Our latest featured repair is Fuel Filler Neck Replacement on a 1999 Subaru Outback, brought to us by a client from Oakridge, Vancouver.
The fuel filler neck is the piece where you insert the fuel nozzle at the gas station. It runs downward to your fuel tank. Being made of steel, it is prone to rusting. Given enough time and salty road conditions fuel filler necks will eventually deteriorate to the point of leaking.
That’s exactly what happened with our featured 1999 Subaru Outback.
You will know when your fuel filler neck rusts out in one of several ways: first is that gas will leak out under your car when you fill your tank; second is that you may find a strong smell of gas coming from the rear of your vehicle; third, and the reason this Subaru required a new fuel filler neck, is that your check engine light stays on.
This Subaru Outback came to us with its check engine lamp on. We diagnosed and tested the system and found a pinhole leak from a rusted fuel filler neck. After replacement we retested the system for leaks: there were none.
Your check engine light will illuminate for many reasons. EVAP system faults are frequently the culprit. EVAP stands for Evaporative Emission system and includes the fuel tank, fuel filler neck and hoses, fuel lines, vents, electric valves and pumps as well as the gas cap. It’s purpose is to prevent gasoline fumes from escaping into the atmosphere. While it seems innocent enough, gas vapors are a huge source of hydrocarbon (HC) pollution. Evaporating gasoline is also a huge waste of your money, so keeping vapors contained is in your best financial interest.
For more on the Subaru Outback click here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Outback
For more in depth information on the EVAP system click here http://auto.howstuffworks.com/evaporative-emission-control-system1.htm
