I just spent this past weekend getting the filler neck fixed on the tank in my '89 IROC. It was leaking fuel from the area where the filler neck connects to the side of the tank. I had my radiator guy solder that area, and it now has a good, solid seal.

I'm sure everybody has noticed how, especially after you've been driving around for a while, you take the filler cap off and you can hear a brief rush of air sucking in. I used to only get that after I was driving, but now, it will happen even when the car was sitting over night. And it's not just a brief sucking in of air like it used to be--it's like five full seconds (or more) of sucking in. Or at least I *think* it's sucking in air--I suppose it could be blowing air out, too, although I don't know why.

Is this what a good, air-tight gas tank should do?

Thanks

 

This is the tank right after I pulled it. Notice the stains radiating from around the filler neck joint...

 

This is the tank after it had been cleaned and soldered...

 

You might could have gotton a free tank from GM, there was a recall sometime in the early 90's to check for leaking filler necks on some model years cars, my 92 was recalled and they put in a new tank even though they didn't find a leak.

 

i would like to know as well becuz my car has done it sincei got it and i never knew if it was a good thing or a bad thing. Any help?

 

Strange...mine always releases pressure.

 

StangKiller: Already gone down that road .

I found a site on the web which is a big database of automotive recalls (fogot the name), looked up '89 Camaro, and indeed found a "Technical Bulletin" relating to filler neck leaking. I called up my local GM dealer, gave them my VIN, and they came back telling me that my car was not covered under the recall. I still don't understand their reasoning as to why my car, having the exact problem that they recalled and being made in a year that the site said was elegible for a recall, would not be covered. But they wouldn't fix it--and it cost me a whole weekend of labor...

Anyway, the leak is 100% fixed, but I also noticed the sucking sound and was curious as to why it's happening.

 

Does that recall apply to all 3rdGens? ('82 all the way to 92?)

Or at least my '83 Z28?

 

was it www.alldata.com ?

 

jimfulco: Yes, that's the one; thanks!

Air_Adam: Check <a href="http://www.alldata.com">AllData.Com</a> to see if your car is covered under the recall. Then, call your nearest GM dealer and be ready with your VIN to see if they will honor the recall.

Regarding the the vacuum release... I can remember pulling off a hose from one of the lines from the tank that led to a small, plastic mushroom looking thing--I can remember that mine was covered with crud, and it had a spring in it. It simply mounted to a bracket. I wonder if that might be the part responsible for relieving that vacuum, and if mine might be shot.

For the record, the sucking sound doesn't really bother me--I just want to know if it's going to be a problem in itself or not.

 

I had that happen to a friend of mine. He had a '91 Formula, gas leaking from the same spot. Found the recall under http://www.alldata.com , they told him his car wasn't covered. We used a two-part gas-tank repair kit to fill the pinholes. Absolutely ridiculous; you could see the gas dripping, but the dealer told him it wasn't covered. Friggin' weird.

 

The hissing noise when you release the gas cap is normal and should be there. Your tank is creating a vacuum as fuel is being drawn out creating dead air space in tank, the noise is actually air being drawn into the tank to compensate for the difference in atmospheric pressure.

 

Go to a differant dealer. I took mine in this week to the local dealer and they ordered a new tank for my 91 Formula, at no cost to me.

 

Do you know what years that recall applies to. Also if a replacement pump has been installed by someone other than a dealer do you think it would void the recall.

 

Momar,

I know that the first time I brought the issue up, the guy that replied said that his dealer fixed the tank on his '92 car. I also know that AllData thinks '89 is covered, so *possibly* everything between '89 and '92 is covered. But, the bottom line is that the dealer must check your specific VIN against GM's database to see if you are covered.

I doubt that a changed fuel pump will void any warranties as the fuel pump is a separate item from the tank.

 

i've got a good baffled tank from a 91 rs that I'd sell you cheap if you were local. Nobody would ship a gas tank. I'm trying to find a plastic tank from a 99-02 f-body. That way i don't have to worry about it ever rusting out or developing a leak, and they're 11 pounds lighter.
Good Luck.

 

If it makes a sound like it is releasing pressure or "sucking in air" then you have no leak. A leaky tank would make no sound because all of the air has already escaped. It is only possibly for a tank with no leaks to release pressure like that and it is normal, mine does it too.

 

Would an 99-02 tank fit in a third gen without modification?

 

I know for a fact 91-92 are covered, as for the fuel pump they didnt ask about the fuel pump or anything.
Also this is the first time I have ever taken it to a dealer to get work done on it. So I would say it wouldnt void it because its not a warranty its a safty recall.(meaning they F***** UP)

 

Yeah for one thing dealers are d!cks. They do the worst work because they get paid by the book.. If changing a camshaft is listed in their 7 inch thick book of "jobs" as a 6 hour job, they get paid for 6 hours. Now if it took them 9 hours to change the camshaft, they get paid for 6 hours.. So they cut corners in every way they can to turn 6 hour jobs into 2 hour jobs. On top of that, of course they're going to tell you your car isn't covered. Service managers HATE recall and warranty work. They hate it because their technicians have to go do work on a car that the dealership isn't getting any money for. In fact the dealership is PAYING to have work done to your car.

In essence, I would suggest calling different dealers in your area and getting second opinions because when it comes to shops, dealerships are THE ABSOLUTE WORST PLACES to take cars for service.