88 All Trac with a gas leak, help!

[rojo412]

I'm buying a 1988 Camry All Trac from a guy really cheap... because it has a gas leak. Apparently, it's VERY major, the leak that is. The repair bill shouldn't be, as he already replaced the tank and the lines. And my buddy, a mechanic, is helping me fix it (well, he's actually doing all the work, I get to watch).

My point of posting: Can anyone tell me what the possible problems could be?

I mean anything that could be causing this, because it has to be able to be fixed and a checklist would help tremendously. Like I said, it has a new tank, I was told (and I'll update this, assuming someone can help here) the fuel pump was checked over, and the gas lines were re-done. If there are any spots worth noting, any way to "follow" the problem to the source, that would be great.

This looks like a great site. I'm new here, but I am sure that I'll be posting a lot more.

[Tom 2000]

If you could describe the leaking condition, it would help greatly.

One guess I have is the filler neck, but that's a pure guess. For all I know, your gas cap could be the problem.

[rojo412]

Excellent, I will get as much info as possible when I check it out this evening. My buddy says he needs to drop the tank and he can see better what it might be.

The leaking only occurs when the car runs (as far as I know). It lost 1/4 tank in less than 1 mile of driving, so the EPA estimates on this particular one... WAY OFF!

[rojo412]

Okay, I got to see it. The leak is awful, like just pouring gas out of a gas can. As soon as the car starts up, it's like a dog peeing on the carpet and just can't get outside in time (too graphic?).

My buddy says it's a seal that blew somewhere between the tank and the pump. I know we are gonna have to drop the tank. I'm heading there after work today to help out.

If this is anything that anyone knows about, particularly what seal it could be and where to get one, please let me know. The car is in really good shape, other than that.

Also, and this may just be an easy one, the 4WD light didn't shut off when the car was just parked. I assumed that the car needed to move before it would shut off. If this is an indicator of something worse, let me know before anything goes too far.

[rojo412]

I think alll questions have been answered. The leak was a line that came undone. After dropping the tank, soldering a cold lead to the fuel pump.... BOOM! Fully functioning Camry for about $200.

I'm sure I'll be posing about goofball mods from now on.
Thanks for the effort. This site rocks.