Dented Gas Tank, now bad gas smell.

[Chapel]

So, the other day, my car started smelling like gas real bad.
Wednesday I noticed that when the rain was running under the car while it was parked, it was carrying some gas with it.
I filled up the tank that day and yesterday I was sick. I got in the car today and it was still full. I moved the car and saw a some gas spots right under where the tank would be.
I took it to one of our shops and there's a HUGE dent in the tank. I have no idea how it got there... I havent hit anything... If I had hit something that tall, the front end of my car would have been destroyed (again)
So, unless snow dented the tank, I'm not sure.
I'm having the shop take a look at it today to see if they can find the leak.
If it comes down to it... I may have to replace the fuel tank ($300 new, $65 used).
The tank is dented on the passenger side near the gas filler inlet.
Anyone got some suggestions?
How difficult do you think it would be to replace the gas tank?

[Obin Robinson]

there are options available to patch the tank (without welding). there's some sealants you can get which will let you stop the gas from leaking. check into that first before you get a new tank.

how hard? not that hard. it's a stinky, smelly, foul job though. buy craploads of Gojo and get ready to let some 4-letter words fly for an afternoon.

obin

[Parklife]

Quote, originally posted by Obin Robinson »

buy craploads of Gojo and get ready to let some 4-letter words fly for an afternoon.

And for the love of God, make sure the tank is nearly empty before you start working on it. A full fuel tank *will* spill its contents everywhere once you remove the fille neck and vent tube.

[Obin Robinson]

Quote, originally posted by Parklife »

And for the love of God, make sure the tank is nearly empty before you start working on it. A full fuel tank *will* spill its contents everywhere once you remove the fille neck and vent tube.

oh yes it will! this is about when the first 4-letter words start to fly. then once you realize that you've drained all the gas out and the pressure is released, you think "well, i guess i'm into this job for the long run!"

ever taken a 30 minute shower and gone through a half-tub of Gojo? that damn gasoline smell takes freaking FOREVER to get out of your arms, and neck, and hair, and shoulders, and chest, and back...

now that i think of it... pay someone else if you have to! let THEM smell like gas for a day or 2.

obin

[Boston Chuck]

Amazing. My 325is developed very similar problems this week. Full tank; parked; noticed gas mixed with rainwater underneath. (creates a beautiful rainbow-effect in the water) My mechanic buddy, who I trust more than myself, said the seals (or something... I'm really bad with details) can rot and leak... not uncommon. Funny coincidence, although I haven't checked for dents in the tank.

The only other time this happened was when a gas station attendant tried to force gas into the tank after the pump shut off, causing a huge spill. He was doing that pump-click-pump thing, if you know what I mean. Gas was gushing out from underneath the car (not from the nozzle), but he just kept on pumpin, trying to make that extra $10 (I guess). I was inside the station, came out, saw the lake of gasoline around my car, and stopped him. He had no clue. When I pointed to the spilled gas at his feet, he said, "That's bad. You should get that fixed."

Grrrrrrrrrrr... it was more than a year ago... can you tell I'm still pissed? Lesson learned: never, ever get gas in New Jersey (full service only). Anyway...

Edit: re-reading my own advice, I don't know anything about gas tanks, so I'll just delete it and defer to those who do and hopefully when you have it on the lift it turns out to be nothing.


Modified by Boston Chuck at 2:45 PM 1-14-2005