I think I have a fuel leak and need advise.

Asked by Kathryne Oct 03, 2014 at 11:53 AM about the 1997 Ford Thunderbird LX RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have been smelling fuel when running the car, i have been noticing wet patches on
the ground where the car is parked, and I have been going through more gas than
usual. Yesterday, after putting gas in the car, I drove approximately 1 mile and the car
stalled out... I have not been able to get it started again. It acts like it is not getting gas.
I am needing to know what I can do or if you think it maight be a leak or a pump and
which pump I would need if it is the pump.

1 Answer

15,715

!. ANY FUEL LEAK IS VERY DANGEROUS... FIND AND FIX IT FAST. You say you can see a spot under the car. When I am checking for any kind of leak, I place newspaper on the garage floor and drive the car over it. Mark the bottom center of the tires so you have a locater point. Let it sit for awhile and then drive off and look where leak is. You can tell a lot about the leak by the color of it. Fuel will not really leave a color on newsprint. regardless, when you figure where the leak is, using your marks from the tire, measure back (or forward) to the spot on the paper. Get under the car at that point and you should be able to find the leak.

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