Totally stumped.

[schlutzer]

My truck has been parked for a year or so, and will be back ont he road very shortly, and I am fixing all those little problems that I ignored while I drove it.

One that I can't figure out is a fuel smell. After driving it when I got out of the truck I could smell fuel, only when standing near the back on the cab on the drivers side.

I haven't been able to locate the leak, I had the box off at one point to replace the fuel pump, and the filler neck was totally fine, as that was my first thought. The truck did seem to be running rich and I'm 95% sure my fuel pressure regulator was shot ( the vaccum line smelled of fuel) I wasn't quite getting the mileage that I should have been either.

On the older trucks, there is a box that it took me a LONG time to figure out what the part is. Ford calls it the Fuel reservoir assembly, but I can't find it's purpose, the fuel smell seems to be coming right from there, as it's directly below the back of the cab, lmc truck has a listing for it: http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fr/full.aspx?page=109

So basically, what is this part's purpose? Could this be my fuel smell and mileage issue? and most importantly will it need replacing or is the issue with it being caused by the crapped out pressure regulator, causing excess fuel to be getting returned?

BTW my truck is an 88 with the 2.3

 

[budro]

Its probably the fill hose not sealing all the way. The vent hose is inside usually. Mine has done that forever and plus when you fill it up all the way is splashes out the top of the tank. The hoses get hard and brittle and dont seal up after years in the elements.

 

[schlutzer]

re-read my post, No it is NOT the filler neck, as I have already checked. many times now.

 

[AllanD]

the Reservoir cannister (used on EFI Rangers 1985-88) is a cannister that is filled up by the low pressure pump in the tank and "mixes" with the fuel that is returned by the fuel pressure regulator to "the tank" (fuel that passes through the fuel rail gets warmed and they are trying to keep from heating all the fuel in the tank)

On 1985-86 Rangers (And Bronco2's) there is a paper filter element inside, 87-88's don't
have a filter and the cannister is NOT intended to be opened.

on a 1992 a rusted fuel tank isn't a possibility (it's plastic)
but a broken vent assembly, disconnect vent line or even a disintegrating vent grommet
could be your problem.

(on short bed and supercab's the vent "hides" inside a frame crossmember
so the only way to access it is to drop the tank.

 

[schlutzer]

Thanks allanD, my truck is actually an 88 now, I just havent updated my profile.

I once again searched everything, and am still unable to find the source of the smell. I am still driving with a bad fuel pressure regulator, new one should be here in a day or so.

Could it be the cause of my issue? or is the reservoir canister the problem?

Or is there actually no problem at all since you said it does vent?

This 88 is cleaner underneath than most trucks 4 years old, I may be in canada, but the truck hails from florida, plus it has been properly undercoated, even the tops of the frame rails have and even coating.

I have replaced my fuel pump because it died, and when I did that I inspected the top of the tank, there was zero rust there, just paint, undercoating and dirt.

The smell seems to be coming from slightly more forward than the tank, it is strongest, and sometimes the only place you can smell it, directly beside my back window (ext cab).