MuhThugga

Okay, so on Christmas I took the Camaro for a spin and drive up to the movie theatre to see "Sherlock Holmes." I stopped and filled up the car because the fuel gauge acts erratically and I wasn't sure if I was nearing empty or not (turned out I wasn't).

After getting back on the highway, the car started sputtering and bucking when I tried to give it some gas. I get to the theatre and park it only to see fuel just pouring out by the rear of the car off the lines by the fuel filter.

I go in, watch the movie (great movie), and then have it towed to my cousin's garage. I get under it the next day and can't find where it is leaking from.

The rear end is dropped and I'm about to pull the tank today. I tried siphoning the gas, but I put as much hose as I could in the tank and couldn't get any gas. The gauge reads a tick above empty now and the hose was bone dry when I pulled it out of the tank.

Any bets on what the cause of this leak is? Filler neck? Rotted pump lines?

AlkyIROC

Screwdriver hole in the bottom of the tank?

If you saw fuel coming off the lines near the filter, that's probably where the leak is. Hard line filter of rubber line connections type of fuel filter?

84redta

iTrader: (34)

I would personally leave the gas cap on, take off the fuel filter, and give a shot of compressed air (regulated down to 30-35 psi unless carbed or tbi, then less) on each line, see where it comes out from there.

MuhThugga

That would be an option except my air compressor is not near the car.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

Could always use an old hose and your mouth, but the implied risks are obvious. The other option, if fuel injected, is put 1-2 gallons in the gas tank, put it up on a lift with someone inside, and prime the fuel pump by either shorting out the two terminals underneath the driver side panel, tripping the relay, or by turning the key on for the two second priming. Wear goggles if not full face mask and stand back while underneath. The fuel pump will send fuel through the lines, and you will be able to see immediately where it's from, and if you can move in for a closer look without covering yourself in fuel to see exactly. Then again, it will only take a second, so kicking the fuel pump on for the two second prime will be enough to get fuel on the outside of the lines, and you can shut the car off and go underneath to see what's wet and where it's coming from.

MuhThugga

Here's the weird thing: I tried that and no leaks.

I ran the car on jack stands and drove it with the wheels up in the air. It started sputtering after a few minutes. My cousin watched the undercarriage the entire time and not a single drop spilled.

Hopefully, pulling the tank will solve the mystery.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

If it ran, then it sounds like it's the filler tube possibly. Without the car infront of me it would be impossible and it would just be speculation. Pull the tank and i'm sure it will become more obvious. Good luck, hope it's not the sending unit, they aren't cheap.

MuhThugga

Thanks.

Will know more tonight. Got the car to the point where the tank is ready to be pulled. Dropped the rear Saturday night and then decided it was drinkin' time.

y84pauloflondon

Check with your local dealership, some years of Camaro and Firebirds had a recall on gas tanks due to cracking and leaking problems. Its a Safety Recall, so it doesn't matter how old your car is......as long as YOUR year of car is stated on the bulletin.

MuhThugga

Well, didn't get the tank full out, but got it down enough to look at the top of it. Everything looks like it has been replaced recently up there.

I think I found the problem, though. One of the rubber lines connecting the tank hard lines to the body hard lines is just a simple vacuum hose - NOT a fuel line. So, I'm going to replace those along with the vent check valve thingy and see if that fixes the problem.

By the way, does anyone know where to get a replacement check valve? Is it a dealer-only thing?

Mike1

iTrader: (2)

Did you get the leak fixed? I was wondering what the problem was. I have one from somewhere around the top of my tank.

MuhThugga

Well, it isn't leaking anymore.
However, the car failed inspection because the tank won't hold pressure. So now I'm pulling the tank AGAIN and putting in a new one.

MuhThugga

Got the tank out of the car today, and the culprit for the tank not holding pressure was.....





Drum roll, please....










The filler neck. I know, I know, I know. Everyone is shocked that the filler neck on a 3rd gen gas tank has split at the solder joint. Oh well, new fuel pump and gas tank will be getting installed once I get a new locking ring, and then I'll roll through the Delaware inspection lanes again.

Woo hoo!

84redta

iTrader: (34)

Wasn't there a recall that took care of that?? You should look into it, maybe get a part of a refund on the tank.

MuhThugga

From what I read, it was the 91-92 cars that the recall affected.