Is it Safe to Drive With a Leaking Gas Tank?

A leaking gas tank can be caused by a number of different things, such as rocks or sharp objects your car picks up while driving down the road. The smell of gas is one sign that you may have a leaking gas tank. A leaking gas tank may be dangerous because of the potential for a fire or explosion.

If you are worried about a leaking gas tank, here are some things to think about:

The fuel system has various parts which include the fuel tank, filters, pumps, and fuel injection lines. When one of these parts fail, the entire system fails. A leaking gas tank is one of the leading causes of a failing fuel system.

A leaking gas tank can also be referred to a supply leak. A sign of a leaking gas tank is a drop in the fuel gauge without having used that respective amount of gasoline. The fuel gauge may drop a small or large amount, depending on the size of the leak. If you notice this, you should have an inspection to determine if you gas tank is leaking.

An easy way to tell if your gas gauge has moved is to put gas in your vehicle, then take note where the gauge is once you park the vehicle. After a certain amount of time, say overnight, check the fuel gauge in the morning and make sure the gauge is in the same spot. If you have less gas, this may be a sign of a leaking gas tank.

Another way to see if you have a leaking gas tank is to visually inspect it. Check beneath the tank of your vehicle and see if you notice a puddle. If there is a puddle underneath where your gas tank is located, there is a good chance you have a leaking gas tank. Furthermore, this puddle will smell strongly of gas, which is another sign of a leaking tank.

Driving with a leaking gas tank is potentially dangerous because gasoline is flammable. If the gas comes into contact with a spark or fire, it could ignite causing a fire to the vehicle and injury to the passengers. If you have any suspicions of a leak, it is best to have the gas tank inspected as soon as possible.

(SOURCE: YOURMECHANIC).