Aft-Axle Fuel Tank
BI-FUEL MODELS ONLYREMOVAL
WARNING:
^ AVOID INHALING GAS OR OCCUPYING CONFINED AREAS CONTAINING PROPANE. PROPANE IS HEAVIER THAN AIR. THE HEAVIER GAS CAN DISPLACE OR PUSH FRESH AIR OUT OF AN AREA. IN LARGE QUANTITIES, PROPANE CAN DISPLACE ENOUGH OXYGEN TO MAKE THE SURROUNDING AIR UNFIT TO BREATHE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE ILLNESS. IF A PERSON BREATHES PROPANE GAS, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS AND WEAKNESS IN THE EXTREMITIES CAN OCCUR. IN SEVERE CASES, PROLONGED BREATHING OF PROPANE-FOULED AIR CAN CAUSE SUFFOCATION. IN THE EVENT OF ILLNESS FROM INHALING PROPANE GAS, MOVE THE VICTIM IMMEDIATELY TO FRESH AIR AND CONTACT A PHYSICIAN OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY PERSONNEL FOR ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION OR OTHER NECESSARY TREATMENT.
^ DO NOT NEEDLESSLY VENT PROPANE FUEL DURING REPAIR AND DO NOT OPEN THE 80% STOP-FILL VALVE WHILE A VEHICLE IS INSIDE A BUILDING. WHEN REPAIRING THE FUEL SYSTEM, FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL TANKS AND RUN THE ENGINE OUT OF FUEL BEFORE DISCONNECTING THE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF THE FUEL TANK(S) ARE BEING REPAIRED, HAVE THE FUEL EVACUATED BY TRAINED PERSONNEL AT A LOCAL PROPANE FUEL STATION. LIQUID PROPANE VAPORIZES AT NORMAL BAROMETRIC PRESSURE AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE -42°C (-44°F), AND EXPANDS TO 270 TIMES ITS VOLUME AS A LIQUID. UNNECESSARY VENTING OF PROPANE FUEL CAN CREATE FIRE AND HEALTH HAZARDS WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
^ BE ALERT FOR SITUATIONS THAT MAY CAUSE THE PROPANE FUEL SYSTEM TO VENT FUEL. THESE INCLUDE EXTREMELY HOT DAYS, PARKING NEAR A SPACE HEATER OR HOISTING A VEHICLE NEAR A CEILING HEATER. RELEASE OF PROPANE FUEL IN A CONFINED AREA THROUGH THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE COULD OCCUR. THE RELEASE OF PROPANE FUEL IN A CONFINED AREA COULD RESULT IN AN ACCUMULATION OF FLAMMABLE VAPORS. IF FUEL IS VENTED NEAR A HEAT SOURCE, A FIRE OR EXPLOSION COULD OCCUR.
^ DO NOT USE PAINT DRYING OVENS FOR PROPANE-FUELED VEHICLES. THE HEAT OF PAINT DRYING OVENS WILL INCREASE THE PRESSURE IN THE FUEL TANKS. THIS COULD CAUSE VENTING OF PROPANE FUEL VAPOR INTO THE OVEN AND RESULT IN A FIRE FROM THE HEAT OR SPARKS IN THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. IF THE FUEL IS CONFINED INSIDE AN OVEN AN EXPLOSION MAY OCCUR. WHEN REFINISHING THE BODY PANELS OF A PROPANE-FUELED VEHICLE, USE SPOT PAINTING AND DRYING METHODS.
^ IF IN A CONFINED AREA, SUCH AS A LUBRICATION PIT, HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO PROPANE GAS, THE AREA SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR ADEQUATE OXYGEN LEVELS BY A LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT BEFORE BEING ENTERED OR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH MAY OCCUR.
^ THE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE MUST BE EVACUATED PRIOR TO TANK REMOVAL. REMOVAL OF COMPONENTS WITHOUT PRESSURE RELIEF OR TANK EVACUATION CAN CAUSE PROPANE FUEL TO ESCAPE INTO THE AIR AND CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.
NOTE: In high ambient temperatures, such as those experienced in desert locations, the fuel system is designed to vent excess fuel vapor pressure. The pressure relief valve will vent fuel and automatically reset itself.
1. Have the fuel tank evacuated at an approved local propane distributor.
2. Relieve the bi-fuel system pressure.
3. Disconnect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to Battery.
4. Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Maintenance/Service and Repair.
5. Remove the heat shield.
1 Remove the bolts.
2 Remove the heat shield.
6. Remove the access cover.
1 Remove the nut and bolt.
2 Remove the cover.
7. Disconnect the electrical connector.
8. Disconnect the fuel supply line from the tank.
NOTE: Loosen the fitting slowly to allow any excess line pressure to vent through the fitting connection.
9. Disconnect the fuel fill line from the tank.
NOTE: Loosen the fitting slowly to allow any excess line pressure to vent through the fitting connection.
10. Support the aft-axle tank with a powertrain lift equipped with a tilting plate.
11. Remove the fuel tank.
1 Remove the bolts.
2 Remove the fuel tank.
NOTE: Powertrain lift removed for clarity.
INSTALLATION
1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
^ Carry out the fuel system leak test procedure. Fuel System Leak Test
^ If necessary, have the fuel tank purged at a local propane distributor.
NOTE:
^ Lubricate a new fuel line O-ring seal with Super Premium 5W-30 Engine Oil meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C153-G or equivalent prior to installation.
^ When tightening the fuel line, a torque wrench adapter must be used with the torque wrench. The use of a torque wrench adapter will alter the effective torque of the torque wrench being used. To correct the effective torque, a torque multiplication conversion must be used.