I got a Ranger last week and it seemed fine. I filled up the tank and yesterday noticed a fuel smell. I looked at the back of the tank and there is a plastic plug there? Seems to be the issue. Is there a fix for this or should I just put this thing out to pasture?

When I got it the tank was 1/4 full and did not smell. It was also outside and nothing was apparent.

 

Likely the filler neck: notorious for splitting & leaking: fairly easy fix: slide bed back to access: LOTS of Utube videos.
Judgejohnmd

 

That image is taken from the back left side of the truck. What you see is the very back of the tank. I wish it was the filler hose. But I think this is either some sort of fix or manufacturing feature.

Are these plastic of metal? Anyone fix a plastic tank without pulling it and removing the gas?

 

Assuming 1999 Ranger

It will be a plastic gas tank, they can crack and leak at a seem or fitting
They are assembled using Plastic Welding
i.e. the two plastic halves of the tank are welded together

They can be repaired the same way, Plastic Welding a patch or ???

Not sure what that plastic fitting is for?
Generally speaking gas tanks only have fittings on the TOP for obvious reasons, lol, and no reason for side or bottom fittings in any case


EDIT:
You would need to drain or drive to get gas in tank well below the leak point to do an "in vehicle repair"
And you need to ID the exact leak point
If its a crack you should drill a hole at each end of the crack to stop it from spreading
And plastic weld a patch over it, read about the different kinds of plastic to get best results

You can also try JB Weld an epoxy used to repair things
You should use a metal plate to hold JB Weld in place
So get 2 or 4 self tapping screws and drill bit for that size screw
Drill 2 or 4 holes around the leak point to hold metal plate
Put JB Weld in the holes and over the leak point, fasten the metal plate, snug don't strip the holes
Let it all dry
Fill gas tank and hope for the best

Plastic expands and contracts with temp changes which is why you need to match plastic type and also why you need to hold something like JB Weld in place over the years

 

Not sure if double post.

Yeah a fitting there makes no sense. If I can match plastic then maybe a giant patch over it. Just not sure about working a live tank.

 

Hey, I know this is an older thread but did you ever figure this out? I'm having the same issue.



To me it looks like a screw or something that I was gonna try taking off and look at once the tank gets a bit lower. I guess for the worst case, flex seal always exists.

 

sadly no. I left it alone snd kid just does a partial fill. With two tanks with the same feature it looks to be a factory plug.

It’s either a friction weld plug or a threaded plug. If threaded it should come loose and be able to gasket somehow. Else you may have to weld over a piece of plastic. Which makes me uncomfortable.

 

Even with no gas in it I wouldnt want to risk a fire from residuals while its on.

I'll see if it's threaded if not I'll just make it look ghetto with some kind of sealant. Thanks.

 

Every tank repair I ever read involved removing the tank and washing it out 6 times to get the fumes away.
I'd ask at a radiator repair shop as those businesses used to include tank repair....possibly back when tanks were steel.

 

Hey

 

looking to see if or what you did have same problem. Does that plug unscrew or what?