Just discovered a fuel leak. I have a couple of questions.

[Sigma.40]

I have a 2000 Grand Marquis LS. I started smelling gas earlier today and discovered that there is fuel leaking just in front of my passenger side rear tire. There is some sort of silver canister that is just soaked in gas. Seems to be coming from that. It drips whether the car is on or off.

My questions are: Is that the fuel filter? And 2. How do I get it off without all the fuel from my tank coming out?

[SeanP]

Not too sure, but this may help. Worst case scenario it will at least help you identify if it is your filter or not... personally not too familiar with the newer Panthers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvW5nWpUKGw

[IPreferDIY]

Yup, sounds like the fuel filter. If it is, that video shows you almost all you need to know. What I do to relieve the pressure is unscrew the fuel cutoff switch on the driver's side of the trunk with the engine running and give it a good whack. That kills the fuel pump, and the engine will die. (The intended purpose of the switch is to cut off the fuel if you've been hit.) You might be able to get away with hitting the switch while it's still mounted if you really don't want to take it off. Don't forget to reset the switch when you're done.

[sly]

if the fuel filter is covered in gas, the leak may be coming from the line going to the filter. If you can see where the gas is leaking from and it is indeed the fuel filter, just replace it and you'll be all good. If the leak is coming from inside the line on one of the fuel filter nipples, then you'll have to replace the o-rings inside that line. That requires "dental picks" to get the old ring out so you can slide the new ring in. Hopefully that's not the issue because that's a PITA.

[gadget73]

Also possible that one of the plastic hairpin clips that secures the line to the filter broke, and the line has pushed out of position. Worth a closer look at any rate.

Fuel won't drain out once the key is off. You'll get whatever fuel is laying in the line and filter, but thats it. The tank won't siphon itself.

[GM_Guy]

If you whack your fuel cutoff switch too much it will get overly sensitive and eventually nuisance trip on ya.

Alex.

[Sigma.40]

Awesome. That video answered all my questions. I'm pretty sure it's the filter. The lines look to be in decent condition. I'll pick up a filter tonight.

[IPreferDIY]

If you whack your fuel cutoff switch too much it will get overly sensitive and eventually nuisance trip on ya.

Alex.

I've always presumed it's a magnetic thing. What about it makes it get overly sensitive?

[IPreferDIY]

... Fuel won't drain out once the key is off. You'll get whatever fuel is laying in the line and filter, but thats it. The tank won't siphon itself.

At least one other car I had (though I forget which among Topaz/Taurus/Tempo) used to actually run for a bit after whacking the cutoff switch. I don't recall if I ever did the fuel filter on that (those) one(s), but this type of response seems ideal for getting most of the fuel out of the line to avoid spillage. Unfortunately, with my 2000 MGM, it dies right after I whack the switch.

[knucklehead0202]

Also possible that one of the plastic hairpin clips that secures the line to the filter broke, and the line has pushed out of position. Worth a closer look at any rate.

Fuel won't drain out once the key is off. You'll get whatever fuel is laying in the line and filter, but thats it. The tank won't siphon itself.

This. I've never gone to any trouble relieving pressure or draining lines when changing filters. You'll get a trickle and that's about it. Hell, I do it with a cigarette in my mouth Not really but it's a super-easy swap, basically requiring a screwdriver.

[DerekTheGreat]

Do newer boxes have a fuse for the fuel pump? If so I'd just take that out and crank the engine for a while if I needed to drain pressure...

[gadget73]

Boxes no, round cars yes. On the box I just let it sit a while, or if I'm feeling impatient I smack the inertia switch with the engine running and let it stall. If he's got a leak, bet a buck that when it stops leaking, the pressure is bled out.