Fuel tank crossover issue
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
Fuel tank crossover issue
Purchased 04 Vette 3 months ago. Recently started smelling raw fuel...mostly upon fill up. Also threw a P0455 code which indicates a massive leak in Emission system. Started researching the problem and found the 04 had a consistent problem with the crossover between the 2 tanks leaking at the right side tank, Also found GM finally acknowledged the issue and extended the warranty to 10 years or 100K miles. Mine only has 37K miles, but is out of warranty by 2 years. Dealer wants $5K to repair it. Called GM and they said...tuff. I bought the vehicle from another dealer in NC....I now live in SC, and am working with him (hopefully) to at least reduce the cost.
I have tried to research this but dont seem to find a lot of current info which doesnt suprise me since this is a 13 year old car. I didnt buy the car thinking I would never have to put money into, but didnt think I would have to pay for a $5000 issue that GM admits was defective. Also, dont want to park this thing in my garage due too potential safety issued caused by the fumes. research indicates this thing will eventually start leaking bad enough to run out on the ground under the car. Mine hasnt done that yet, but I can smell the fumes pretty strong when I fill it up. Since this is sort of an old topic, I was hoping some of the members may be able to give me some suggestions or possible avenues to proceed. I am not looking for a free fix, but I am hoping GM or the dealer would meet me half way. Any advice or suggestions from folks having same issue would be greatly appreciated.
I have tried to research this but dont seem to find a lot of current info which doesnt suprise me since this is a 13 year old car. I didnt buy the car thinking I would never have to put money into, but didnt think I would have to pay for a $5000 issue that GM admits was defective. Also, dont want to park this thing in my garage due too potential safety issued caused by the fumes. research indicates this thing will eventually start leaking bad enough to run out on the ground under the car. Mine hasnt done that yet, but I can smell the fumes pretty strong when I fill it up. Since this is sort of an old topic, I was hoping some of the members may be able to give me some suggestions or possible avenues to proceed. I am not looking for a free fix, but I am hoping GM or the dealer would meet me half way. Any advice or suggestions from folks having same issue would be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 3
Thanks to all who replied....just got off phone with dealer I purchased it from. Says he will do the work for $3k....I am not a fan of the dealership either, but want the work done correctly and by someone who hopefully knows what they are doing. Gonna look into corvette speciality shops in the charleston sc area, but I know the work is somewhat extentsive and $3k seems a little more in line....thanks for the info 8vette7...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Thanks to all who replied....just got off phone with dealer I purchased it from. Says he will do the work for $3k....I am not a fan of the dealership either, but want the work done correctly and by someone who hopefully knows what they are doing. Gonna look into corvette speciality shops in the charleston sc area, but I know the work is somewhat extentsive and $3k seems a little more in line....thanks for the info 8vette7...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 768
From: jefferson texas
I don't have an '04 but had the same problem with my '99. Going by what I paid for a new tank and labor, the dealer quote you got is at least twice what it should be. After having mine repaired at my local dealer for about $2500.00, I was referred (belatedly) to a well respected vette shop who advised that they would have been able to do the same job for a good deal less. You might want to contact your local club for a recommended shop and see what they say. Can't hurt and might save you some monies. Good luck with your repair!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
My 04 had same issue and was repaired under warranty. A friend with 01 is having same problem. A local shop has attempted repair but he still has gas smell after fill up. If it was me at this point I would run it to empty. drop the tanks, pressurize them. soap bubble the leak. Patch it with fiber glass and/or epoxy.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 500
From: West Seneca NY
According to the info on the C5 Registry the first FFS car was built on Nov 22. See the link below for starting VIN and starting date info:
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http://www.c5registry.com/MembersOnl...ws/hotnews.htm
Then scroll down to the topic labeled " January 25, 2003" and read.
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If your car has the FFS RPO listed on the tank and was built before Nov 22, 2002 then the only certain way you are going to know which tank system is in the car is to get the car in the air and compare the back of the tanks in the pictures above to yours. FFS system does NOT have access panels on the back of the tanks and you should be fairly easily able to see those with the car up in the air.
Because of the differences in how the two systems operate I would seriously doubt that your car has ONLY the FFS pump system. But you never know.........
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http://www.c5registry.com/MembersOnl...ws/hotnews.htm
Then scroll down to the topic labeled " January 25, 2003" and read.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If your car has the FFS RPO listed on the tank and was built before Nov 22, 2002 then the only certain way you are going to know which tank system is in the car is to get the car in the air and compare the back of the tanks in the pictures above to yours. FFS system does NOT have access panels on the back of the tanks and you should be fairly easily able to see those with the car up in the air.
Because of the differences in how the two systems operate I would seriously doubt that your car has ONLY the FFS pump system. But you never know.........
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,199
Likes: 1,139
From: Santa Rosa Beach FL
Hi,
I'm not at my normal PC so I cannot give you the link to the very lengthy thread here on the Forum about the fuel tank issue on the 04's.
The dealer that quoted $5K for repairs is why dealers in general are referred to as "STEALERSHIPS". Typical out of pocket repair at a dealer is in the $2500 range for parts and labor.
I'm not at my normal PC so I cannot give you the link to the very lengthy thread here on the Forum about the fuel tank issue on the 04's.
The dealer that quoted $5K for repairs is why dealers in general are referred to as "STEALERSHIPS". Typical out of pocket repair at a dealer is in the $2500 range for parts and labor.
note that OP mentioned 8hrs $900 for the job back in '09. Normally a 9hr job per manual per OP post.
Racer
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 403
Likes: 64
I had the P0455 code pop once and not since. Never got smell back since covid but friend in car didn't comment on smell of gas. My vin is within the numbers specified. What's the chance this is a loose ground?
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Moved over to C5 Tech. Old thread but newest post could use an answer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
A thought. Did you recently fill the tank up to full causing the nozzle to auto shut? Sometimes the shut off does not act fast enough and gas is spilled that may cause to throw the code. I had a similar event happen several years ago and had the same code after fill up. Erased the code and took off gas cap for several hours. I now do not fill the tank full. The problem has not reoccurred.
Racer
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 403
Likes: 64
A thought. Did you recently fill the tank up to full causing the nozzle to auto shut? Sometimes the shut off does not act fast enough and gas is spilled that may cause to throw the code. I had a similar event happen several years ago and had the same code after fill up. Erased the code and took off gas cap for several hours. I now do not fill the tank full. The problem has not reoccurred.