Celica gas tank leak

The gas tank on my 1994 Toyota Celica ST 1.8 L has a leak and the only
place I can find a new one is from a Toyota dealer for about $500.
Does anyone know where I can get an aftermarket gas tank for a lot less
money? I tried all the online gas tank suppliers that advertise on
google but no one has Celica tanks.

Thanks,
norm

Could have one shipped from the UK -Toyota Celica Breakers (TCB) but cost as
much as a new one really.

You sure its not just the hose going from the filler tothe tank? Thats a
common one.

J

"norm" <norm.wright@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1133204724.651363.185290@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> The gas tank on my 1994 Toyota Celica ST 1.8 L has a leak and the only
> place I can find a new one is from a Toyota dealer for about $500.
> Does anyone know where I can get an aftermarket gas tank for a lot less
> money? I tried all the online gas tank suppliers that advertise on
> google but no one has Celica tanks.
>
> Thanks,
> norm
>[/color]

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 20:43:58 +0000, Coyoteboy wrote:
[color=blue]
> Could have one shipped from the UK -Toyota Celica Breakers (TCB) but cost as
> much as a new one really.
>
> You sure its not just the hose going from the filler tothe tank? Thats a
> common one.
>
> J[/color]

Yeah, what he said! Or, it could be the fuel lines are rusting and
leaking. I thought I had a leaky tank, but it turned out the lines were
leaking. About $3 of high pressure fuel line solved the problem.
[color=blue]
>
> "norm" <norm.wright@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1133204724.651363.185290@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
>> The gas tank on my 1994 Toyota Celica ST 1.8 L has a leak and the only
>> place I can find a new one is from a Toyota dealer for about $500.
>> Does anyone know where I can get an aftermarket gas tank for a lot less
>> money? I tried all the online gas tank suppliers that advertise on
>> google but no one has Celica tanks.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> norm
>>[/color][/color]

--
I've spent a great deal of money on Whiskey, Women and Fast Cars

The rest I've squandered.

The repair shop said it was the tank so that's what I'm assuming it is.
It's leaking by the rear passenger tire and I haven't been able to see
exactly where the leak is. The roads have been wet (and thus the
underside of the car) for the last week due to the rain and snowmelt.
Thanks for the info, maybe I'll take it to Toyota to see what they
say.

On 28 Nov 2005 15:52:45 -0800, "norm" <norm.wright@gmail.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>The repair shop said it was the tank so that's what I'm assuming it is.
> It's leaking by the rear passenger tire and I haven't been able to see
>exactly where the leak is. The roads have been wet (and thus the
>underside of the car) for the last week due to the rain and snowmelt.
>Thanks for the info, maybe I'll take it to Toyota to see what they
>say.[/color]

If you can get access to the fuel hoses, try changing them first.
If that doesn't do it, check the fuel level sender hole (port in the
tank held on by multiple screws) and the fuel filler neck hoses.

You may have to drop the tank and look for holes - if there is one,
they make epoxy patch kits, but they can only be considered temporary.

Worst case, you find the tank is bad. Call the local wrecking yards
and place an order for a tank, leave your name and number. If they
know someone wants a tank, they will be careful not to damage the next
good one that comes in - normally as soon as a car hits the yard they
punch a hole in the fuel tank to drain the fuel and vent the vapors.

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 15:52:45 -0800, norm wrote:
[color=blue]
> The repair shop said it was the tank so that's what I'm assuming it is.
> It's leaking by the rear passenger tire and I haven't been able to see
> exactly where the leak is. The roads have been wet (and thus the
> underside of the car) for the last week due to the rain and snowmelt.
> Thanks for the info, maybe I'll take it to Toyota to see what they
> say.[/color]

The rear passenger's tire, eh?

Yeah, this is common on ALL Toyotas. Here's what's going on.

Like a lot of Toyotas, chances are this is where the filler neck is.
It is probably also where the fuel lines are, and the pump.

Do you live in a salty area? The rear tire kicks sand and salt up there
during the winter, and one of three things happens:

1: The filler neck rots near the tank
2: The tank rots in this area
3: The steel lines coming from the pump rot.

Easy ways to tell what's what?
If it leaks while you're filling, it's the filler neck.
If it leaks when the tank is full, but not when it's near empty, it's the
tank.
If it leaks while driving (you'll smell it with the window open) or, if
you only have 1/4 tank and it pisses out gas for a few minutes after
turning the car off, it's the steel lines from the pump. It remains
pressurized for a while and will continue to leak for a minute or two.

What you can do: pull the sgroud from the rear wheel well. This will
probably be a combination of screws and clips. If you're anywhere above
the Mason/Dixon, the quarter panels will probably be rotten, and you may
not be able to reintall the cladding. Be careful.

Then hava a look. Take the car to the station and pump some gas, keeping
an eye on the filler neck where it meets the tank. Also, try to pinpoint
where the leak is. If it's in the middle of the tank, it is prolly a fuel
line or a hole in the tank.

Or, just put your hand up there and feel around! If there's a hole, you'll
find it.

There are places that patch tanks. There's one here locally, I know he's
patched two tanks for friends of mine, and that was over 2 years in both
cases and the patch is still holding.

3M makes something like a plastic tar paper that is super sticky just for
this purpose; the tank has to be perfectly clean in order to work. You'll
have to pull it from the car to patch it. If'n you can get it out without
breaking rusty bolts.

I usually keep my tank full. This has 2 benefits:
I can still drive when I'm broke
The tank doesn't rust...

Good luck. Report back with what you find...

OH! BTW, you MAY be able to access the pump area through a 'hatch' in the
floor of the trunk, and get a good look that way. I know on my older Toys,
they used to put these in; when the dealer told me he had to drop the tank
to replace the fuel pump (at 4 hours labor) I told him Bullshit!

--
I've spent a great deal of money on Whiskey, Women and Fast Cars

The rest I've squandered.

"Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.GTS> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.11.29.23.55.23.915809@ae86.GTS...[color=blue]
> On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 15:52:45 -0800, norm wrote:
>[color=green]
>> The repair shop said it was the tank so that's what I'm assuming it is.
>> It's leaking by the rear passenger tire and I haven't been able to see
>> exactly where the leak is. The roads have been wet (and thus the
>> underside of the car) for the last week due to the rain and snowmelt.
>> Thanks for the info, maybe I'll take it to Toyota to see what they
>> say.[/color]
>
> The rear passenger's tire, eh?
>
> Yeah, this is common on ALL Toyotas. Here's what's going on.
>
> Like a lot of Toyotas, chances are this is where the filler neck is.
> It is probably also where the fuel lines are, and the pump.
>
> Do you live in a salty area? The rear tire kicks sand and salt up there
> during the winter, and one of three things happens:
>
> 1: The filler neck rots near the tank
> 2: The tank rots in this area
> 3: The steel lines coming from the pump rot.
>
> Easy ways to tell what's what?
> If it leaks while you're filling, it's the filler neck.
> If it leaks when the tank is full, but not when it's near empty, it's the
> tank.
> If it leaks while driving (you'll smell it with the window open) or, if
> you only have 1/4 tank and it pisses out gas for a few minutes after
> turning the car off, it's the steel lines from the pump. It remains
> pressurized for a while and will continue to leak for a minute or two.
>
> What you can do: pull the sgroud from the rear wheel well. This will
> probably be a combination of screws and clips. If you're anywhere above
> the Mason/Dixon, the quarter panels will probably be rotten, and you may
> not be able to reintall the cladding. Be careful.
>
> Then hava a look. Take the car to the station and pump some gas, keeping
> an eye on the filler neck where it meets the tank. Also, try to pinpoint
> where the leak is. If it's in the middle of the tank, it is prolly a fuel
> line or a hole in the tank.
>
> Or, just put your hand up there and feel around! If there's a hole, you'll
> find it.
>
> There are places that patch tanks. There's one here locally, I know he's
> patched two tanks for friends of mine, and that was over 2 years in both
> cases and the patch is still holding.
>
> 3M makes something like a plastic tar paper that is super sticky just for
> this purpose; the tank has to be perfectly clean in order to work. You'll
> have to pull it from the car to patch it. If'n you can get it out without
> breaking rusty bolts.
>
> I usually keep my tank full. This has 2 benefits:
> I can still drive when I'm broke
> The tank doesn't rust...
>
> Good luck. Report back with what you find...
>
> OH! BTW, you MAY be able to access the pump area through a 'hatch' in the
> floor of the trunk, and get a good look that way. I know on my older Toys,
> they used to put these in; when the dealer told me he had to drop the tank
> to replace the fuel pump (at 4 hours labor) I told him Bullshit!
>
> --
> I've spent a great deal of money on Whiskey, Women and Fast Cars
>
> The rest I've squandered.
>[/color]

Good advice! For late model cars, the fuel tank access may be under the
back seat, not the trunk.
--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

On Tue, 29 Nov 2005 17:59:45 -0600, Ray O wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.GTS> wrote in message
> news:pan.2005.11.29.23.55.23.915809@ae86.GTS...[color=green]
>> On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 15:52:45 -0800, norm wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> The repair shop said it was the tank so that's what I'm assuming it is.
>>> It's leaking by the rear passenger tire and I haven't been able to see
>>> exactly where the leak is. The roads have been wet (and thus the
>>> underside of the car) for the last week due to the rain and snowmelt.
>>> Thanks for the info, maybe I'll take it to Toyota to see what they
>>> say.[/color]
>>
>> The rear passenger's tire, eh?
>>
>> Yeah, this is common on ALL Toyotas. Here's what's going on.
>>
>> Like a lot of Toyotas, chances are this is where the filler neck is.
>> It is probably also where the fuel lines are, and the pump.
>>
>> Do you live in a salty area? The rear tire kicks sand and salt up there
>> during the winter, and one of three things happens:
>>
>> 1: The filler neck rots near the tank
>> 2: The tank rots in this area
>> 3: The steel lines coming from the pump rot.
>>
>> Easy ways to tell what's what?
>> If it leaks while you're filling, it's the filler neck.
>> If it leaks when the tank is full, but not when it's near empty, it's the
>> tank.
>> If it leaks while driving (you'll smell it with the window open) or, if
>> you only have 1/4 tank and it pisses out gas for a few minutes after
>> turning the car off, it's the steel lines from the pump. It remains
>> pressurized for a while and will continue to leak for a minute or two.
>>
>> What you can do: pull the sgroud from the rear wheel well. This will
>> probably be a combination of screws and clips. If you're anywhere above
>> the Mason/Dixon, the quarter panels will probably be rotten, and you may
>> not be able to reintall the cladding. Be careful.
>>
>> Then hava a look. Take the car to the station and pump some gas, keeping
>> an eye on the filler neck where it meets the tank. Also, try to pinpoint
>> where the leak is. If it's in the middle of the tank, it is prolly a fuel
>> line or a hole in the tank.
>>
>> Or, just put your hand up there and feel around! If there's a hole, you'll
>> find it.
>>
>> There are places that patch tanks. There's one here locally, I know he's
>> patched two tanks for friends of mine, and that was over 2 years in both
>> cases and the patch is still holding.
>>
>> 3M makes something like a plastic tar paper that is super sticky just for
>> this purpose; the tank has to be perfectly clean in order to work. You'll
>> have to pull it from the car to patch it. If'n you can get it out without
>> breaking rusty bolts.
>>
>> I usually keep my tank full. This has 2 benefits:
>> I can still drive when I'm broke
>> The tank doesn't rust...
>>
>> Good luck. Report back with what you find...
>>
>> OH! BTW, you MAY be able to access the pump area through a 'hatch' in the
>> floor of the trunk, and get a good look that way. I know on my older Toys,
>> they used to put these in; when the dealer told me he had to drop the tank
>> to replace the fuel pump (at 4 hours labor) I told him Bullshit!
>>
>> --
>> I've spent a great deal of money on Whiskey, Women and Fast Cars
>>
>> The rest I've squandered.
>>[/color]
>
> Good advice! For late model cars, the fuel tank access may be under the
> back seat, not the trunk.[/color]

Yeah. That's where it was on my Tercel, and IIRC, my '87 Corolla FWD

--
I've spent a great deal of money on Whiskey, Women and Fast Cars

The rest I've squandered.

"norm" <norm.wright@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1133204724.651363.185290@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> The gas tank on my 1994 Toyota Celica ST 1.8 L has a leak and the only
> place I can find a new one is from a Toyota dealer for about $500.[/color]

Its either fuel lines or filler neck rusted, or an actual hole in the tank,
most likely on the top where dirt (and salt?) collect. Most tanks, even with
major rust, can be repaired by the right people: look in your yellow pages.
If you have to ship the tank anywhere, the shipping and repair may exceed
the $500 for a new one from the dealer.

The biggest problem is getting the tank out without damaging the fuel lines,
as the line connectors tend to rust on solid. Older Celicas also often rust
out the tank supports. If the fuel lines are rusted or break getting the
tank out, your garage or dealer will have to replace bits of the line as
needed. You may want to get several quotes.

Stewart DIBBS

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. It was leaking when the tank
was full but now that it's about 1/4 full it does not seem to be
leaking anymore. I removed a small panel under the back seat and there
was a panel with an electrical connections on the tank that was pretty
rusty. It was completely dry but I haven't looked at it with a full
tank.

If it ever stops raining/snowing here in New England I'll try
pinpointing the leak with the suggestions you made. I'll let you know
what I find this weekend.

Thanks,
norm

On Wed, 30 Nov 2005 10:33:14 -0800, norm wrote:
[color=blue]
> Thank you everyone for the suggestions. It was leaking when the tank
> was full but now that it's about 1/4 full it does not seem to be
> leaking anymore. I removed a small panel under the back seat and there
> was a panel with an electrical connections on the tank that was pretty
> rusty. It was completely dry but I haven't looked at it with a full
> tank.
>
> If it ever stops raining/snowing here in New England I'll try
> pinpointing the leak with the suggestions you made. I'll let you know
> what I find this weekend.
>
> Thanks,
> norm[/color]

Hey! Where you live in New England, Norm?

That's why you're having this trouble. Up here the rear wheel kicks up all
that sand and salt and rots out something, and we get leaks. Have you had
to replace your muffler yet because of this? Same thing.

It has been Miserable! But at least the last few days were WARM!!!
Yesterday, except for the drizzle, was almost a joy!

(Just think if it had been a few degrees colder...)

I live in Massachusetts. I have not replaced the muffler yet but I
think a hanger rotted off because it rattles when I go over a bump.
That's probably the next thing to go. It's hard to justify a $700-800
repair bill on a 12 year old car but that's what the sales tax is on a
$16,000 new car.

Yeah, the weather's been dreary lately although it was nice to see 60
degrees this late in the year. I'm waiting for the snow now, itching
to get the snowmobile out.

On Thu, 01 Dec 2005 08:47:58 -0800, norm wrote:
[color=blue]
> I live in Massachusetts. I have not replaced the muffler yet but I
> think a hanger rotted off because it rattles when I go over a bump.
> That's probably the next thing to go. It's hard to justify a $700-800
> repair bill on a 12 year old car but that's what the sales tax is on a
> $16,000 new car.
>
> Yeah, the weather's been dreary lately although it was nice to see 60
> degrees this late in the year. I'm waiting for the snow now, itching
> to get the snowmobile out.[/color]

I live in the Northampton/Amherst area.

And I am *not* a Liberal!! Talk about Tough Times!!! ;)

And it has been dank and dreary, but WARM! Today was a beautiful, sunny
day but not exactly light-jacket weather!

And I put a 'new' engine in a 20 year old car! Dude, it's a Toyota. If the
rest of the car is decent, and you can get away with $1000 or so for 5
years of driving, you're ahead of the game, esp if you like the car.

I'm thinking about putting $3-4500 into my '85 Corolla GTS. It is
basically solid and I probably will get 5 more years out of it.


--
I've spent a great deal of money on Whiskey, Women and Fast Cars

The rest I've squandered.

I figured you weren't a liberal because then you'd be hanging around
the Volvo newsgroups ;-)

The car's been good and I haven't put a dime into it other than oil,
filters and wipers in the 40K miles since I bought it (103K now).
Hopefully the snow will hold off for a few more days.

On Fri, 02 Dec 2005 14:47:09 -0800, norm wrote:
[color=blue]
> I figured you weren't a liberal because then you'd be hanging around
> the Volvo newsgroups ;-)
>
> The car's been good and I haven't put a dime into it other than oil,
> filters and wipers in the 40K miles since I bought it (103K now).
> Hopefully the snow will hold off for a few more days.[/color]

I work in Brattleboro and at 6PM it was snowing pretty hard, but when I
got home...nothing!