I filled up my gas tank this week. After running some errands, I noticed gas dripping down, from the back of the tank.

I jacked the car up and as I said, the leak seems to come from the top of the tank, dripping down at the rear of the tank, in no particular concentrated place.

After starting the car, it seems to start leaking. After shutting the engine off. It will stop dripping after a little while.

I am pretty mechanical, but not pretty! I haven't dropped a tank before.

Can you give me some insite to what this might be?, and or what I might need to do?
Today, I plan on taking out the rear seats and side panels, to check this first, them probably taking off the tank.

Also, I probably will get a pump or siphone deal before I drop the tank.

I have the general manual, and have the factory manual ordered, and on the way.

Thanks for your help!

TH

 

Take out the backseat, remove brass plate, and see if the leak is coming from your fuel pump area. If not, then pull the tank. I pull at least four tanks a week, it's not hard, make sure you're out of gas though.

 

Very good info. Thanks

What is the best way to empty the tank? Should I buy one of those siphone deals, or just unscrew the plug from the bottom(I think there is one there)?

Thanks for your quick reply.

TH

 

if you got a large container like a couple of 5 gallon water bottles, then just drain it into there.

 

Here is an update;

I drained the tank and pulled the seats and panel underneath to inspect.

Looks like the tank is just major corroded(rusted). The car sat for a while.

The problem now; The nuts(not mine) you need to take off to drop the tank are so gone and rusted, I won't be able to use conventional method of removing.

I cleaned the threads and used a wire brush to no avail.

I think I am just going to use a hacksaw and saw the mounts off, then just reweld some back on when I replace the tank.

Any other thoughts would be welcome before I tear into this.

Thanks

 

By "mounts" do you mean the two long bolts/nuts that hold the straps onto the body? You do know that you can get new ones for like 2 bucks at a wrecker?

And here's some advice: lower the tank halfway with a jack when you get the straps off, and then take off the main fuel line (17mm wrench) and the return lines, vapor lines (Be CAREFUL to not pull on the lines too hard, you could mess the attachments up like I did). Then undo the filler neck and the vapour line that go up to where you pour the gas in, and drop the tank. Push the tank away from where the filler hose goes and the line goes and they should come off easily like that. Much easier than trying to wrestle them off. When you have the tank off, replace all the stupid squeeze hose clamps with screw on types. Trust me.


[Modified by Mr. S, 1:27 PM 3/7/2003]

 

Mr S has it out lined .....

The hardest part is the straps if they are rusted....
I had trouble with the fuel hose from the fuel pump that goes into a fitting on the frame on the drivers side

 

Yeah, you're probably talking about the return line. When I tried to yeank mine out, it started leaking from the fitting I zap strapped it... we'll see what happens

 

Quote;
By "mounts" do you mean the two long bolts/nuts that hold the straps onto the body? You do know that you can get new ones for like 2 bucks at a wrecker?

Mr. S, exactly, They are rusted beyond repair.

So those long bolts will just slip out?!

If this is the case, then my job will be much easier.

The straps are also rusted along with the hose clamps and crap. I will take care of that stuff also.

Thanks for your help!

I feel better now.

 

No problem man

The stud and strap can be taken off as one piece. You may have to cut the studs off, because the further the nut goes down, the lower the tank goes, so you'll have to figure out some way to get them off. The stud curls up at the top, so you have to push the stud up and unhook it. unfortunately, the only way to do that is to unscrew the nut (unless you wanna support the tank, and somehow cut the strap from the back

 

Thanks again Matt and others!

 

Let us know how it goes!