Save my baby

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 16 Jul 2022, 06:20

OK, smelled a fuel leak and unfortunately for me, it is coming from the rear of the car. My mechanic said it would take him 4 hours of labor
to get to where the plastic gas tank is. So we are talking over $400 labor there and he told me he could not find a tank anywhere.
So with that said, he would not know even if it was a cracked tank or the fuel pump until he got in there.
He told me a fule tank would cost $700, so I am now at $1,100. Does anyone know of a place I could buy a used fuel tank in decent shape so I would be backed up at least if it is a bad fuel tank?
I can't have this guy tearing the car apart only to tell me it is a bad gas tank and I don't have one to give him.

Post by **abscate** » 16 Jul 2022, 07:15

Get into the trunk , get the plate off under the carpet, and have a look at the top of the fuel tank. That is where they leak.

Sorry to call him/her out, but they should quote you one hour of labor to borescope it and find the leak without disassembly. That tool costs about $30 and should already bee in their toolbox. I have one I can send you, too.

Unless you can see damage to the fuel tank, they wont start leaking up top. Its a very tough nylon reinforced ABS polymer designed by leading swedish engineers in Corning, NY.

Erie has two , check your emission code to match. ELapsed time to search, 15 seconds

Post by **cn90** » 16 Jul 2022, 07:56

Fuel tank likely ok, chances are it leaks at one of the EVAP hoses or fuel supply line.
Can you inspect yourself before buying stuff?

Post by **br0dy519** » 16 Jul 2022, 08:45

Abscate you mean the rear seat? As far as I remember there’s no access hatch in the trunk for any of the EVAP stuff.

Post by **vtl** » 16 Jul 2022, 09:28

EVAP stuff is reachable with the heat shield removed. Carefully lower the exhaust, remove left right wheel, drill out two aluminum rivets, remove the shield.

But you won't smell inside the car. Smell inside the car is fuel pump. 2002 can have a leak in a vicinity of fuel pump. There was a recall. Can fix it yourself.

Post by **jonesg** » 16 Jul 2022, 10:47

Mr. Detail wrote: ↑16 Jul 2022, 06:20 OK, smelled a fuel leak and unfortunately for me, it is coming from the rear of the car. My mechanic said it would take him 4 hours of labor
to get to where the plastic gas tank is. So we are talking over $400 labor there and he told me he could not find a tank anywhere.
So with that said, he would not know even if it was a cracked tank or the fuel pump until he got in there.
He told me a fule tank would cost $700, so I am now at $1,100. Does anyone know of a place I could buy a used fuel tank in decent shape so I would be backed up at least if it is a bad fuel tank?
I can't have this guy tearing the car apart only to tell me it is a bad gas tank and I don't have one to give him.

V70?, very likely the fuel pump top plate. easy DIY job.

Disconnect battery before this job or you will trigger the SRS airbag code.
Remove rear bench seats, the access plate is under there,
with plate removed you will probably find the top of the pump wet with fuel.
Disconnect plugs and lines from the pump and start cleaning with paper towels and carb cleaner until it looks immaculate.

JB weld, the 24 cure version that is impervious to gasoline and chemicais was the one I used 5 years ago.
4 hour set but let it cure 24 hrs.

Watch the video for rear seat removal, its involved but not difficult with regular tools.

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 16 Jul 2022, 12:37

Holy Cow, you guys are great! Maybe I have some hope after all. I sure don't have any disposable cash like $1,100 right now.

abscate, you are correct in that this mechanic does have one of those cameras (Borescope) you spoke of. This mechanic I have only used in emergencies in the past as his labor rates are high but he is right around the corner. I think he is trying to scare me when he said "I would hate to have your car catch on fire". Great!

br0dy519, which is it? Under the rear bench seat or in the trunk area? Need to confirm. Maybe after viewing "Jonesg" video that will tell me for sure.

jonesg, after following your good instructions, and clean up that area, should I turn on the engine again to see where the actual leak is coming from? Or maybe it will be obvious. You mentioned, "very likely the fuel pump top plate". That doesn't sound like an EVAP hose or a fuel supply line. Just wondering which part(s) I will be JB Welding. That video looks like a lot of stuff to remove. I wished I lived closer to the beautiful state of Maine and I would come up and see you.

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 16 Jul 2022, 12:56

jonesg, could not find any "24 cure" version you spoke of on JB Weld"s webpage.

https://www.jbweld.com/products

Post by **cn90** » 16 Jul 2022, 13:23

I agree with @abscate,

Start with the easy stuff first by inspecting the fuel pump area under the seat.
Once you know what is wrong, you can buy appropriate parts.

Post by **June** » 16 Jul 2022, 14:58

Would a 2002 V70 be part of the fuel pump recall for cracked fuel pump assembly? When my fuel pump assembly cracked in 2016 on my production date 05/13/2003 S80 it was replaced free as part of a old recall never performed. The car reeked of fuel fumes suddenly one morning. Worth looking into?! June