I've been working with the dealer to get my tank replaced. They inspected it and definitely said that they will replace it for me under the recall because of the crack in the filler neck, but would need some time to locate a tank. Well, this morning I got a call from a GM(not the dealership I'm working with, an actual GM representative) that said that GM no longer has any of these tanks in stock and that if I want the tank replaced, I'm going to have to pay for the tank myself and then the dealership MIGHT be willing to put it in free, but has no obligation to do so. Is this legal?? I thought GM had to honor this recall still? why is it my fault that they no longer stock the gas tank? Is there anyone I can go to higher than GM? should I file a complaint with NHTSA? Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated.

I think it most likely that Government Motors is a wall you can bang your head against or find inner peace/acceptance and don't. But let us know.

Yeah I kinda thought as much... It's just frustrating. Anyone else think differently? Or should I just suck it up and buy the damn tank. I saw one on classicindustries.com . does anyone have experience with this tank? it's slightly smaller than the one in the car now. 15 gallons I think instead of 16.

Stock tanks are 15.5 gallons. You can get more in them tho. Sooo its just a bit of mis information about tank capacity.
Now on the recall, I *think* your VIN had to fall within a certain number range for 1991-1992? cars to get the tank.
I just tried to get a new tank also was told pretty much the same thing.
I got very lucky and found a GM PSI tested, inspected tank in the junk yard !!!!

yup my VIN is included in the recall. Been verified through GM, inspected for the crack, and then was told that I would get a tank. I was then told that I would not get a tank. BS. they could have at least warned me from the beginning that I would have to get my own and not get my hopes up.

Call the NHTSB.

It wouldn't hurt GM to do a run of 100-200 tanks..

Check the following link, which includes the info below.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...allprocess.cfm

Are there any limitations on my right to have a recalled vehicle remedied at no charge?

"Yes. There is a limitation based on the age of the vehicle. In order to be eligible for a free remedy, the vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance is determined. Under the law, the age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of sale to the first purchaser. For example, if a defect is found in 2003 and a recall ordered, manufacturers are required to make the correction available at no charge only for vehicles purchased new in 1994 through 2003. However, consumers should realize that even though manufacturers are not obligated to remedy safety defects in older cars, a safety problem might still exist. If you receive notification of a defect on a vehicle older than 10 years, take the responsibility to have your car repaired at your own expense – and eliminate unnecessary safety risks.

"Also, if the manufacturer challenges the agency’s final decision of a safety defect, there is no obligation for the manufacturer to remedy the defect while the case is in court. If you decide to have your vehicle remedied at your own expense while the case is pending and the court upholds NHTSA’s final decision, you may be entitled to reimbursement. (Be sure to save all receipts and paperwork so that you can prove the repairs were made.) However, if the court ultimately rules the defect is not safety related, Federal law does not require that the manufacturer reimburse you for the repair work."

JamesC

Alright well, an update. Went to the dealer, and the guy I've been working with said that he would contact the district manager and see how to proceed. I'm not expecting much, but given the fact that they aren't obligated to help me at all according to the last post, I really do appreciate them doing all this for me. Never thought I'd say this, but the guys at this dealership don't seem half bad. Here's hoping the District Manager is as cool as the guys I've been working with thus far.

Mine leaks too when I fill it up all the way. So I don't

Just put some JB Weld on it. Seriously. The '91-'92 tanks are worth saving because they all have the 1LE baffling inside. If you're gonna drop the tank, then also buy some etch and some seal, make the inside like new again. I've fixed nearly a dozen leaking tanks with JB, it's ideal for this.

hmmm. Not a bad idea. it did cross my mind, but I had always heard jb weld was garbage. I still think I'll wait and see if I can get that new tank, but if not then yeah I'll definitely just do that instead. At least then I wouldn't have to worry about blowing myself up every time I smoke because the gas fumes are so strong.

You can take the tank out and have it re-silver soldered at most any old school rad shop.

I figured it would be fairly simple to have someone else solder it. I'm more just trying to avoid having to drop the tank my self. it's my only car so I can't afford to have her outa comission anytime soon, especially since I've never done it before. part of the draw of having gm do it is that they would also let me have a free loaner car per the recall paperwork, so that would be awesome. but if it comes down to it I'll just take a day off and learn how to take it out I guess lol.

Be careful, you'll have to drop the rear to get the tank out. That's why some people decide to cut holes in the rear cargo floor to change full pumps(injected cars), they don't want to drop the rearend to get the tank out.

Just buy a fuel cell to put in your trunk, and yes JB Weld is garbage if you use it on anything that has more than 2 lbs of pressure.

Having the neck re-soldered is a good option to trying to find a new tank. Sometimes used ones are just as bad as the one you're trying to replace.

Sometimes you can get the tank in/out by just unbolting the shocks from the rear end. This allows the rear end to drop down enough to get the necessary clearance.

I just checked Rock Auto. You can still get aftermarket fuel tanks for less than $200 (less shipping).

That's really dumb, you're compromising the rear crush zone. Look at a few rear-totalled third-gens, you'll see how important it is to keep that structure intact. If yours is cut, plan on dropping the tank and getting it welded. Or do you prefer to have your kids killed by a drunk tailgater?

You have to remove the rear section of the exhaust system and detach the shocks from the rear axle, letting the axle hang down as far as possible. Be sure to detach the brake line bracket from the chassis so you don't stretch the rubber brake hose. I have not had to remove the axle completely on any of several tank drops that I have done on 3rd gens. The exhaust is the hard part.

I would go to the JY and grab a nice rust free tank (from a 91-2 car because of baffles) and sending unit (they go 4 $35 complete where I'm at) then have it psi tested and or resoldered if it needs it.

uh oh



there...fixed. might be the best way out...

twin_turbo....how did you solder or weld a tank with gas fumes.....I will guess it could be washed out with soap and water first.......

I was thinking about using that quick steel stuff seems really strong when its dry.

Drain fuel, fill with water.

FastSteel is good stuff, no doubt, but I have no experience with it surviving continuous exposure to gasoline. I KNOW the JB will do this job.

Agreed on the JB (or whatever the Aussie equivalent over here was I used). I removed the wheel well access cover and managed to spooge some in for giggles before committing to a tank drop, and I'll be damned - it worked and has held up for best part of a year now so far.

I understand you are new and want you contribute but you need to quit posting nonsense. I'm seeing this from you on a lot of threads. Next time ask yourself if you really know what you are talking about before you give advice.

ok guys so guess what? I got a call from the dealership, and they found a tank! They said it'll be here in a week or two and they will give me a call back again when it comes in. So IM GETTING MY TANK! lol I know, no caps, but I'm excited haha. Finally something going right with this car! Hopefully it's the start of a whole line of somethings going right. I'll keep everyone posted on the progress as time goes on.

Hot da-m-n!! thats cool to hear!

Here is a pic of the GM PSI tested tank I found in the junkyard for $35

right on man that works . I was thinking about going to a junkyard to try and find one. But I think yours was probably a pretty rare find. I was worried a yard tank would have the exact same problem. plus, there was the matter of getting it out, and getting it on my car. Sooo happy someone will do this for me. plus, I get a free rental car while they fix it

Well, everything went through as expected. Glad to say I now have a shiny new gas tank in my car that actually holds pressure like it is supposed to! The dealer was very helpful, and got it done same day. also gave me a free day enterprise rental. Feels good that this finally got taken care of. And I'm hoping this also solved my screaming fuel pump problem too. pump has been silent so far!

"cannot be more than 10 years old on the date the defect or noncompliance is determined. " --- This means that the car must be under ten years old AT THE TIME THE RECALL IS ISSUED, not under ten years old when the work is performed. As long as the car is under 10 years old at date of issue of the recall, the recall is valid for the life of the car.

Do NOT let a dealer use this to screw you. The recall was issued in 1994 so YES it is still valid and the work is to be done for FREE.

recalls can expire, regardless of the age of the vehicle. Also, considering that gm has discontinued nearly every part for a third gen, i really dont see them giving you a free gas tank. Our cars are too old to look up on VIS, so I cant tell you for sure if it expired or not. I just wouldnt hold your breath hoping they give you something for free.

Good to know, I saved a 91 tank for no apparent reason. I always wonder why my tank leaked sometimes. I just stopped topping her off.

Some recalls can expire. Safety recalls, however, are good for the life of the 'product'. This means cars, tennis *****, anything.

Straight from the NTSB- "Owners should have the recall work completed as soon as possible. Recalls involving tires are specifically limited in the Safety Act such that the owner must have the recall work completed within 60 days of receiving notification that it must be done. All other safety recalls are in effect for the life of the product."

A dealer can try to tell you otherwise, but if they do they are wrong. Follow the steps outlined above or on the NTSB website and it WILL be remedied.

Our cars are NOT too old to look up. The service department at Starling Chev in Deland, FL punched in my VIN and the recalls came up.

My free gastank was ordered last week. :-)

i think not.. i have uesd jb weld on a cracked block at the water pump on a 92 saturn never leaked again. js

I'm going to get this checked out. My dads a professional mechanic and he has his own shop so We know a Chevy Dealer and I'm going to try to just get the Tank for free and put it in with my dad. it'd be easier that way since my car is apart at home and I'm restoring it.

go and try it, I got my free tank. took a little pushing and arguing but I got it

That post means if the car was more than ten years old when the recall came out then its up to your to fix the problem but since this recall came out in 1994 and the oldest the car would have been in 4 years it's still falls under free replacement.

I need a new gas tank. Will look at Rock Auto...

For the cost of a new one, unless you've got a carb'd car, I'd just be getting a 99+ tank, plastic, better baffling, lighter.

I'm just going to say it. It doesn't work. When I took the tank out, the lines run in a way that even if you cut a hole in the rear cargo floor, you still won't be able to get the fuel pump out.

While I hate the idea of cutting the floor, guys do it. They also cut the lines and install rubber hose and clamps..