Author Topic: Fuel Leak! (Read 2875 times)

jmeyer318is · « **on:** September 19, 2007, 07:42:44 AM »

I have a fuel leak coming from somewhere above the gas tank on the driver�s side of the car. I already replaced the flexible fuel hose that runs under the seat from the fuel pump to the steel fuel line under the car, and, unfortunately, it was not the culprit. What is the most likely place the leak is coming from? It only leaks when the car is running, which leads me to believe that the leak is somewhere in one of the fuel lines. When it leaks, I can see gasoline standing on the top of the fuel tank through the round access panel under the back seat on the driver�s side, but I can�t tell where the leak is.

Is there any way to fix this without removing the gas tank?

ak96ss · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2007, 08:43:48 AM »

Best bet is to drop the tank, but you may be able to replace some of those lines through the access panels.

It is probably a dry-rotted fuel line.

sheepdog · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2007, 12:27:47 PM »

Been there done that.
Other than that line, everything up there is steel line. Usually incorporated into the tank itself.

There is a spot on the top right that water can collect and rust through, also the seems on these tanks are not good. Mine had about 3 different leaks when I removed it. There is no way to deal with it without dropping the tank and odds are you need a new one.

Trust me on this, if you are going to drop the tank, buy a new one to put back in. I found mine for $145 shipped 2nd day air.

Why new?
Because dropping the tank is the one of the 3 most difficult things you will ever have to do on this car. The other 2 are rear subframe, and timing chain housing. Oh and be sure to buy a new crossover tube, the old one will probably not come off.

How much of a hassle is the tank....
Put it this way, if my best friend called asking for help, I would probably have plans.

Quick run down.
Remove battery
Drop exhaust
Drop heat sheilds
pull driveshaft
check C.S.B. and guibo, also buy new Guibo bolts, DO NOT re-use them
start disconnecting lower hoses
pull rear seat
pull covers
Take pics of connections, draw diagrams, etc...
pull pump

Drop tank, have a buddy on one side, and use a jack on the other. Lower it part way down, and have the jack man go into the car and remove the last hoses.

Reverse for re-install.

D. Clay · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2007, 01:22:50 PM »

Leaking only when the car is running indicates a pressure leak after the pump. Since the pump is in the tank, I would suspect the rubber line/connections between the pump and the metal line on top of the tank and the metal line and the fuel filter. Could also be the front of the fuel filter rubber section.
That rubber line on top of the tank is a PITA. I took my cordless drill and drilled from the bottom where the rubber line to the fuel filter goes on. Then cut out from the top, a hole big enough to put the line on and tighten the clamp - about 3" diameter. Covered with a sheet aluminum patch and used black weatherstrip adhesive to seal it to the body. There's about 1" between the tank and the floor under the seat shelf.

sheepdog · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2007, 04:38:13 PM »

Missed the part about only when running.
Still could be the lines up there.

I would check the connections at the sending unit.

There is only one pipe coming out of the tank on the front top on the drivers side, mien leaked there as it had rusted though. All other fuel on top will likely be coming from the sending unit.