I own a 2012 explorer so vehicle is 6 years old. I started smelling gas once in a while so started not filling it all the way to try to figure out where it was coming from. Finally found gas on tank strap, at this point it is out of warranty. This is a 4 wheel drive so there is 2 sides of the fuel tank connected at top. Used air to pressurize tank and found pump/sending unit on passenger side and sending unit on drivers side both leaking from around steel ring. Once we pulled the both the rust under pumps had expanded and broke the top of pumps off. Hand not thrown check engine light on at this time caught problem early enough. These are not cheep vehicles and that is a **** poor design and i think needs recalled, A dangerous problem for for everyone driving this vehicle which is also used on police forces all over US. Would love to here any comments. PS $700.00 to replace both pumps and could only get them through ford. I have been a Ford Guy my whole life FYI, very disappointed how cheaply they were made.

 

Thanks for the info. Seems to be a common problem especially when dust and dirt get up in there and hold the moisture.

 

my father has the same problem. it is really embarrassing at church, but that's what happens when you get old.