Gas tank woes

xenogear · 07-27-2008, 01:25 PM

Whoever owned my car (87 924S) before I did decided to do a custom stereo job to install some 6x9's in the trunk. However, they decided to use screws about 5 inches long and I fear that one of them went into the gas tank, because my car always smells like gas on the inside. I was wondering how big a job it is to remove the gas tank for someone who has minimal experience with cars. I'm finding it difficult enough to jack up the rear of the car, because there doesn't seem to be any jacking points. I already have the exterior fuel pump disconnected because that was leaking as well so I'm unsure if I should reconnect it and just take in the car to have it done or if I should keep going and drop the whole tank so I can fix the hole. I don't think it's possible to fix from the trunk, because the screw went down quite deep before it hit the tank. I would rather have it welded or patched properly than risk plugging the hole from above.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Also, as an aside, how well does the power steering work on 87 924s? My power steering doesn't appear to be working at all so I'm wondering if there are any cheap fixes or if it's even worth repairing.
Thanks a lot

John_AZ · 07-27-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenogear

I already have the exterior fuel pump disconnected because that was leaking as well so I'm unsure if I should reconnect it and just take in the car to have it done or if I should keep going and drop the whole tank so I can fix the hole.

Also, as an aside, how well does the power steering work on 87 924s? My power steering doesn't appear to be working at all so I'm wondering if there are any cheap fixes or if it's even worth repairing.
Thanks a lot

First read this: Gas fumes? Tank leaks? Read this.

To have the tank fixed properly, you remove the transaxle. The procedure is at www.Clarks-Garage.com.
Take the tank to a radiator shop to repair.

NO, it is not a good idea to use the fuel pump with leaks. After the tank is fixed
find out what hose is bad. Replace the tank to pump "S" hose because ii is probably dry rotted. Then check the fuel filter-replace if old.

Power steering....Fix the dangerous stuff first.

Good Luck

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

zedsn · 07-27-2008, 04:40 PM

Hi, if it was me I would make sure all the gas was long gone and would cut a 4 inch sqaure hole in the trunk around the affected area and patch it from above. You could use a screw with a piece of rubber that gas won't affect and put it through the the threaded area and tighten the screw all the way down until it meets the tank and if you wanted to go further you could put a gas tank sealer patch on top of that as well. Then make a 5 inch plate and silicone it to the 4 inch cut out. It is only a screw hole and not a cracked tank.

xenogear · 07-28-2008, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I was misunderstood a bit. The fuel pump is a separate issue that I'm fixing as I type this. I had no intention of driving the car with a leaky fuel pump. I was just wondering if it's a good idea to drop the gas tank now that I have all the gas drained and hoses taken off.

After reading that post I'm curious now as to whether the screw hole is the main problem or if perhaps my tank has some stress cracks in it. The odors get worse when the tank is full. In any event, from the sounds of things it doesn't sound like the tank can be fixed if this is the case. Anyone find a site that sells plastic tanks that would fit an 87 924s?

thanks

konan · 07-28-2008, 10:01 AM

I have one tip from experience. The tube that you put gas into the tank with, can be removed by pulling a cover off from the inside of the car. I destroyed my filler neck by trying to force it out with the tank, not knowing about the cover.

zedsn · 07-28-2008, 12:32 PM

Hi, I have heard of stress cracks forming at the top of the tank before on a thread posted awhile back and someone tried to repair the cracks with no success so I would sugest that you repalce the tank if this is the case. The sender unit in the hatch trunk area could have the gasket not sealing properly as well so you might want to take out the sending unit and inspect the gasket before you go any further.

John_AZ · 07-28-2008, 03:47 PM

The tank can be repaired. Once again this is the post that explains the cracks and the repairs.

Gas fumes? Tank leaks? Read this.

On top of the tank there are also hoses for gas overflow and vapor collection that need to be changed when you remove the gas tank.

The repair will last. You will be able to fill the tank to the shut off and smell no gas vapors in the cabin or see a pool of gas on the garage floor. This will also avoid the "Flaming Rear Gas Tank" video on UTube.

John_AZ

csmall · 08-05-2008, 09:24 PM

I hate this problem.... unfortunately, there is no easy way to go about it. There is really no way to know if the problem is from a cracked tank or rotten hoses on the top of the tank without removing the tank.... which of course involves removing the transmission. I also have an 87 924S and my problem turned out to be the hoses, the tank itself was solid. No problems since I replaced the hoses.