I know of the gats tank recall for our V6's, but is there anywhere else I need to look?It seems to be some sort of splash panel between the gas tank and exhaust pipe.Do I need to take this off to start my journey on looking for a leak?I have a strong fuel odor whether the tank if full or just about empty.

-Ken

 

it could be anywhere along the drivers side of the car. the lines go from the tank all the way up to the engine. get under there and look for where its dripping from.

 

If it hasn't been in on the NHTSA recall campaign for the fuel filler neck, GO DO IT. It's free. If the dealership tries to say otherwise or weasel its way out of performing the recall service if they cannot prove that it has been done, escalate the situation straight to General Motors and politely complain about that specific dealership refusing to perform your recall service... GM doesn't like lawsuits, they're really happy to serve you when their necks are on the line, and the dealership will be similarly happy after a heated one-sided discussion with a GM representative.

 

Relevant Information Here: http://152.122.48.12/prepos/files/Ar...-94V077-NN.PDF

 

A BIC lighter works well for finding gas leaks. But they are usually not repairable after you find them.

I have and am in the same bucket. Went in circles last year fixing the tank in my wagon. This year I finally installed a drain plug so I can fill it with water and let it sit for days to make sure all the holes are gone.

Its not easy getting a tank empty of water without it. But unless you do water test you have no idea if the leak you found is it. I fixed 90 leaks and found or created more each time. But some BS work is cheaper than the $300 they want for my tank.

Even this year I found a few new holes in the strap area.

Though they do like to rust out on top first as people don't fill the tank all the time and it rust from both ways. inside and out.

 

I am curious about this too... I have a 1990 firebird, and according to that PDF file I am one of the affect vehicles for the recall... But when I called the GM Dealer, they said that my car was not in the database for that recall, and that the only thing I could do is go and get it fixed somewhere, and keep my receipts, and if a recall comes out for that problem, I can get my money back.... what the hell is that?

How do you prove to the dealer that there really is a recall on this gas tank problem?


I'm fairly positive that my car has never been fixed before.. is there any way to tell? I have a leak that seems to come from the top of the tank, drips down the side... not on the bottom... I think its some hose, or connection.... it only leaks when I park at some weird angle and only drips out on the driver side near the tailpipe... (luckily its about 4 inches from the pipe...)

 

1990 firebirds are not covered under any fuel tank related issue.. that PDF covers 91-92 models only. There really is no recall for your car on that issue, likely the fuel sending unit gasket slipped out of place and is the source of the leak. Had your fuel pump replaced recently? If so, return to that shop and complain about them turning your car into a ticking time bomb... otherwise, time to drop the tank and replace that gasket.

 

Try filling the tank up. Then go home, get some "safety glasses" on and jack the car up. My tank always gave me a gas smell because it cracked on the left hand seem. When it was full it leaked, when it was empty a hard corner would cause gas to slosh out.

If its not the tank, check out things like the rubber lines meeting the sending unit lines, and where they meet the lines going front to back.

Another popular place for them to go is under the hood where they run up the frame and along the front frame rails near the brake booster, its a common place for rust and pin holes to start.

If these are not places, you will have to stay under the car and let it run and look for the drip from return, or the spray for the sending line.

 

damn I was trying to look around the gas tank area and the leak is way up there somewhere... like on the top side or something... couldn't tell if it was a hose or fitting or what... sounds like this is going to be a pain in the ***...

I've never taken out a gas tank, and I burned the crap out of myself when I changed the fuel filter... Sounds silly but the gasoline burned me like crazy, most people don't mind it... weird..