Fuel Tank: Description and Operation

Fuel Tank and Lines

2.5L and 3.0L vehicles







Fuel Tank
The fuel tank is of a plastic construction and is retained to the vehicle by two steel support straps. The fuel tank support straps are mounted onto the underside of the vehicle chassis towards the rear of the fuel tank and bolt to the vehicle towards the front of the fuel tank. Fuel tank ventilation is achieved through two fuel tank roll-over valves into an evaporative emission canister which absorbs fuel tank vapor. The fuel tank roll-over valves are integral to the fuel tank and will prevent fuel loss from the fuel tank if the vehicle becomes inverted. A fuel level valve is also incorporated into the fuel tank to prevent fuel overfilling, this allows the fuel tank to maintain adequate space for expansion of the fuel. USA market vehicles only are fitted with leak check diagnostics which detect leaks in the fuel vapor system using signals from a vapor pressure sensor mounted on the fuel tank.

Fuel Filter
The fuel filter is of a conventional construction being that of a paper element sealed within a steel canister. The fuel filter is located in front of the fuel tank, on the right-hand side of the floor plan.

Fuel Tank Filler Pipe
The fuel tank filler pipe is of a steel construction and is retained to the vehicle by means of three retaining nuts, one retaining the filler neck to the body and two nuts retaining the filler pipe to the vehicle chassis. The fuel tank filler pipe is fitted with a screw turn filler cap, which seals the system.

Inertia Fuel Shutoff (IFS) Switch
The inertia fuel shutoff (IFS) switch is designed to cut power to the fuel pump in the event of an accident. The shutoff switch is located behind the right-hand cowl side trim panel.

Fuel pumps
The fuel pump is an electric turbine pump which is located inside the fuel tank. The fuel pump module features an integral fuel tank sender unit and is fixed to the fuel tank by means of a locking ring.

On 2.5L and 3.0L vehicles the fuel tank is of a saddle design, a fuel pump module and a transfer pump module are incorporated. The fuel pump module, located in the right-hand saddle, transfers high pressure fuel (low flow) to the left-hand side of the fuel tank. The transfer pump module, located in the left-hand saddle, then transfers low pressure fuel (high flow) towards the right-hand fuel pump and the engine.