replacing gas tank in a '92

[sally]

I'm probably an over-ambitious and optimistic girl...but I want to take a hit at replacing the gas tank on my '91 Corolla.

Have accomplished this before on an '81 Chevy Caprice, but am a little hesitant regarding a swap out for a fuel injection vehicle.

The car has been leaking gas the last few days quite profusely and I suspected it was the gas lines, back near the tank. The performance has been no different, it's still zippy as hell and there's no sputtering.

Took it to my local dealership and they want $1,300. parts and labour and that doesn't include the fuel pump, which they agreed was OK, based on the performance...seems there are a couple of holes in the top of the tank...everything looks pretty rusted, like the fuel pump holder.

Anyone had any experience with replacing the gas tank in an older model like this? The Haynes book doesn't have a lot of info...

Help! grease monkey gal wanna-be and starving student!

[REN69]

huh? $1300 for replacing a gas tank?? wow.. don't you know any decent shops in the area? I wouldn't go to the dealership for this one. My dad just got a fuel line replaced on his maxima for about $260 CDN.

I'm thinking its one of the lines that's leaking on your car, not neccessarily the tank itself. Whereabouts in T.O. are you located? I'm sure some of the guys here will point you to a few shops that wouldn't charge you "dealer" prices. A couple of shops I can recommend is either Gilman Sport and Speed Stars in Scarborough.

[sally]

I saw the tank myself...they also want to replace (recommend) the ascending unit, fuel gauge holder, high pressure hose, intake etc.

Actually I did call around and everyone said that's the going rate for all the components and labour...this dealrship has a very good rep here too.

I'm hoping some of it can be salvaged and to get the fuel pump bracket at a wreckers....and see if the fuel gauge, which was acting OK too, to swap into a new tank for $177. (crappy tire)

Unfortunately, I'm stranded up here in Peterborough, about an hour and a half from TO.

I'm just trying to also find out if the system is pressurized and all the extra little details...think I can do it...the Chevy wasn't a big deal at all....only have a budget of about $550., so think a professional is out of my league at the moment.

[REN69]

hmmm.. too bad you're in Peterboro.. I could've recommended a couple of shops in Oshawa that probably wouldn't charge you that much. If you tell people so and so want to charge you this much, chances are they'll say.. "yeah! that's about what we would charge you!" even though they would probably quote you $400 in the first place.

[sally]

HA! Got all the parts from the wreckers today for a mere $270., including fuel pump, in contrast to the dealership wanting $780. NOT including fuel pump....now just need a few hoses, gaskets, screws and some tubing to replace the fuel lines...anybody have any wisdom to share on swapping out this gas tank?

Never done a fuel injection tank...bought the Haynes guide and it isn't very indepth.

[sally]

AIN'T THIS INTERESTING!

THE STRAPPING BOLTS HOLDING UP THE TANK HAVE NEVER BEEN REMOVED!

How in HELL could they give me an estimate for $1300.00?

EDUCATED GUESS? or educated attempt to GOUGE?

Be interested if any Toyota tech's would like to respond to this and explain the business ethics of their Service Departments!