Did the DIY Cleaning of sending unit - now leaking fuel?
 

Hi all:

I have an '05 6MT Sedan. Thought I would try the DIY thread on cleaning the "piano keys" or fuel sending units. I also saw a couple of YouTube videos showing this process as well.

I never had a code thrown, but the issue was my fuel gauge would not drop below half a tank. Dealt with this for the past couple of years. So I would always fill up, drive around 300 miles, and fill up again.

I did this cleaning of the piano keys (although they didn't look as dirty as some others I've seen on line), and put everything back together the same way. I did this and my fuel gauge did drop, so I had assumed I was in better shape.

Here is my issue:

I went to fill up for the first time this morning. I finish refueling, and immediately saw moderate gas leaking from the drivers side. If turned into a decent sized puddle. This was the simpler side, with only the sensor and not the fuel pump. It was rather embarrassing. Drove it straight home (2 miles) and parked it in the driveway and it was still dripping. Any thoughts as to what I could have done wrong? I guess I'll check the tightness of everything after work today, but everything went back together so nicely, I didn't anticipate any issues. I tried searching the site, but couldn't find anyone that experienced this same instance.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

i vaguely recall something similar happen to me but don't recall doing anything other than checking how the assembly was bolted down. I remember there being a warning or check point in the fsm or something about being careful to pay attention to the orientation of the seal or watch out to avoid pinching something between the tank and seal. It was a long time ago that I did this. You'll probably find something obvious if you take out your seats, pop that little cover off, drive around and induce the leak and you'll see where the leak is and if something isn't lined up or fastened. Oh I remember the check point was to not get gas on the seal as it would ruin it. There are threads about leaking after working on the pump/senders and this was one of the things mentioned.

Thanks for the tip jbarnett250. I'll re-check all of that really well a bit later.