with the white cap on it, that appears to be the rear axle vent line.  Never seen a line like that used on a fuel tank.

[97 TJ - I dont wave]

THe hose with the white valve is the rear axle vent. They are typically ziptied to the fuel line and accessable by removing the gas shroud on the side of the jeep.

[FourbangerYJ]

I would agree with the others. Looks like the axle breather. Reach up there and rub on it and see what it smells like. (sounds dirty) 

[Jeffy]

it's the axle breather.  The tank breather should be on the top of the tank and go to the Evap.

[sharpxmen]

it's the axle breather.  The tank breather should be on the top of the tank and go to the Evap.

x17

you have the same one under the hood for the front axle if you want to compare

[jfrabat]

So why then is the axle breather smelling like gasoline?  This is really getting on my nerves...

[b.hog]

In the pics the area around the axle breather looks wet also,so fuel must be squirting or sloshing up there and hanging out on it,check everything below it-bend and squeeze the hoses check the clamps also.Would get on my nerves too,  the elusive gas gremlin

[Jeffy]

So why then is the axle breather smelling like gasoline?  This is really getting on my nerves...

It's probably gear oil.  If the breather gets clogged it can squirt out with some force.  Follow the line, it will lead to your axle.

Since you had your tank out, you probably didn't look up there.  I doubt you even touch that line since it's not attached to the tank.

[jfrabat]

It's probably gear oil.  If the breather gets clogged it can squirt out with some force.  Follow the line, it will lead to your axle.

Since you had your tank out, you probably didn't look up there.  I doubt you even touch that line since it's not attached to the tank.

No, I did not touch it.  And I just noticed that this is where it was showing some liquid; but come to think of it, if it was gas, it would have evaporated, as I checked the day after I used the Jeep.  Still, it smells like gas in there, so I have to keep on looking.

In the pics the area around the axle breather looks wet also,so fuel must be squirting or sloshing up there and hanging out on it,check everything below it-bend and squeeze the hoses check the clamps also.Would get on my nerves too,  the elusive gas gremlin

Not only the breather, but also the rubber thingy that's on top of the pic (where it would drip from the breather, I guess).  I have tripple checked all the clamps as well, so it's not that.  Must be a broken hose somewhere...  Just cracked enough to make it smell...

[dwtaylorpdx]

The gasket for teh fuel pump and guage sender was recalled on 1993 through 1995 YJ's for failing and leaking when sloshed...

I just changed my 94 gasket for the second time since I owned it.

Dave

[jfrabat]

The gasket for teh fuel pump and guage sender was recalled on 1993 through 1995 YJ's for failing and leaking when sloshed...

I just changed my 94 gasket for the second time since I owned it.

Dave

I was thinking the same thing; I did not fuel after wheeling last time so that I can drop the tank and check this.  It may very well be the cause of my problem (although I did change the gasket when I changed fuel pumps 3 or 4 years ago).  Anyway, it can also be that one of the screws for the assembly is a bit loose or something.  Gotta drop the tank to see, so maybe this weekend i'll get around to doing this...