Gas tank leaking????

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Jul 7, 2007 | 10:51 AM

GM for life

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Cruising

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From: South Jersey

Gas tank leaking????

Put about 8-9 gallons of gas in the car last nite and parked it in the garage shortly after. Got up in the middle of the night and the whole house smelled like gas. Source turned out to be the car leaking from somewhere around the fuel tank onto the top of the spare tire carrier and then dripping onto the ground in various places at the back of the car. Can't see much so I wondered if there were some usual trouble spots to look at before I just went and dropped the tank. I can see what I'm assuming is the regulator/sending unit assembly at the very back of the tank against the rear splash pan and that all looks dry.

I did a search and saw that the seperator was usually the first place to look on 71 and up but my car is a 70 vert. Any help is appreciated.

Rob

Last edited by GM for life; Jul 7, 2007 at 11:02 AM.

Jul 7, 2007 | 11:02 AM

Duke94

Le Mans Master

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From: Ann Arbor Michigan

Most likly the sending unit or hose connection in the bottom of the tank. This is my 71' Vert.

Jul 7, 2007 | 11:13 AM

GM for life

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Cruising

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From: South Jersey

I was just out there again and the sending unit all looks dry. Maybe it's the rubber line from the sending unit to the hard line. I guess I'll start by dropping the spare tire and carrier as you have pictured.

Thanks.

Last edited by GM for life; Jul 7, 2007 at 11:15 AM.

Jul 7, 2007 | 11:21 AM

schmegeggie

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2007

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From: Salisbury Maryland

I had the same problem. Mine was leaking at the crossmember support, the tank had developed a pinhole leak. Had to replace.
Drop the spare tire carrier and take a look there, you'll probably find the source.
Good Luck, and disconnect the battery before you do anything!

Jul 7, 2007 | 12:43 PM

MarkZ

Intermediate

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Durban KZN

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmegeggie

Yup I had the same problem. I think the car used to live in the country side - rough roads caused the tank to rub through the padding on top of the cross member support .I'm not sure if I did the right thing but I epoxied mine closed.

Jul 7, 2007 | 02:14 PM

ddecart

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You said you put 8-9 gallons in. How full was it at that point? Leaks from the vapor canister aren't uncommon.

Jul 7, 2007 | 02:47 PM

GM for life

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Cruising

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From: South Jersey

Dind,ding,ding,ding....we have a winner!!!!

Had a very,very slow leak that was tough to see at first because once I got the spare tire carrier out of the way it wasn't even leaking/dripping any more. But once a got the tank dry and clean I saw a slightly distorted area and when I rubbed my finger on it I turned it into a large hole rather quickly

. It's about a half inch behind the cross member but it's not touching it so I don't think it was caused by rubbing, and I don't think it's worth trying to patch as where there is one hole caused by rust thru there is bound to be more.

Where is the best and cheapest place to get a tank??