Fuel tank exploded!

[Maverick909]

This looks like the exhaust may have thinned the plastic tank. I’m guessing this is on a two door to since the fuel cell on the four doors in opposite of the exhaust system. On top of 2.5 hours of driving in 110-120+ degree F asphalt didn’t help at all. What a bummer. Glad you are ok and nothing else worse happened

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[Frezski]

@my_0range_crush When I was back up TX last year for more work with Exodus, Bubba did mention something in regards to the exhaust with the 392 swap being close to tank and to keep an eye on it. Since we had it apart I believe, as an added safety measure, applied more heat shielding to the tank in that region. We didn't discuss it further. I'm guessing he has seen that happen to other customers, or have caught the heat warping before the tank gives. He could have wrapped the exhaust as well in that section but I have to look. Since were both running the NextVenture skids, It's going to trap way more heat compared to leaving the stock skids in. Glad you're safe and nothing catastrophic happened. At least you caught it now vs on your trip out East. I will inspect mine just incase.

 

[mtbjeep]

You said it seemed to have ruptured from the inside. Was Sigourney Weaver lurking around by chance?

 

[Tncdrew]

This looks like the exhaust may have thinned the plastic tank. I’m guessing this is on a two door to since the fuel cell on the four doors in opposite of the exhaust system.

2dr exhaust is on the opposite side of the fuel cell as well.

 

[Bulletbill]

For those that fear this happening to your stock wrangler, pump the brakes. If you read through the thread you would see that this was a modified wrangler with a modified exhaust.

That said, hope the OP finds the cause and glad he’s alright.

 

[jeepingib]

https://motobilt.com/products/rear-fuel-tank-skid-for-jeep-jlu

https://genright.com/shop-by-vehicle/jeep-jlu-25-gal-gas-tank-with-skid-plate/

Might be a good time to consider a tank change. These options also allow for a triangulated 4 link when you are ready.

 

[dstevens]

If you read through the thread you would see that this was a modified wrangler with a modified exhaust.

Seems like it is a hemi conversion with an exhaust cross-over running at the front corner of the fuel tank. Also seems that this information is somewhat pertinent to the original post.

 

[garykk]

It’s pretty obvious from your picture that the exhaust is the culprit. I can’t believe that an installer would not place a shield between the exhaust and the tank. That was an accident waiting to happen.

 

[m3reno]

It's the laws of physics! It seems to me that the exhaust heated the gas inside the tank and when he pulled in to get gas it introduced cooler gas to the heated gas which cretaed an implosion affect and at that point of the tank was the weakest.

 

[my_0range_crush]

Seems like it is a hemi conversion with an exhaust cross-over running at the front corner of the fuel tank. Also seems that this information is somewhat pertinent to the original post.

I’ve been running this set up for over 2 years and 50k miles on it. I’m a technician and I’ve never see it with heating issues. I did install my skid plates myself last year and there wasn’t any issues then.

I’m still thinking there was a issues with the pressure release valve in the evap that was causing the tank to expand to the point where it was getting closer to the exhaust then what it was designed to.

 

[Bulletbill]

I’ve been running this set up for over 2 years and 50k miles on it. I’m a technician and I’ve never see it with heating issues. I did install my skid plates myself last year and there wasn’t any issues then.

I’m still thinking there was a issues with the pressure release valve in the evap that was causing the tank to expand to the point where it was getting closer to the exhaust then what it was designed to.

You really can’t see how the exhaust that close to the tank would cause issues? Just like someone else said, it would cause the gas in the tank to heat and expand, introduce cold fuel and you have a problem. The fact that it took two years to happen is likely due to repeated expansion and contraction causing the tank to eventually fatigue.

I‘ll blame Jeep quality when it’s warranted, like the aux battery, but it’s always amusing when people mod their vehicles significantly outside of the scope of realistic expectations that the vehicle was engineered for and then blame Jeep for the failures.

 

[Borderline Jeep]

Here’s a video of it

The tank appears to have a lot of wrinkles in it like it got hot and weakened.

 

[Borderline Jeep]

idk what happened. I’ve been running this set up for 2 year and over 50k miles. Nothing has changed and I’ve never noticed it on my inspections.

What engine do you have?

 

[JLeco2022]

I’ve been running this set up for over 2 years and 50k miles on it. I’m a technician and I’ve never see it with heating issues. I did install my skid plates myself last year and there wasn’t any issues then.

I’m still thinking there was a issues with the pressure release valve in the evap that was causing the tank to expand to the point where it was getting closer to the exhaust then what it was designed to.

where do you by chance work at? because i want to stay clear

 

[KCSgtMaj]

There doesn’t seem to be a heat shield on the exhaust pipe. Just enough heat this time that made it fail. Though it really didn’t fail as designed as the design had been changed.

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