This is a weird one!

[Wabujitsu]

I started throwing codes/CELs/messages about two weeks ago, for the fuel system/gas cap. Usually, it simply means either cranking down the cap tighter, or buying a new cap. Initially I cranked down the cap, cleared the code, and it worked.

Yesterday - a week later - the CEL lit up again, so I bought a new gas cap and went home, and didn’t bother clearing the code. Today I stopped at a gas station. As I was filling up, gasoline was trickling down from the filler assembly tube and showing at a seam in the fender liner, splashing down to the concrete.

I immediately drove to the privately-owned shop I use.

Upon examination, the tube/hose that goes from the cap to the gas tank was leaking right where the hose starts to follow the top of the frame. You would think contact friction has worn a hole in it, but that wasn’t it. There was a small, perfectly round hole punched into the hose, NOT at a contact point. The tube material is still tough and robust; this was not a material failure, and it’s not vandalism.

Our best speculation is a very high-speed rock, shrapnel, or nail was kicked-up and thrown into the tube. The tube is in a very well protected area though. A one-in-a-billion shot??

I am relieved to see that it’s not due to a standard Jeep engineering or materials failure. I guess that, at least, is a good thing.

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[Heimkehr]

Happenstance happens.

My riding partner cut a ride short one day when a terrible, speed-sensitive screeching began to occur somewhere on the driveline of his belt-drive motorcycle. We looked it over as thoroughly as we could, but couldn't identify the cause. He raised the white flag and took it to his selling dealer, who found the teenciest little pebble lodged betwixt the belt sprocket and an adjacent, non-moving part. Removing it resolved the matter.

We were just surprised that something that small could get that resolutely stuck, and more to the point, cause a sound way out of proportion to its size.

 

[calemasters]

I started throwing codes/CELs/messages about two weeks ago, for the fuel system/gas cap. Usually, it simply means either cranking down the cap tighter, or buying a new cap. Initially I cranked down the cap, cleared the code, and it worked.

Yesterday - a week later - the CEL lit up again, so I bought a new gas cap and went home, and didn’t bother clearing the code. Today I stopped at a gas station. As I was filling up, gasoline was trickling down from the filler assembly tube and showing at a seam in the fender liner, splashing down to the concrete.

I immediately drove to the privately-owned shop I use.

Upon examination, the tube/hose that goes from the cap to the gas tank was leaking right where the hose starts to follow the top of the frame. You would think contact friction has worn a hole in it, but that wasn’t it. There was a small, perfectly round hole punched into the hose, NOT at a contact point. The tube material is still tough and robust; this was not a material failure, and it’s not vandalism.

Our best speculation is a very high-speed rock, shrapnel, or nail was kicked-up and thrown into the tube. The tube is in a very well protected area though. A one-in-a-billion shot??

I am relieved to see that it’s not due to a standard Jeep engineering or materials failure. I guess that, at least, is a good thing.

The small hole could be from electro-static discharge. We had a similar issue in Alaska on certain vehicles with external plastic fuel filter housings. We had to switch to metal fuel filters with a ground strap to the frame. This eliminated the ESD issue and therefore, fuel leaks.

 

[Wabujitsu]

The small hole could be from electro-static discharge. We had a similar issue in Alaska on certain vehicles with external plastic fuel filter housings. We had to switch to metal fuel filters with a ground strap to the frame. This eliminated the ESD issue and therefore, fuel leaks.

Allen, do you see that as a possibility with the composite filler hose material? I would think it’s already grounded, as it lays on the frame and attaches to the body at the fuel cap. I am intrigued with your idea, though, and would like to hear more of your thoughts on this. I’m a big proponent of not repeating the same damage again. It’s also troublesome that there could be a static discharge ANYWHERE around the fuel system! Thank you, sir!

 

[calemasters]

Allen, do you see that as a possibility with the composite filler hose material? I would think it’s already grounded, as it lays on the frame and attaches to the body at the fuel cap. I am intrigued with your idea, though, and would like to hear more of your thoughts on this. I’m a big proponent of not repeating the same damage again. It’s also troublesome that there could be a static discharge ANYWHERE around the fuel system! Thank you, sir!

I really do not know. I didn't work with Jeeps. But is the composite filler hose have good electrical conduction so that is would not hold a static charge?

Anyway, my comment was just a huntch based on my past experience.

 

[Wabujitsu]

I really do not know. I didn't work with Jeeps. But is the composite filler hose have good electrical conduction so that is would not hold a static charge?

Anyway, my comment was just a huntch based on my past experience.

I would assume so, as it is part of the fuel system and is the hose that comes into contact with an external piece of equipment (the gas pump), which could result in an explosive ESD when the separate charges equalize.

 

[NWJeepr]

Pics? Here's a filler hose assembly, looks like it has a vent line. Is that where your hole is?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2970657778...vbwInMi_O7GCDcIht_QbYuLDK1yRuKONiEax-TE&gQT=2

 

[Wabujitsu]

Pics? Here's a filler hose assembly, looks like it has a vent line. Is that where your hole is?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2970657778...vbwInMi_O7GCDcIht_QbYuLDK1yRuKONiEax-TE&gQT=2

I haven’t seen it yet, but I trust the shop owner’s description. When the assembly is swapped out, I will take some photos of it. It should be sometime next week when the assembly comes in.

Blake (the owner) told me the small hole is right at the first bend where the tube meets the topside of the frame.

 

[azjl#3]

I started throwing codes/CELs/messages about two weeks ago, for the fuel system/gas cap. Usually, it simply means either cranking down the cap tighter, or buying a new cap. Initially I cranked down the cap, cleared the code, and it worked.

Yesterday - a week later - the CEL lit up again, so I bought a new gas cap and went home, and didn’t bother clearing the code. Today I stopped at a gas station. As I was filling up, gasoline was trickling down from the filler assembly tube and showing at a seam in the fender liner, splashing down to the concrete.

I immediately drove to the privately-owned shop I use.

Upon examination, the tube/hose that goes from the cap to the gas tank was leaking right where the hose starts to follow the top of the frame. You would think contact friction has worn a hole in it, but that wasn’t it. There was a small, perfectly round hole punched into the hose, NOT at a contact point. The tube material is still tough and robust; this was not a material failure, and it’s not vandalism.

Our best speculation is a very high-speed rock, shrapnel, or nail was kicked-up and thrown into the tube. The tube is in a very well protected area though. A one-in-a-billion shot??

I am relieved to see that it’s not due to a standard Jeep engineering or materials failure. I guess that, at least, is a good thing.

Chipmunks, they are the devil incarnate

 

[Wabujitsu]

Chipmunks, they are the devil incarnate

Scott, no chipmunks down here, brother. Also, Blake described it as a “pinhole,” not a chew mark, and he’s a fellow Florida country boy who is also quite familiar with the plethora of chewing-prone critters down here.

When I have it replaced, I will closely examine and photograph it myself, and will post the photos for all y’all’s opinions.

I don’t tolerated mysteries like this very well, because I’m a bit OCD about ensuring a like-malfunction doesn’t ever reoccur.

Heck man, maybe it’s the killer Rabbit of Caerbannog!

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