Smoke test

ANDDOR10

MEMBER
1998 FORD E-SERIES VAN
5.4L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
215,515 MILES

I was doing a smoke test on the Evap hose line (hooked up in the engine area) and noticed smoke coming out at the gas fill tube area. There are three hoses at the fill line tube. The regular gas line and a smaller tube next to it (not sure what they call it) but there is a, I guess about a half-inch hose attached to the gas fill line and after inspecting the area the half-inch hose was not connected to anything, just opened to the air, yet it was attached to the gas fill tube (side by side). I couldn't see anywhere that it would attach to. It's a tight area. I tried to follow the line and it appeared to go over the gas tank, but I couldn't say for sure.

Thanks for your comment.

Monday, May 23rd, 2022 AT 5:17 AM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,068 POSTS

Hi,

That is a vent tube. It allows air to exit the fuel tank while fuel enters. As far as location, one end is at the filler tube top. If I recall, the other end is at the front, center top of the fuel tank.

Take a look at the pics below. Pic 1 shows the side that goes to the top of the filler. Pic 2 shows where it attaches to the fuel tank.

If that hose is disconnected, that certainly creates an emissions/evap leak.

Let me know if this helps or if you have questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Monday, May 23rd, 2022 AT 8:32 PM

ANDDOR10

MEMBER
8 POSTS

Hi Joe, I know the two hoses you are talking about but there is a third hose attached to the fuel inlet hose. This is the one that is opened at the end by the fuel inlet area (near the service inlet door). I'll try to do a little more investigation. It's a little tough to crawl around there. When I smoked the evap hoses from the engine compartment a lot came out from the fuel inlet hose area. Assumed it was the hose that was not connected to anything and I couldn't see anything it would be connected to.
Thanks for responding, you guys are the friends I never had.

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Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 AT 4:50 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,068 POSTS

Hi,

There is a possibility I'm looking at the wrong vehicle. I went with the E150. Is it a heavier duty model?

Also, does it have dual tanks? Is the one you are working on in the midsection of the vehicle or behind the rear axle?

Let me know.

Joe

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Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 AT 7:35 PM