Gas leak at pipe coming out of tank

[imidazol97]

My 1998 has a gas leak coming from the area where the pipe coming from the tank meets the plastic snapon fitting. The pipe is rusted pretty badly, so I'm assuming the leak is through the metal that's part of the sender pipes coming out of the tank.

What's the best sender to put in? Delco? I see Rockauto has other brands that are much cheaper?

[BillBoost37]

I've put in many different brands, the most recent was the lower priced Rockauto. All seem to fit well and work. Delco is usually a higher quality with less sharp edges and little refinements vs the lower cost ones.

[imidazol97]

I've put in many different brands, the most recent was the lower priced Rockauto. All seem to fit well and work. Delco is usually a higher quality with less sharp edges and little refinements vs the lower cost ones.

Was that the Spectra brand. Substantial difference in price.

How hard is it to get the tank down between the converter shield and pipe shield at the front and the tailpipe angling across the back of the tank.

Also how did the get fuel out of the tank? I tried to put in a plastic vinyl tube I have, but I couldn't get it all the way down.

[93RedSled-SSE]

Was that the Spectra brand. Substantial difference in price.

How hard is it to get the tank down between the converter shield and pipe shield at the front and the tailpipe angling across the back of the tank.

Also how did the get fuel out of the tank? I tried to put in a plastic vinyl tube I have, but I couldn't get it all the way down.

When I did my 93, I backed the rear up on ramps, dropped the exhaust & unhooked the pipe at the manifold (it's going to ruin the o-ring gasket anyway, so might as well do it and make it easier on yourself). On draining the tank, you only have 2 choices that I know of 1) drive it until almost empty 2) pump it out by disconnecting line at engine, putting on a tube and using the test lead near the battery to run the pump.... or a combination of 1 & 2. Siphon hose wouldn't work on my 93 either. Maybe somebody has a trick up their sleeves to share, but the above is my "real life."

[BillBoost37]

I have a Spectra on my car. It's working fine.

I like Red's ideas on getting fuel out, except it's your supply line that's leaking right?

I've unhooked exhaust and also left it up. Not much difference either way except you'll have to dip the driverside of the tank where the fill tube is less if you unhook the exhaust. Have a fresh set of straps and bolts on hand for the swap and return them if you get lucky. One more tip, disconnect the hoses at the top or filler neck (metal tube from gas cap). While it will fight slightly more this added hose will keep you from spilling fuel as well.

[irkwerks2]

I also used the Spectra brand on my 99 and it fits and works fine.

Definatly have new straps and longer bolts on hand when you do this.

I let my exhaust hang. Unhook the two universals in the rear and the O ring hangers at the resonator. Prop it up slightly with a jack so as to not crack any welds.

[92BonnieSE]

I'd just like to agree with everyone else. You're gonna need some long bolts, and i had to saw one of my straps off, on account of a rusted bolt. Also, I just changed my fuel pump this week, and it only required disconnecting the two exhaust hangers in the rear on either side of the muffler. P.S. It would be beneficial to put a jack and a small piece of wood to spread the weight, under the entire fuel tank. This will make it easier to disconnect both straps, since I assume you'll be under the tank yourself. Once you disconnect one side, it will be resting on you, unless you support it. The reverse is also true. When you are replacing the straps and bolts, use the jack to lift the tank up, just be careful not to bend the tank, or bend the pipe shield!

[93RedSled-SSE]

it only required disconnecting the two exhaust hangers in the rear on either side of the muffler.

Yes, I agree, you can get by with just dropping the rear exhaust hangers. That is what I did. However, this method only allowed me to move the exhaust pipe so far to the passenger side for room to drop the (3/4 full) tank. When I put it all together, I had an exhaust leak at the o-ring gasket. So, if I had went ahead and disconnected it at the manifold in the first place, I would have had more space to work and would have saved another jacking exercise to replace the old, brittle and damaged (sort of like me) gasket. So, yes, the disconnect at the manifold down pipe is an option... a cheap option. Just wanna say, I feel lucky as snot to be in a salt free environment. RedSled is still cancer free and the bolts all come loose without breaking. I'm spoiled. (Don't tell anybody, but I was raised in Iowa and know all the details... okay, no Iowa jokes!) WD40 be with you.

[BillBoost37]

Actually dropping the exhaust is not a requirement. It gives you little benefit, but sometimes that little bit can make a large difference.