Hi guys, newby here with a 1996 F150 that I just purchased a couple of weeks ago. I'm having a problem with the front fuel tank-the fuel leaks out of the filler pipe, or more accurately, bubbles out of the filler pipe. It will blow out a pint or so if I take the cap off or it will just sit there and drip if I don't remove the cap. It acts like the tank is getting pressurized. This afternoon it did it while the truck was parked. It had not been driven since yesterday. I was working nearby and heard a long groan and then smelled gas. The gauge for the front tank won't come off full but it seems to work OK on the rear tank. The engine doesn't seem to run as good using the front tank as it does on the rear tank. The truck has 266K miles but seems to have a strong running 302. Is this sounding like a bad fuel pump in the front tank? Or is the rear tank overfilling the front tank? The previous owner(s) didn't do much maintenance by the looks of it.

 

Common problem and you're not going to like the solution, you will have to replace both fuel pumps and not auto parts x brand. Gotta get Ford fuel pumps from the dealer.

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OK, but what do the Ford pumps have that the FLAPS pumps don't have?

 

Working parts. Not a joke.

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Guess I'll be making a trip to my local Ford dealer next week. Appreciate the help.

 

Anytime, oh and they had a recall on those trucks for the very problem you have, I do not know if it's still open but if it is they will fix it for free regardless of mileage. Involves adding a couple of check valves inline and a new pressure regulator.

Worth it to ask them if that safety campaign is still in effect.

If you are going to replace them your self, raise the bed, it's easier than dropping the tanks.
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Thanks for the heads up on the recall. I'll see if I can find it online.

I'm old enough now where I'd rather pay somebody else to do the crappy jobs.

 

I know that feeling all too well.

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I checked the NTHSA recalls and didn't find any fuel recalls for the '96. There were a couple for the '93 and older involving what you said. Recall #00V4240000 said:

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND CAB CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND DUAL FUEL TANKS. THE CARBON STEEL FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR IN THE FUEL SYSTEM CAN WEAR OUT DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR MALFUNCTIONS, IT CAN CAUSE HIGH FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE, WHICH DAMAGES THE FUEL PUMP CHECK VALVE. THIS ALLOWS FUEL TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE TANK TO THE OTHER, POSSIBLY OVERFILLING THE NON-OPERATING TANK, RESULTING IN FUEL OVERFLOW PAST THE FILLER CAP.

Sounds like what my truck is doing. Maybe I don't need new fuel pumps? I'll run it over to Ford next week and see what they say. Again, thanks for the help.

 

Keep us updated on how it goes. Good luck.