Gas Leak! F*CK!!!

[Apex381]

Ok, so I get in my car today and it smells of gas. I look on the ground and there's this happy little rainbow coming from the back of my car. In short my gas tank is leaking. I'd be out hunting it now cept for the large thunderstorm outside that I dont want to be working on my car in. I did pull out the backseat and look on top of the gas tank and everything is fine there. Anybody got any suggestions? I did look under the car and it looks as if the leak is driping from someplace on top I cant see. Filler hose maybe?

[asubimmer]

dang beau, I'm glad you don't smoke. It was fine sat right?

[Apex381]

its been fine forever cept after I filled up today!

[AppState325]

dang man, that sucks. well, if you need help, me and charlie are here.....just hook us up with some Jack

[Apex381]

yeah I'll buy you a fifth each if you drive your ass down here, but seriously folks anybody know what could be going on here?

[AppState325]

ummm.....how soon do you want us down?

[Apex381]

tonight bring a jack too... mines at home. My jack for some jack... heh

[AppState325]

heh, lemme talk to charlie.....

[fretburnr]

i might have an idea for you... this sounds retarded, but i had a gas leak over the winter; thought it was my tank or my lines near the filter that had ripped; turned out my cap wasn't sealing, and when i parked on an incline it was backing out the vent line. fixed the cap, no more leak

[AdironRider]

The top of the fuel tank has been known to rust out

[Apex381]

hmm, how do i get to the top to see this? should i drop the tank? Or maybe probe around with mr screwdriver? Gotta try the gascap thing, also where is the gastank vent located in these cars?

[Jand3rson]

The top of the fuel tank has been known to rust out

Also, I know you said you looked under the rear seat, but did you check the O-ring that seals in between the tank cover and the tank itself? The O-ring on my wife's 89 deteriorated over time, so it wasn't sealing properly, and when she filled up, it would slosh around and out of the tank, running over the side of the tank and onto the ground. Could be what's happening. Heeter was having the same problem a few months back, and it was the same thing.

[ak96ss]

Also check the line from the tank to the fuel filter - mine was leaking where the hard line transitioned to rubber: the rubber had deteriorated to the point that it was turning my hands black just handling it. Which, of course, was on top of the tank, on the driver's side. I ended up replacing ALL of the rubber lines, front to rear. Not a fun job, but not mechanically challenging. Required about 3m of 8mm hose, but I had to drop the tank to get to that hose. Which requires removing the exhaust and driveshaft. You may be able to reach it through the access panel under the rear seat, but I couldn't get to it on mine from there. Good luck, and fix it! All you need is some shmoe at the stop light next to you to throw a butt out the window....

[Intense]

Similar problem, gas leak when I fill the tank (or take right hand turns with a nearly full tank). Leak is under the driver side of the car. Which rules out the filler neck and fuel pump.

I've narrowed it down to two possibilities. The gasket for the sender unit on the drivers side. On a hole in the top of the tank. I've already replaced the fuel filter and some of the tired looking rubber lines. I'm REALLY hoping it the gasket. Because dropping the tank won't be fun on an iX with a corroded exhaust :(

You car, being an 87, has a different fuel system layout. So, the fuel sender gasket may not be your problem. Good luck and I hope it not the tank

[AdironRider]

Droping the tank is a major pain in the ass. You need to remove the driveshaft and everything. Pretty shitty.