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Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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stormageddon
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Dec 27, 2015, 12:13 PM
Post #1 of 29
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Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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2007
Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
4.6, 120K miles.
Is anyone familiar with the police interceptor cars? There's a leak from what looks like a drain at the bottom of the gas tank. It's threaded in there but I'm not sure what would fit up there. Looking for help as soon as possible as this is the vehicle my wife & kids use. Thanks.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 27, 2015, 12:42 PM
Post #2 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Whatever that is, it is not original from the factory. Looks like someone's little project.
I'd say it is time to replace the fuel tank. That could be a fire hazard.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Hammer Time
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Dec 27, 2015, 12:53 PM
Post #3 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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You could try a big wad of gum................
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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stormageddon
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Dec 27, 2015, 4:25 PM
Post #4 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Do you think it's something the cop's did to it, and if so why? As far as I could find out the last owner was the fleet.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 27, 2015, 4:41 PM
Post #5 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Looks like a propane or LNG tank to me.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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stormageddon
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Dec 27, 2015, 4:49 PM
Post #6 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Ok, so I'm not familiar with propane at all, would it be hooked up to the bottom of the tank like that? Is it supposed to mix with the gas?
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 27, 2015, 7:01 PM
Post #7 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Can you take a picture of the fuel tank?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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stormageddon
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Dec 27, 2015, 9:00 PM
Post #8 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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That's the best pics I have right now. I'm going to try to get better ones tomorrow.
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Discretesignals
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Dec 27, 2015, 9:47 PM
Post #9 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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That is definitely the stock fuel tank. Not a LP tank.
That valve on the bottom is probably a poppet valve that you would screw or install hose adapter into to drain the fuel tank. The threads inside the valve could be for a dust cap? Curious as to why someone would go through all the trouble of doing that. You will probably need to replace the fuel tank unless you can source the valve. If you google the numbers on the valve, does it turn anything up?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 27, 2015, 10:04 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
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Dec 28, 2015, 4:42 AM
Post #10 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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IDK - want to do something to one lots older but not.
To your surprise if you do this yourself a whole new tank would be my choice.
There is "Putty" for assorted tank leaks I don't trust and totally don't think it would last,
T
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stormageddon
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Jan 1, 2016, 7:32 PM
Post #11 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Does anyone know about auxiliary tanks? Is it maybe an inlet for a second tank of some kind? Do they usually connect to the bottom of the tank like that? I've been looking for a fitting of some kind to close it off but haven't had any luck.
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Tom Greenleaf
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Jan 1, 2016, 11:02 PM
Post #13 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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I didn't come with this car - the brazing job is hack looking for one.
Doesn't seem to be there for a legit reason - you decide why,
T
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Discretesignals
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Jan 2, 2016, 12:34 PM
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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You might be able to score a fuel tank from a local salvage yard on the cheap. Wash it out with a soap and water, let it dry, swap it out, and off you go.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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fredm
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Jan 4, 2016, 6:55 AM
Post #15 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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I think the situation you have is a partial installation of a fuel tank drain valve. Probably, as part of their preparing the cars for the police fleet, the shop brazes a valve adapter to the bottom of the tank. Then at a later time during a maintenance cycle they install the valve so that any tank condensation can be drained during periodic maintenance. The valve would probably be a self piercing type so they don't actually have to drill into the tank - similar to the valves used to pierce A/C refrigerant cans. Instead of googling the number on the adapter, instead google "fuel tank drain valves" and you'll see what I'm referring to.
Now for the fix - the 1/8 designation is for the thread size. (Although it's normally designated 1/8 NPT-27) The 1/8 stands for the pipe diameter, NPT for National Pipe Threads, and the 27 stands for threads per inch). So you need a 1/8 male pipe plug and some Teflon sealing tape. (I would suggest using a brass material plug.) You can find the plug and tape at any hardware store. Wrap the plug's threads with the tape and install into the existing adapter.
I also would suggest wire brushing the adapter and fuel tank area around the adapter to remove all the dirt and grime. Then spray the area with a couple coats of Rustoleum paint to help prevent any future corrosion. When they originally brazed the adapter on the tank, the heat probably destroyed the protective factory tank coating. And the small area of the tank inside the adapter has corroded over time and that's what is now causing the leak.
Fred
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Tom Greenleaf
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Jan 4, 2016, 7:41 AM
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Fred - It's not your thread and there's no condensation like old days especially on a vehicle that would probably be used all the time and a new one in 2-3 years!
If that was an issue the car maker would make it that way new like other features of those cars.
Ethanol effectively suspends any moisture so a fuel filter takes the hit and they don't as they are large enough or pass thru some moisture already mixed in and actually would self correct.
Look at the brazing job if nothing else - a 5 year old could do better.
I didn't say it but "muni" type vehicles get fueled up and easy to take some for yourself is a motive as most don't syphon out well or at all.
That tank looked clean enough to me to have fixed without the drain or replaced but tank is coming out as I can't think of anything but the magic putty that can work on some old rusty ones for a while.
It was already out showing the brass job as I can't think of a safe way to fire proof a tank for the heat it took to do that without a serious fire problem or explosion.
Could have been done without heat so clearly some not so bright folks were at it definitely not tech of any caliber,
T
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fredm
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Jan 4, 2016, 8:01 AM
Post #17 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Tom
Wow, you sure sound like you're out of sorts this morning. Have a bad New Year?
So it's not my thread - big deal. Regardless how the adapter got installed on the tank, the man said he didn't have the money to replace the tank. A pipe plug and some Teflon tape is less than $2!
Fred
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 4, 2016, 8:19 AM
Post #18 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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I could fix that tank but would remove it to be free of even fumes OR with some testicular fortitude just knock that off when as low as possible and put a drain plug there with those self tapping oversize metal drain plugs and gasket.
Point is if and there is moisture, condensation over time get it with gas and no longer sets to the bottom as it's too turbulent to just stay there as it once did. Gas/fuel stations (worked them) would stick their tank with a paste that showed how much water was there no longer sets at the bottom of tanks where you filled up at nor do gas stations filter fuel before you get it - can't - too much whatever and too bad but mega thousands of gallons a filter the can separate water would clog up hourly at some places.
I'd use a removable putty I have on hand if it stayed dry long enough would temporarily stop the leak.
No car maker is interested in a drain for tanks for legit reason like it needs to be empty just to take out for any reason. This one smacks of vandalism on purpose probably?
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 4, 2016, 10:17 AM
Post #19 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Don't worry about it Fred. we all have our days. It was a good post.
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stormageddon
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Jan 8, 2016, 10:34 AM
Post #20 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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Well after a lot of looking online at pics, the conclusion I've come to was the same as you Fred. It looks like some kind of npt bung for some reason or other. The only thing is all the pics I've seen with those npt drains they look like they go strait through so wouldn't it just pour all the fuel out? Ok so back to the fix, I was hoping to get away with a male plug with some Teflon at least temporarily till I can drop it. Does anyone think that wouldn't work for a temp fix, is so why? And if I do go that way do I need I special kind of Teflon for gasoline or the stuff from the hardware store ok to use?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 8, 2016, 10:38 AM
Post #21 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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It depends where it's actually leaking from. If the leak is definitely on the inside only, a plug would work but if the actual leak is coming from below that welded nipple. a plug may just force the leak to the outside.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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stormageddon
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Jan 8, 2016, 10:46 AM
Post #22 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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On a different thought when I go to drop it I've found that the mounting bolts for the tank straps ( according to Ford ) need to be replaced, and they want $37 just for the bolts and another $27 for the nuts. Supposedly they break off short once you get the tank installed. Is anyone familiar with this, and is it possible to reinstall the tank without replacing those? From what I've seen online most people just modify the tank straps to get them to reach but I would think if it reached when it came off it should reach to go back on. Right? Maybe? Even if it's going to be a pain in the you know what to get it.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 8, 2016, 2:12 PM
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I realize that but the question is will it be forced under the nipple when the nipple is sealed off.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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stormageddon
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Jan 8, 2016, 9:55 PM
Post #25 of 29
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Re: Crown Vic police interceptor gas leak
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I don't believe so but if the plug (is that what it's called?) is as cheap as it sounds like it might be it might be worth a try. If it keeps leaking or gets worse I'll just be back to where I'm at now and have to drop the tank. So I think it's worth a try at least.
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