Fuel Tank Removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

85Silverado · 12-12-2002, 08:35 PM

My fuel tank sprung a leak when filled past 3/4 of a tank...i'm not sure where the hole is yet...but i imagine it's at the seam. I know new tanks are about 100 bucks so I'm probably gonna replace it but I needed to know what's the best way to remove it?

Also...has anyone dealt with shops that repair them? Do they actually fix it or just slap some sealer on...or weld it up?

Thanks for any info.

Paul D.

**old Rusty C10** · 12-12-2002, 09:52 PM

anytime ive had a hole in the tank ive went for a new one for the following reasons
If ya use the sealer to fillt he hole it always leaks again and only lasts a short time
If ya have the tank sent out to a radiator shop to get welded they invariably leave slag or pieces of the solder or weld they use int he tank which can screw up the float and all
If ya go for a new tank its properly repaired once and for all and there is no garbage in the tank to screw up the fuel system and the repair will last.
I try to runt he tank as low as i can then i place a floor jack under the tank and jack it so it holds the tank on it and then unscrew the straps and drop it down and unhook the wiring and fuel lines
Usually the tank you buy new incleds the hardware for sealing off a new fuel sender or fuel pump too
you might also want to go for a new sender unit if the sock on the bottom is all dirty and all
hope this helps

bigblock73 · 12-12-2002, 09:53 PM

before you replace your tank, check to see if all your rubber hoses going to and from the tank are not cracked or leaking...that COULD be your problem.

As far as removing the tank, run it as low as you can or drain as much gas as you can (to lighten it), unscrew your fill tube from the box side, un bolt your gas line to and from the tank, disconnect any wiring, then simply unbolt the straps holding the tank on and remove the tank. Make sure you have something under the tank holding it up when you unbolt it to prevent it from crashing to the ground or injuring yourself.

I can't help on the way shops repair them...if it were me I would just buy a new one for piece of mind.

-Jeff

fanman · 12-12-2002, 09:58 PM

While were on the subject of tanks...I have a question about mine. When ever I go to fill mine, I can only get about 5 gallons in before the pump shuts off. It's acting like it's full, even though theres only a gallon or so in it. The weird thing is..if I use a gas can..I can put as much as I want in. It's almost like the nozzel from the pump is up against the filler neck, but if I have it half in/half out it still shuts off. And I can't put any more in for atleast an hour.

**old Rusty C10** · 12-13-2002, 12:10 AM

fanman sounds like the vent line in your tankj is blocked you gotta drop the tank and take the vent line and see if its got crap in it blow it out with air you can also try to blow it out by disconecting it fromt he charcoal cannister int he front and blowing hi pressure air through it. you may wanna drop the tank and clean it out though if crap is blocking the vent its probably alot int he tank too

fanman · 12-14-2002, 12:13 AM

I have droped the tank before. I don't know if the problem was there before or not (didn't have my lisence yet...hence no need for gas in the truck). When I first discoverd the problem, I went home and pulled the filler neck and the vent line (the one going from the tank to the top of the filler neck). Neither were clogged. I'll try blowing the other lines from the canister, tomarow.

raceman6135 · 12-17-2002, 06:19 AM

I can't have the nozzle pushed all the way into my tank's filler neck, either, without having it shut off automatically, but when it's about half way in, it works just fine.

My truck is a 1986 C20 with dual tanks.

Not sure why you'd have to wait an hour to finish filling it, though.

DJS

12-12-2002, 08:35 PM	#1
85Silverado Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 198	Fuel Tank Removal My fuel tank sprung a leak when filled past 3/4 of a tank...i'm not sure where the hole is yet...but i imagine it's at the seam. I know new tanks are about 100 bucks so I'm probably gonna replace it but I needed to know what's the best way to remove it? Also...has anyone dealt with shops that repair them? Do they actually fix it or just slap some sealer on...or weld it up? Thanks for any info. Paul D.

12-12-2002, 09:52 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	tanks anytime ive had a hole in the tank ive went for a new one for the following reasons If ya use the sealer to fillt he hole it always leaks again and only lasts a short time If ya have the tank sent out to a radiator shop to get welded they invariably leave slag or pieces of the solder or weld they use int he tank which can screw up the float and all If ya go for a new tank its properly repaired once and for all and there is no garbage in the tank to screw up the fuel system and the repair will last. I try to runt he tank as low as i can then i place a floor jack under the tank and jack it so it holds the tank on it and then unscrew the straps and drop it down and unhook the wiring and fuel lines Usually the tank you buy new incleds the hardware for sealing off a new fuel sender or fuel pump too you might also want to go for a new sender unit if the sock on the bottom is all dirty and all hope this helps __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-12-2002, 09:58 PM	#4
fanman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Auburn, MI Posts: 156	While were on the subject of tanks...I have a question about mine. When ever I go to fill mine, I can only get about 5 gallons in before the pump shuts off. It's acting like it's full, even though theres only a gallon or so in it. The weird thing is..if I use a gas can..I can put as much as I want in. It's almost like the nozzel from the pump is up against the filler neck, but if I have it half in/half out it still shuts off. And I can't put any more in for atleast an hour. __________________ "When I start my car in the morning I want the neighbors to think the world is comming to an end." Homer Simpson I'm not stuck, I've still got some gas left"

12-13-2002, 12:10 AM	#5
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	tanks fanman sounds like the vent line in your tankj is blocked you gotta drop the tank and take the vent line and see if its got crap in it blow it out with air you can also try to blow it out by disconecting it fromt he charcoal cannister int he front and blowing hi pressure air through it. you may wanna drop the tank and clean it out though if crap is blocking the vent its probably alot int he tank too __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-14-2002, 12:13 AM	#6
fanman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Auburn, MI Posts: 156	I have droped the tank before. I don't know if the problem was there before or not (didn't have my lisence yet...hence no need for gas in the truck). When I first discoverd the problem, I went home and pulled the filler neck and the vent line (the one going from the tank to the top of the filler neck). Neither were clogged. I'll try blowing the other lines from the canister, tomarow. __________________ "When I start my car in the morning I want the neighbors to think the world is comming to an end." Homer Simpson I'm not stuck, I've still got some gas left"

12-12-2002, 09:53 PM	#3
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	before you replace your tank, check to see if all your rubber hoses going to and from the tank are not cracked or leaking...that COULD be your problem. As far as removing the tank, run it as low as you can or drain as much gas as you can (to lighten it), unscrew your fill tube from the box side, un bolt your gas line to and from the tank, disconnect any wiring, then simply unbolt the straps holding the tank on and remove the tank. Make sure you have something under the tank holding it up when you unbolt it to prevent it from crashing to the ground or injuring yourself. I can't help on the way shops repair them...if it were me I would just buy a new one for piece of mind. -Jeff

12-17-2002, 06:19 AM	#7
raceman6135 Dino burner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 602	I can't have the nozzle pushed all the way into my tank's filler neck, either, without having it shut off automatically, but when it's about half way in, it works just fine. My truck is a 1986 C20 with dual tanks. Not sure why you'd have to wait an hour to finish filling it, though. DJS



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