Took 1999 Grand Caravan in for gas leak dripping from fuel tank only while engine was running (mechanic said it was from the fuel filter/fuel line). Also noticed the exhaust pipe outlet had a coating of carbon black on the inside indicating the engine is running rich, though no obvious smoke or gas smell in the exhaust. Mechanic wanted to change the coolant temperature sensor, noting that bad coolant temp sensor data to the engine computer can result in improper fuel mixture. Sounds reasonable. Is he onto something? The engine otherwise seems to run just fine. I wish I had as much faith in my leaky transmission.....200K and still hanging in there (fingers crossed). Thanks.

filter and pump are located in the gas tank. should be access to it under back seat of carl, in trunk or you have drop the tank. pull codes at autozone to make sure its not something else like injector or vacuum leak

Get a good mechanic to check the whole fuel supply system!
Is the filler hole that side? Fuel being a liquid can travel along surfaces so where it drips might not be where it's leaking.
The most common reasons for a fuel leak will be-
-a split or punctured fuel line.
-a loose or damaged filler neck joint.
-a loose fuel filter or it's housing.
It will be worth getting the fuel tank itself examined for damage as some older cars still used metal tanks.

I had a 1999 Grand Caravan 3.3L and never had this problem and I lived in Fla. at the time but other vehicles that I've seen this problem in. First, is this vapor lock between the gas tank and the engine or in the engine compartment? If it's between the gas tank and the engine, you might have a rusted pin hole in the steel fuel line or sometimes there might be a section or rubber line in the fuel line where there might be movement in the system. If so, look for a rotted hose or a wet spots on the fuel line from the gas tank to the engine compartment. A tiny pin hole can leak gas out and/or air in and if it's small enough the gas can evaporate before it hits the ground. If it has started locking up in the engine compartment only after all these years, I'd have the fuel pump pressure checked. If this is the case and if it hadn't vapor locked since 1999, up until now the fuel pressure has been adequate to keep the fuel in it's liquid state in the heated environment of the engine compartment. If the pressure has gone low and the fuel line is bolted to something hot like the water pump, for example, like it was on my 1968 307 Chevy Bel Air, the fuel will boil hence, vapor lock. If this is your problem and you can't get it fixed right away, follow the fuel line up from the frame and look for it to be routed, again, near / onto something hot. If you can get it loose and away from the hot area without kinking the steel tube, this may help for a while. I don't know you or how much you know but I would advise against cutting the line and adding rubber hose as clamping a hose to a smooth steel line will eventually leak
and possibly cause a fire. If you know what you're doing or know someone who does, you could use a flairing tool and add more steel line if necessary. In any case, be careful. In the long run, it is always better to repair it or have it repaired properly. Good luck. Jeff M.

might be the RETURN line back to tank, most overlooked fuel line in the world, sends unburnt fuel & FUMES back to tank & or engine, recycled fuel. these lines rust, rot, subject to salt corrosion, etc., OR, vapor leaks from the evaporativeemissions control system (charcoal canister filter clogged) check condition of all hoses (vacuum) and fuel ...... or your main fuel line is leaking you just can't see it without a complete, thorough inspection !!!!! is fuel fliter leaking @ filter? connections ......

LOOK FOR FUEL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.CHECK FUEL LINES.TO FUEL RAILS.AND CHECK FOR FUEL LEAKS AT FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR.LOOK UNDER CAR FROM FRONT TO REAR TO FUEL FILTER TO FUEL TANK LOOK FOR FUEL DRIPPING.IF YOU FIND NO LEAKS.YOUR EVAP CANISTER NEXT TO FUEL TANK FULL OF GAS OR EVAP CANISTER HOSES DISCONNECTED OR BROKEN.DONT DRIVE VECHICLE UNTIL YOU FIND FUEL LEAK.NOT SAFE.

Hello,

To replace the fuel filter of Your 1999 grand voyager, please follow the steps below, You will be in need of these instruments, Line wrench set, 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set, Replacement fuel filter kit.

1. Park the 1999 Grand Voyager in a ventilated area and engage the emergency brake,
2. Walk to the back of the 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager and completely unscrew the gas cap from the fill neck on the gas tank. Taking the cap off will remove the pressure in the fuel filter.
3. Jack the back of the 1999 Grand Voyager up and put the jack stands under the rear jack points. Slowly release the jack so that the van is sitting evenly and securely on the jack stands.
4. Slide under the passenger-side rear of the van behind the tire. Locate the fuel filter that is mounted to the upper part of the gas tank. This type of fuel filter has three fuel lines coming out of it.
5. Position the drip pan under the gas tank in the general vicinity of the fuel filter. Using a clean rag, compress the fuel lines on the ends. The fuel lines are held to the fuel filter by a plastic clip. Compressing the end of the fuel line will unlock the fuel line from the clip. Pull out on the fuel lines. Do this to all three of the fuel lines.
6. Remove the bolt from the fuel filter bracket with the 3/8-inch drive ratchet and a 3/8-inch drive socket. Then, pull the fuel filter out of the bracket and put it into the drip pan.
7. Position the new fuel filter into the bracket. Screw the mounting bolt in and tighten it down tight with the ratchet and socket.
8. Push all three fuel lines onto the appropriate fuel filter ports. Hook the fuel lines to the same fuel filter ports that they were hooked to on the old filter.
9. Pull the drip pan out from under the van. Screw the gas cap back onto the fill neck of the gas tank until it clicks. Then, turn the ignition key on and off five different times. Crank the engine on the fifth turn of the ignition. Inspect the new fuel filter for leaks while the engine is running. Then, turn the engine off.
10. 1999 Grand Voyager back up and pull the jack stands out from under the van. Lower the van back to the ground and slide the jack out.

Hope this helped. Thank You for using FixYa!!!

Under vehicle, driver side, below seating area, front of fuel tank, mounted on frame rail in fuel line

P1494 is the code for the leak detection pump and or system, which is part of the early evaporative emission system. (Fuel tank fumes)

It's there to allow the computer to run an integrity test of the fuel tank, lines and carbon canister's ability to contain all of the fumes coming from the tank and all line associated with the system.

The code could be set for a number of reasons such as a faulty gas cap, cracked vacuum lines, solenoids & vent valves stuck to the pump itself.
It can be a very difficult fault to cure being it doesn't take a very big leak anywhere in the system to set the code and that's if it's a leak and not an electrical or mechanical fault.

1. Could be changing the fuel filter
2. Leaking injector
3. The gas cap (tank gas input) is clogged - Gas tank does need some air
4. Pressure check you gas line - should be in the 20s and hold steady for hours. Could be slow leak