* * * * DANGER Fuel Leaks - SAFETY RECALL * * * *
07-05-2018, 06:50 PM
#1001
Team Owner
Smelled gas fumes once several months ago but the smell went away.. Yesterday (July 4th) we went out for several hours, got home and parked the Vette (2013 20,200 miles) in the garage. Went in the garage an hour later and the gas fumes just about knocked me over. I opened the garage door to air out the garage. After awhile I backed the Vette out of the garage and left the car outside overnight.
Today I drove to the dealer and explained my problem. They couldn't get it in until Monday to look at it. Drove home and sure enough the smell is back again so out will spend another night outside.
I have an appointment for Monday and they have a loaner ready for me.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Today I drove to the dealer and explained my problem. They couldn't get it in until Monday to look at it. Drove home and sure enough the smell is back again so out will spend another night outside.
I have an appointment for Monday and they have a loaner ready for me.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Last edited by Scuba Ghost; 07-06-2018 at 06:31 AM.
07-06-2018, 06:56 AM
#1002
Team Owner
Report filed with NHTSA (7/6/18). Hopefully 1 more voice with help bring some action.
07-11-2018, 09:45 AM
#1004
Heel & Toe
picked up vehicle from dealer yesterday. They tell me the fuel line came off the passenger side fuel tank.HMMMMMM????? after they just replaced the evap valve. I lost about 13 gallons of gas.
08-10-2018, 11:55 AM
#1006
Gas Tank Leaks Affect ZR1, Z51, and Base C6 Corvettes, as well as C7 Corvettes
Agree with you that this should be a high priority safety recall. It is an issue on C6 and C7 Corvettes, and my local dealer has had to repair several others with the same problem. I contacted GM about it, but they refused to do anything. So, I took your advice and created 3 NHTSA complaints, one for each of my C6 Corvettes. They are all different models from different model years, so it cannot be a coincidence that all three of them developed the same problem GM already did a limited recall for. The gas tank leak causes an overwhelming fuel odor inside the car while driving it, or after shutting it off and housing it in the garage. Even walking by the car is an olfactory experience. The Corvettes filled the inside of my garage with fuel vapors, so I had to move the cars outside, open all the doors, and use heavy duty air mover fans for hours just to get the vapors out. The gas tank leak is especially noticeable in summer when ethanol is added to fuel – it creates a heavy smell of nail polish remover inside and outside the car. Driving with the windows down does not help, but sticking to less than half a tank of gas reduces the smell. The repairs are very expensive, especially for the ZR1. Chevrolet needs to recall and replace this component on all C6 and C7 Corvettes.
Update: The NHTSA representative recommended a complaint the Better Business Bureau, as well as the FTC (Fair Trade Commission). You may also want to do the same, especially if you paid for this repair.
Side Note: The fuel vapor issue is also affecting other GM products, and there is a notice out for their pickup trucks as well. Defective plastic and/or manufacturing seems to be the root cause.
Update: The NHTSA representative recommended a complaint the Better Business Bureau, as well as the FTC (Fair Trade Commission). You may also want to do the same, especially if you paid for this repair.
Side Note: The fuel vapor issue is also affecting other GM products, and there is a notice out for their pickup trucks as well. Defective plastic and/or manufacturing seems to be the root cause.
Last edited by ZStorm; 08-15-2018 at 09:08 PM. Reason: Additional information
The following 2 users liked this post by ZStorm:
Carvin (09-05-2018),
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09-05-2018, 06:57 PM
#1007
With 954 posts so far, has anyone developed an idea of what years are most affected by this issue? Since even the '13 is almost 5 years old, I would think there would be an idea about what range of years have the most problem, and which have the lease.
Or, if it is a problem that takes 8-10 years to show up, or x number of miles, then it might be a problem which can affect any year C6...
Or, if it is a problem that takes 8-10 years to show up, or x number of miles, then it might be a problem which can affect any year C6...
Last edited by abusdriver; 09-05-2018 at 07:49 PM.
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rajahhindi (09-11-2018)
10-03-2018, 08:42 AM
#1008
Team Owner
I'm looking at an 07 C6 and stumbled across this thread. It sounds like a significant problem. Seems 08 and newer are the year models mostly affected? Or is it more the age of the car?
Any way to tell if the leak is present other than topping off the tank? Makes we want to take a hard second look at actually buying this car.
Any input at all would be appreciated. Thanks, guys.
Any way to tell if the leak is present other than topping off the tank? Makes we want to take a hard second look at actually buying this car.
Any input at all would be appreciated. Thanks, guys.
Last edited by Capt. Shark; 10-03-2018 at 11:37 AM.
10-03-2018, 03:22 PM
#1009
Drifting
All cars have problems and this forum makes Corvette owners more aware of what they are. I have had some of the major problems including the fuel leak, harmonic balancer and the shift cable bushing. I still think this is the best car I have ever had.
10-04-2018, 09:10 AM
#1010
Team Owner
The dealer that has the car I'm looking at (in St. Louis) filled the gas tank yesterday and reported no gas smell or obvious leaks......for what that's worth. Also, according to Chevrolet VIN records that particular service bulletin has not been accomplished. I don't know, still kind of leery of it.
10-11-2018, 11:55 PM
#1011
Melting Slicks
There has been action in that GM extended the warranty to ten years. I had the service done on my car a year ago when I smelled gas after the car sat in the garage with a full tank. Since cars are not blowing up or catching on fire due to the droplets of fuel vapor, I would not categorize this as a safety issue.
Last edited by Bob Paris; 10-11-2018 at 11:56 PM.
10-16-2018, 06:44 PM
#1012
Advanced
Filled up my 2006 a few days ago and the whole cabin smelled like gas. I was really hoping for a cheaper explanation 
Any idea what a dealership is going to charge me to fix it? Is this something an independent shop can do?
Any idea what a dealership is going to charge me to fix it? Is this something an independent shop can do?
10-16-2018, 07:10 PM
#1013
Drifting
Dealer charged me $1900.00. I was 2 1/2 months outside of the 10 year window for GM to pay for it. 
Dealer knows about it and how to fix it that is why I went that route and not an independent.
Dealer knows about it and how to fix it that is why I went that route and not an independent.
10-28-2018, 09:39 AM
#1014
Melting Slicks
I don't believe the crossover tube is the culprit here. That was an issue on previous year model cars but has been fixed. The problem seems to be related to cracks in the plastic at the top of the fuel pump and/or fuel sending unit causing leaks. GM did not use good plastic in the pumps, and as the plastic ages, it gets brittle and cracks. This is why it is suddenly starting to show up on 08 cars now. The plastic is aged to the right amount that the problem is starting to appear more often. I suspect the 09's may start to show the same problem in another year or so.
And just to clarify, it isn't the tanks that are cracking. It is the plastic in the FUEL PUMPS where the fuel fittings attach to them.
In the automatic cars, you have to pull out the transmission, rear end, and entire rear suspension and mufflers to get the drivers side tank out. GM charges around 11 hours labor or more just to pull the tank. It is a huge job.
And just to clarify, it isn't the tanks that are cracking. It is the plastic in the FUEL PUMPS where the fuel fittings attach to them.
In the automatic cars, you have to pull out the transmission, rear end, and entire rear suspension and mufflers to get the drivers side tank out. GM charges around 11 hours labor or more just to pull the tank. It is a huge job.
10-28-2018, 09:57 AM
#1015
Race Director
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If it is the dreaded fuel pump plastic cracking, GM has a tsb that covers this problem ( 15682 ) If your car is less than 10 yrs old & has less than 120,000 miles, GM will repair this issue for free. Check with your dealer before you pay for this repair
11-06-2018, 07:32 PM
#1017
Melting Slicks
If your Corvette has had a problem with fuel smell coming from the car after you fill the tank, YOU NEED TO GO TO THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND FILL OUT A COMPLAINT.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml
This issue seems to be reported most often on 2008 Corvettes, but it may also impact other year models.
This issue is very serious. Fuel leaks out the top of the tanks, and will then drip down the back side onto the hot exhaust. If ignored this could result in a fire and possible death.
If parked overnight in a garage, the vapor will fill the garage and could easily be triggered into an explosion and fire from a gas water heater or other ignition source.
I can't park my C6 in my garage without it filling the entire garage with fumes so strong that I can't even keep my dogs in there. The vapors then seep into the house. The car is unsafe to drive, and unsafe to leave parked.
This is a safety defect, and if GM doesn't recall these cars and fix them, it is eventually going to result in someones car burning up and possibly burning down their house as well. The potential for loss of life is very high, and the problem that causes this needs to be found and fixed before someone dies from it.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml
This issue seems to be reported most often on 2008 Corvettes, but it may also impact other year models.
This issue is very serious. Fuel leaks out the top of the tanks, and will then drip down the back side onto the hot exhaust. If ignored this could result in a fire and possible death.
If parked overnight in a garage, the vapor will fill the garage and could easily be triggered into an explosion and fire from a gas water heater or other ignition source.
I can't park my C6 in my garage without it filling the entire garage with fumes so strong that I can't even keep my dogs in there. The vapors then seep into the house. The car is unsafe to drive, and unsafe to leave parked.
This is a safety defect, and if GM doesn't recall these cars and fix them, it is eventually going to result in someones car burning up and possibly burning down their house as well. The potential for loss of life is very high, and the problem that causes this needs to be found and fixed before someone dies from it.
11-06-2018, 08:15 PM
#1018
Melting Slicks
2009 C6 with 16K just started smelling like fuel in the cockpit. It began to occur while driving and the tank was less than half full. Took it to the dealer for two recalls and they said to fix, they need to remove transmission (automatic), t-tube, part of the suspension and basically dismantle the area around the driver's side fuel tank to repair this. Quoting about $2600 to repair. Anyone have this done at the dealer, and did Chevy pick up any of this repair? Seems to be a defective piece of plastic to me. NOT HAPPY about this.
Workbench report
11-06-2018, 08:34 PM
#1019
Melting Slicks
Expiration of Special policy 15682 is ten years from the in-service date of the specific vehicle or new car delivery mileage on the odometer, plus 120,000 - whichever comes first - in your case it would be 3/23/2019
Last edited by Bob Paris; 11-06-2018 at 08:37 PM.
11-06-2018, 08:35 PM
#1020
Melting Slicks
2009 C6 with 16K just started smelling like fuel in the cockpit. It began to occur while driving and the tank was less than half full. Took it to the dealer for two recalls and they said to fix, they need to remove transmission (automatic), t-tube, part of suspension and basically dismantle the area around the drivers side fuel tank to repair this. Quoting about $2600 to repair. Anyone have this done at the dealer, and did Chevy pick up any of this repair? Seems to be a defective piece of plastic to me. NOT HAPPY about this.
Last edited by Bob Paris; 11-06-2018 at 08:38 PM.