Fuel tank leak? 87 terc

[nyterc1]

Hello, I seem to get an intermittent gas leak back at the tank. Recently I was leaking gas badly when I made a stop. I loosened the gas cap which let out a lot of pressure and no more leak. I have left the cap loose, no visible leak at the tank but sometimes a strong gas smell. Today I drove to work and then had the car idling about 20 minutes and gas sarted leaking at the tank. I shut the car down, leak stopped. Drove home ,no visible leak.. I want to drop the tank this weekend, Any ideas on what Im looking at? Thanks

[Mac]

any idea where its leaking from? if there is a huge pressure build up, there could be a problem with your evap system and the gas fumes aren't being allowed to exit the tank, go into the charcoal canister and then into the engine.

another problem could be rotted fuel lines which are allowing fuel out.

[jetswim]

Yeah I have the same problem with my 87. On my car its the fuel filler hose. 80's Toyota's are notoriuos for leaky filler pipes. My temporary solution... I got a funnel of appropriate size and cut a length of hose. I attached hose to funnel with a clamp and whenever I get gas I stick hose into filler pipe and feed it directly to gas tank. I have to pour gas a little slower but it stops it leaking.
Eventually I will remove filler pipe and replace as soon as this -30c weather ends!
Don't fill the tank more than haif or three quaters or else you will get that gas smell.
This is assuming your tank isn't really leaking but it sounds like the filler.
What happens when you fill up?

[takza]

I'd say one of the 3 hoses that come out of the tank? You might be able to see what's leaking and fix it without removing the tank.

[nyterc1]

Thanks for the replies. I t doesnt matter how much fuel is in the tank and I would have to rule out the filler neck. When it does leak it seems to come down from the top. But like I said , it seems to be totally random. If it is a evap system problem, where to start? I will check the lines off the tank.

[4doorVIP]

any luck with the tank?
I just got my tercel back on the road and I notice it was dripping fuel.
The gas tank diaper was wet but I couldnt tell where it was coming from, possible up top?
seemed to be damper on the driver side

[Petros]

There is one or two pieces of rubber fuel line coming from the top of the tank and going to the metal fuel line mounted to the chassis. Sometimes this will get brittle and crack. You have to drop the tank to replace it. Occasionally a crack or puncture can happen somewhere on the tank or a fuel line or fitting, but this is rare unless you live in area that uses salt and anything metal can rust away.

Better find the source, this can be dangerous to have fuel leaking out under the car. Recently I witness a newer car catch fire likely from a leaky fuel line. Within minutes it was totally consumed. the owner and his passenger got out safely, but could only stand back in the rain and cold and helplessly watch the whole car go up in flames on the side of the freeway. It almost completely melted down into a puddle of burning plastic, rubber and charged bits of metal. I could not tell what kind of car it was by the time I drove by it, but it was a chilling lesson on the danger of leaking fuel.

[ARCHINSTL]

This might help as well: http://www.tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtop ... hilit=tank
I was able to replace the rubber hoses without dropping the tank - a major PITA, though.
Thre are some threads on the filler pipe.
Tom M.

[4doorVIP]

thanks for the quick responses guys, I will jack the car up tomorrow and see if I can get to those rubber hoses. If they were anything like the rubber hoses going to the fuel filter I'll be lucky, those ones were hard as rock and cracked wide open lol

[4doorVIP]

Ok I lifted up the car and still has trouble finding the source of my leak..it definately was coming from the top of the tank.
My next step was to remove the 3 rubber hoses to make sure they were ok.

this is what happened next (fail!) lol


soo, it looks like I indeep has some rusted out fuel lines going into the tank.
Does this mean I need to replace the whole tank or is there a way to replace only the hard lines?

[4doorVIP]

mmmm more rust...


I have sourced a new gas tank for $190 + tax - is this a good deal?
do they usually come with straps?
anything else I should look at replacing while I'm in here? get a new pump you think?

[ARCHINSTL]

That looks like a pretty good price - source? AZ and NAPA have them for $230+ (the 2wd is a LOT cheaper).
I'd certainly look at the threads here on the sending unit rejuvenation as long as it's out.
Due to rusted-through lines, I replaced all on my '88 Dodge/Mitsu p'up POS - a PITA for sure, but I thought it prudent. Popping for another fuel filter would be a good idea, too.
Another idea would be to scrape and spray the underside of the body with some RustOleum Rust Restorer as long as the tank is out - hopefully the opportunity will never present itself again. I'm a firm believer in "If it's off, I'm painting it!" Presumably the new tank will have some kind of rust-resistant paint, but again...
Tom M.

P.S. Don't take it the wrong way, but - WEAR SAFETY GLASSES UNDER THIS - believe me, I know from a visit to the ER on getting stuff in an eye! And, while I was wearing glasses - it dropped in from something lodged in an eyebrow or hair!

[4doorVIP]

Sweet deal, it's from a local parts store called Lordo, it is $190 local picked up, I could check to see if they ship to the USA if you like?

Yep I have a new fuel fitting sitting here ready to be installed. I'm going to siphon the gas out in the next 2-3 days then drop the tank.

good call on the rustoleum, I will hit the Terc with it hard!
going to throw a new muffler in there as well, and paint the rusted out heat shield

ya I hear you about eye safety.
I was working underneath the car and got a piece of grime lodge in my eye lash, thankfully it didnt get into my eyes hahaha


hey any tips on removing cloths soaked in fuel? I hear its bad news to put them in the washing machine straight away



Cheers man!

[ARCHINSTL]

I don't need a tank, but others in the States may. $190 CAD is about the same as $190 USD nowadays, so that is sweet! Post the brand when you get it - I'd imagine it would not be a Canada-only item.
On the clothes - frankly, I'd wash 'em in a tub - outside - and never bring 'em in the house again.
You might also use a filter when reusing the gas - I use coffee filters when "recycling" the Winter blend in my lawn equipment that I had to siphon from my p'up last May.
Tom M.

[Highlander]

I'm not sure about the '87s but the 83 and 85 versions have a drain plug so that you don't have to siphon. use a funnel and a gas can to get the job done. Definitely let the gas evaporate from any rags that soak it up- putting them in the washer is a no-no until its gone- then make sure that you do a double or triple rinse before putting your clothes into the washer- gas residue itches like crazy and CAN give you a rash (especially in all of the wrong places ).
BTW I have a fuel tank from my '83 that is just about to go to the crusher - only problem is that its now winter here, been snowing for the last week + at my house. Let me know quickly if you want it.