Gas leak

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kitchman
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Posts: 173
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:24 pm
My tercel:: 1983 2wd tercel hatch back ,1986 SR5

Gas leak

Post by kitchman »

Hello all, its been a while since I've posted!
My 86 wagon after a maximum re-fueling and over flow (oops) seems to have developed a leak appearing to come from the top left back side of the tank. The tank was changed by the previous owner in 2013 with a Spectra TO1A. I have doubts about this tank rusting that quickly and feel that perhaps the metal lines, supply, return and vent may be the culprit? I do believe the previous owner may also have incorrectly connected the lines causing a long, slow fill up experience. Any photos or hands on guidance on the correct connections would be most appreciated?
xirdneh
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Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:38 am
My tercel:: 87 tercel 4x4 wagon w/reringed engine, 83 tercel 4x4 wagon w/salvaged engine and 4.1 Diff's
Location: seabeck, washington, USA

Re: Gas leak

Post by xirdneh »

Check the seal of the plate on top of tank for gas gauge sender. Lift rear carpet and remove cover plate (3 small screws). If that seal is good you would have to drop the tank to inspect where the tubing attaches to tank.
Love those Tercell 4x4 wagons but they sure suffer from road noise.
kitchman
Top Notch Member
Posts: 173
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:24 pm
My tercel:: 1983 2wd tercel hatch back ,1986 SR5

Re: Gas leak

Post by kitchman »

Thanks, though I all ready did that and the seal is dry. Would like to know how which metal pipes go to which connections on the tank, so when I drop the tank I can check if they are correct?
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Petros
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Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: Gas leak

Post by Petros »

there are some short segments of rubber flex fuel line on the top of the tank. it is rare, but they have been known to get cracks and seep fuel as they age. only way to verify is to drop the tank. you may be able to inspect them from under the car (on the front edge of the tank, on top of it), or through the inspection hatch in the rear.

I have also seen the hard lines rust out where corrosive material (salt water) gets over the top of the tank and pools on top of the hatch and causes the fuel line to corrode away.

good luck.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
kitchman
Top Notch Member
Posts: 173
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:24 pm
My tercel:: 1983 2wd tercel hatch back ,1986 SR5

Re: Gas leak

Post by kitchman »

Thank you for the reply! I contacted a Toyota dealer and requested a parts illustration of the tank and related components. One illustration is of the tube system from the engine to the tank, which unclearly shows three pipes going to the tank but doesn't identify which pipes go to which pipe on the gas tank pick up assy? I'm thinking the problem is at the pick up assy. The previous as I mentioned replaced the tank in 2012 with a Spectra TO1A and more than likely reused the oem pickup assy, which now may have rust issues. Still believe when he changed the tank he incorrectly connected the lines causing the very slow fuel filling process?
xirdneh
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Posts: 2121
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:38 am
My tercel:: 87 tercel 4x4 wagon w/reringed engine, 83 tercel 4x4 wagon w/salvaged engine and 4.1 Diff's
Location: seabeck, washington, USA

Re: Gas leak

Post by xirdneh »

One line is smaller diameter
The other two are same diameter
So only two to figure out
Love those Tercell 4x4 wagons but they sure suffer from road noise.
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Petros
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Posts: 11930
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: Gas leak

Post by Petros »

one line is the fuel supply line likely the larger one (goes to the fuel pump), one is the fuel return line (from the fuel pump), and one is a vapor line that goes to the charcoal canister.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
kitchman
Top Notch Member
Posts: 173
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:24 pm
My tercel:: 1983 2wd tercel hatch back ,1986 SR5

Re: Gas leak

Post by kitchman »

Thanks once again! Now that 2-3 gallons of fuel have been used the leak has stopped. A view of the tank from the front didn't afford the gas pick-up to be seen or its seal. I did observe one of the larger metal line(feed to fuel pump) to have significant rust where it elbows, I started the car and checked this area for leaks and no leaks where seen. The smaller metal line is the return line from the furl pump. Was wondering why the large metal line with the rust makes a loop of approx. 12" after the elbow. Still don't know for sure where the leak is exactly, but definitely at the top of the tank. Waiting for the fuel level to drop so I can lower the tank.
kitchman
Top Notch Member
Posts: 173
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:24 pm
My tercel:: 1983 2wd tercel hatch back ,1986 SR5

Re: Gas leak

Post by kitchman »

Hello all, looking for some first hand guidance for the fuel tank removal. The other day with a floor jack under the tank I continued applying blaster to the tank straps hinge/pin areas. I removed the left side pin completely, cleaned it to bare metal and applied never seize. Well what a bear trying to get the pin back into place!! Did get it back after fighting it for some time. I'm assuming the straps should be disconnected at this point rather than at the other end where they bolt to the frame? Also I noticed that both straps have a spot where the plastic skid cover bolts to and that the previous owner snapped these bolts when the tank was changed. Wondering if it is worth trying to drill and re-tap these areas or simply adapt another method to affix the shroud to the straps?
xirdneh
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 2121
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:38 am
My tercel:: 87 tercel 4x4 wagon w/reringed engine, 83 tercel 4x4 wagon w/salvaged engine and 4.1 Diff's
Location: seabeck, washington, USA

Re: Gas leak

Post by xirdneh »

I had no trouble getting pins in or out. I loosened the bolts to the frame as much as possible
Love those Tercell 4x4 wagons but they sure suffer from road noise.
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