UPDATE: Goodwill Car Donations is currently accepting vehicle donations. Call 866-233-8586 to schedule an unattended FREE pickup. To learn what actions we are taking to ensure you are protected when you donate a vehicle to Goodwill Car Donations, please click here.

4 Signs That You Have a Fuel Leak

Fuel top up | Goodwill Car Donations Photo by Skitterphoto under Pexels License

Leaking Fuel? Here Are the Most Common Signs

If you suddenly smell gas inside your car while driving, you could be dealing with a gas leak. It can be as minor as a small hole in your gas tank. Nevertheless, it can be a major cause of concern that can put you and your passengers in danger on the road. The leaking fuel can ignite, creating a fire or an explosion if the flames make it to the tank.

Fortunately, telltale signs will warn you about this issue before the situation gets worse. If you suspect that there’s a leak in your tank, the following signs will confirm your suspicions:

  1. Strong gas odor

The overwhelming smell of gasoline in your cabin, whether you’re driving or parked, is one of the clearest signs of a leak. Although your fuel system isn’t necessarily airtight, you should not detect any gas fumes inside your vehicle if there’s no leak. In most cases, drivers who do have a leaking fuel tank will notice the odor before anything else.

  1. An unusual drop in the fuel gauge

A huge drop in your fuel gauge, especially if you haven’t been driving, is another common symptom of leaking fuel. However, unless you’re losing a large amount of gasoline, this can be hard to determine.

What you can do here is take note of your gas gauge when you’re parked for the night and check it again first thing in the morning. If you see a difference, then you should make that trip to the repair shop.

  1. Spots of moisture under your car

Another red flag to pay attention to is a small puddle underneath your fuel tank. It can be difficult to detect though as it’s usually translucent. To confirm that leakage is indeed to blame, simply place a piece of cardboard or newspaper beneath your fuel tank to see if any gas leaks on it.

  1. Engine trouble

A fuel leak can affect your engine’s performance. Leaking due to a damaged hose in any of your car’s fuel lines can compromise your engine, resulting in issues such as misfires, stalling, and hard starting. It can prevent your automobile from running at all.

Think Your Car Is in Its Final Days? Give It a Meaningful Retirement!

As long as you regularly check your gas tank to ensure there’s no leak and you follow your car’s maintenance schedule, you have nothing to worry about. However, if your car is facing numerous issues, making it look like it’s beyond redemption, getting your hands off it is a wise choice, especially if all those costly repairs did so little to restore its condition.

The good news is that there’s still a way to put that vehicle to good use. By simply donating it to us at Goodwill Car Donations, you get to help transform the lives of the impoverished disadvantaged men and women in your community — those who are burdened with disabilities, lack of education, job experience, or essential skills, and other limiting personal issues, such as being a former inmate or having a welfare mentality.

Our team will sell your donated vehicle through an auction and hand over the proceeds to the Goodwill organizations serving your area. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofits cater to disadvantaged individuals, using the funding we give them to provide their beneficiaries with job and skills training, employment opportunities, scholarships, livelihood assistance, disability benefits, family support, educational services, financial assistance, and other essential support services.

As a Goodwill donor, you’ll enjoy our fast and free towing service anywhere in the United States. Your donation will also entitle you to claim the highest possible tax deduction in the next tax season. Plus, you don’t have to deal with paperwork anymore. Our donation specialists will gladly do it for you.

Best of all, your act of charity will bring you an immense sense of satisfaction, knowing that you’ll be contributing to the growth and development of your community by empowering your needy fellow residents through work and learning.

We take almost all types of vehicles whatever their ages or conditions. You can donate even a clapped-out car that has defective or missing parts.

If you want more information about our quick and hassle-free donation process, head over to our FAQs page. If you have questions or concerns, call us anytime through our toll-free hotline at 866-233-8586 or contact us here. We’ll respond to you as soon as we can.

Help Transform the Lives of Your Needy Neighbors Today!

Needy Neighbors | Goodwill Car Donations Photo by Nicole Michalou under Unsplash License

A simple vehicle donation can make all the difference in improving the lives of the disadvantaged people in your area. Let’s work together to give them a better future. Call Goodwill Car Donations at 866-233-8586 or click here to begin your donation process now!

 

Last Updated: May 26th, 2023