Hey guys I filled my car up last week and noticed overnight a wet spot under the drivers side rear area. It's dripping from the tank, but I can't pin point the location. The left side of the tank was wet and it looks like it's coming from the top somewhere. Fuel pump is on the other side so not sure if that's the problem because I've heard of them leaking. I'm parked downhill a little. Also I burned 1/8 of a tank or one notch (not sure if it's actually 1/8 of a tank because I think there's still more gas when the fuel gauge gets down to red likes reserve) driving 12 miles in the city. Now it's all stop signs and I only drove 2 miles each cycle. It's likely I'm averaging 6 mpg or something ridiculous because it's all 1-3 gears and all accelerating. Also the thermostat doesn't even open up by the time I get to school, so it could be running really rich still. I'm wondering if the leak is that bad or just city driving because this is city driving at its finest.

Im at half a tank now and I've driven 113 miles since fill up. I was driving highways and back roads the past weekend. If someone could tell me how many gallons each notch represents I could get a rough estimate of the mpg , that would be great. Then I would need to fix the leak for safety and so my driveway doesn't have gas all over it.
Thanks a lot I really appreciate it

 

doesn't your car's info center show average MPGs? you should be able to reset to zero out and see what's what. Regarding the leaking, sounds like it could be in the area of the filler neck. is that the side that's wet? On the thermostat question - that's really a mechanical switch - more likely you may have a problem with the engine coolant temp sensor, which is located directly below the thermostat cover. Simple to replace for about $50 and throw in a new OEM thermostat for $15 and see if that helps.

 

Fuel pumps are common to leak, but it is on the passenger side. Best bet is to remove the back seat and remove the access covers to check.

 

I just mentioned the thermostat to tell you it's not even up to temperature so maybe it was running rich, but disregard that. The fuel leak is on the left side. The right side is the fuel door. I averaged 17 mpg based off of my miliage and gallons used when I filled up again. The leak is definetly a problem. It only leaks at 3/4 tank and up.

Aren't there two fuel pumps? One on each side?

 

Just one pump. But there is a level sender on the drivers side. It could be leaking from that seal.

 

Level sender? Is that located on the top of the tank because it appears that's where the leak is coming from. Also can I access it from under the rear seats if do I have to drop the tank?
Thank you

 

If you have a plastic tank, you access both the pump and level sender from under the seat.

 

Ok thanks a lot. Ill check tomorrow and let you know if that's it.

 

we sell a few of the left hand sending units - the plastic top where the o ring sits can crack

 

Well if you're right, I'll be buying one from you

 

Here it is. As soon as I took that aluminum off I could smell lots of fumes! Got it now I just need to replace it. Now is it the black thing surrounding the sender? I want to order the part and take the sender apart once if possible. Im assuming that's right because fcp sells the sender and then just that which they call "sender oring"

 

here is my exploded view:

tank sender DSL. 6CYL. 5CYL EXC (CA), (US). 5CYL (CA), (US).. Fits: 2004 Volvo S60 2.4l 5 cylinder | Volvo Wholesale Parts Direct

 

At the very minimum, you will need the o-ring. The sender could also be cracked. Hard to tell without inspecting it.

 

Alright thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. I'll order the o ring and the "screw" which it's called on the skematic and go from there. I'll let you know my results

 

So my local dealership had the parts in stock so I picked them up because I figured shouldn't be messing around with a fuel leak. Test drove and didn't see and gas that used to sit on top of the sender. Ill find out for sure if its fixed when I fill it up. Tuesday is when shell has 20 cents off 93...

 

sounds like you nailed it

 

Filled up yesterday doesn't leak. Thanks for the help