FAQ's About Fuel Leaks  

If you smell or suspect fuel leaks from your SC, check the following:

1. Fuel line recall for most years of Thunberbirds and Cougars. The plastic fuel lines near the gas tank rub against the car body and wear through causing a serious fuel leak. This is obvious since the fuel will be pushed under pressure. You will see fuel under the car and fuel dripping from the fuel tank area. This recall is a mandatory NTSB safety recall and will be done at no charge by any Ford dealer whether your car is still under warranty or not.

2. Fuel odor or spillage only when filling the gas tank to the top. This can be caused by either a leaking pump gasket or a cracked fuel pump pickup tube. The fuel pump pickup assembly must be removed in order to replace the gasket. The pickup is made of aluminum and can corrode and crack under stress. This may be repaired by welding, but is probably easier for most to just replace the entire fuel pickup assembly from Ford. This only comes with a new fuel pump and fuel level sender assembly. Price is approx. $250 CAN plus labour. Do not attempt fuel system repairs unless you are qualified to do so. The danger of fire when working with fuel in the gas tank is a real possibility.

Any fuel leak should be repaired as soon as possible. Since the SC has the exhaust routed very close to the fuel tank, it would be easy for the heat from the exhaust to ignite the fuel when it leaks.

If you are considering upgrading your fuel pump, this is the time to do so. You can use a high performance fuel pump for a 86-93 5L Mustang. They are available in 155LPH, 190LPH, and 255LPH sizes. I would recommend the 255LPH since this is a high volume, but low pressure pump. The most affordable pumps are made by Walboro for most major manufacturers such as BBK and Ford Motorsport.