Bought this car about a month ago and have done a few maintenance items and am waiting for parts. Filled it up Sunday night and noticed the fuel cap quit clicking and was just turning. Drove it to work on Monday and by the time I got there , I could smell gas. Checked around and found one at O'Reilly. By the time I got there thought I was going to be sick from the fumes. Bought the cap and replaced it in the parking lot. Drove home and could still smell fuel. Looked underneath and found that the tank was wet on the passenger side. Of course I couldn't see anything and am guessing the tank needs to be dropped. Can this be done without removing the rear suspension/subframe? God I hope so! Did a search and found little info and mixed answers. Odd that it started leaking now as I've ran at least 5 tanks through it and it hadn't leaked until now.... What's your thoughts and experiences?

 

I'd suggest finding a local shop that has done gas tank repairs in the past. It's not an easy DIY job, as anyone who has changed out a fuel pump can attest. I'd rather pay to have the repair done RIGHT.

 

I am just looking for the easiest way to tackle this. I have done way bigger jobs than this and have the tools to do it. If I don't have to drop the tank to change out hoses that would be great. If I have to replace the tank, it'd be great not to have to drop the whole rear assembly. I've replaced tanks and fuel pumps before and this, the pump is is simple, but thatsnot the issue....skills aren't the issue. I just have to use my time wisely as I only have the weekends to deal with anything major as this is my daily, hence me looking for the easiest route.

Thanks for replying, though 😉

 

In the event that the tank has to be dropped, yes, everything else under the car has to come out first. I've attached a copy (see pdf below) of the factory manual for the fuel system which includes tank removal. The pdf is for 2208. I doubt there is a difference between '08/'09 but you can download a copy for your car from here. I do not think that you can access the hoses otherwise but I can not say for certain.

When you say the cap was "just turning," was the cap turning or is it possible the filler neck "snapped" and the whole tube was turning? I ask as I am not a fan of coincidences and for this event to happen as a result of a spinning cap befuddles even me...

 

Thank you for the info and the link. I am not saying the leak was relative to the cap. It was something I noticed the night before discovering the actual leak. The cap itself just turned like the threads were stripped. Replaced the cap and that solved that problem. Then I drove home and could still smell it. That's when I looked under the car and saw the actual leak.

Was just strange as I drove it home after purchase which was like 250 miles. I refilled multiple times as the fuel gauge was acting up and I didn't want to run out. Never smelled fuel the whole time....

Thanks again!

 

Wait, so you just bought this car and this happens? Sounds like someone pulled a fast one...

Either way, your issue appears to be a one-off as tank issues with these cars is rare save for the "slow fill" issue that plagued some cars. Good luck and please update us on the issue/ outcome.

 

Pretty much my thoughts. There are quite a few issues that popped up after the sale. Was hoping to just have fun with this one and not have to do any repairs where the car might be down for a couple days......oh well. Guess I'll be getting very intimate with her very soon 😕