Shep2112 Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 Hi all, I have a 99 Legacy Outback and have been smelling a fuel smell for a few weeks, not very strong, just when I first get in the car. I haven't driven it much with all the hurricanes n stuff, so I thought it might go away, whatever it was (with the car so hot in the sun, it didn't smell like regular gas)... So I noticed some gas on the ground yesterday, looked above the small puddle and saw gas by a hose clamp just in front of the read driver side tire. I couldn't reach it, so I brought it to Tire Kingdom to have them tighten it. I left the car overnight as they were nearing closing when they said the tank was leaking and would need more time to check it out. They called this morning and said my tank has a leak in it and needs to be replaced. They recommended replacing the fuel pump at the same time. The tank replacement job was $700 something and the fuel pump too was $1100 something when he quoted me. I didn't get the numbers exactly. I called 2 dealers in the area and the one that was open said it's a 3 hour job at $85/hr and the tank is $365.70 and the pump is $349.95.. My car has 105,000 miles on it, my extended Gold warranty ran out at 100k.. I can try to plead with them on Monday about this and maybe(?) get it covered under the 100k warranty, claiming I just got back from a long trip and the smell occurred 2 weeks ago. I doubt that will work, but it's worth a shot.. I haven't seen the tank to know where the leak is, but Tire Kingdom says it's not repairable. I have a dent in my tank right below the float sensor for the fuel gauge, but that's been dented 4 years now with no leaks or other problems. I had the engine replaced under warranty (some type of factory defect that gave out around 70k miles).. So I got my money's worth from the extended warranty, but I don't have $700 or $1100 to fix a small leak.. but I don't like that it's leaking a few feet in front of the exhaust pipe either.. Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance! -Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSisters Posted October 2, 2004 Share Posted October 2, 2004 You need to locate the leak yourself and determine the extent of the problem. I think it would be unusual for a 1999 tank to leak and more unususal for the tank to leak and a hose clamp to leak at the same time. It may just be connections or gaskets. You did your homework on what the "whole" job should cost, but it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion on the leak too if you can't find it. If the pump's not broken, don't fix it. I'm surprised they didn't also recommend new tires, shocks, and a transmission flush. You didn't say how mechanical you were, but you could save another $300 by dropping it yourself. "I couldn't find a tank listing, but a fuel pump from AutoZone is about $150. You do the math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shep2112 Posted October 2, 2004 Author Share Posted October 2, 2004 Hey, thanks for the info. I'm quite mechanical and good with electrical and eletronic wiring/soldering, etc, so I don't imagine this would be very complicated. It's a 3 hour job to swap the tank, according to the Subaru dealer. I'm not sure how or where I would lift it up high enough to get at everything. I suppose I could get some ramps or a floor jack, and maybe those jacks that are like a base with a spinner center section, so I could jack it up and then put those underneath to keep it up in the air and not worry about it rolling off the floor jack and killing me.. ugg $150 at Autozone is a great price, compared to $350 at a dealer. I wonder then if I could get a new tank through them possibly too? (If it came to that).. I'll inspect it myself and talk to them at Tire Kingdom today and see exactly what the problem is. I'll try to snap a few digital pics too. I have 3,000 miles on my current tires.. The brakes need to be reground.. I have $90 of store credit there, so I thought I'd be covered and then they called today and hit me with $700-1100 for the job. I had this happen a few years ago. I sold my 92 Eclipse to a friend and the brakes started squeaking before he took delivery, so he said he wanted them right before he took it over. So I brought it to Sears (all that was open on Saturday) and they wanted to replace almost the entire system, including the *4* 'seized' brake lines. for like $950!!! I took it to my usual mechanic who fixed the problem for I think $45 or something.. But my usual mechanic is 1,500 miles away in Massachusetts.. I'll check out the car in a bit and return home with it and post back with my findings.. Thanks again -Eric You need to locate the leak yourself and determine the extent of the problem. I think it would be unusual for a 1999 tank to leak and more unususal for the tank to leak and a hose clamp to leak at the same time. It may just be connections or gaskets. You did your homework on what the "whole" job should cost, but it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion on the leak too if you can't find it. If the pump's not broken, don't fix it. I'm surprised they didn't also recommend new tires, shocks, and a transmission flush. You didn't say how mechanical you were, but you could save another $300 by dropping it yourself. "I couldn't find a tank listing, but a fuel pump from AutoZone is about $150. You do the math. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shep2112 Posted October 2, 2004 Author Share Posted October 2, 2004 Update: The gas tank looks horrible! I'll check with Subaru's warranty dept on Monday, I doubt that'll help. Worth a shot though. The tank has a weld seam all the way around it, and about 18" or more on the front and driver's side of it is wet and flaking apart.. The Fuel pump is $350 from Subaru, $143 from Advance Discount Auto or whatever they're called now, and $83 from AutoZone! Neither store has fuel tanks.. I'm handy with tools, but it requires taking out the rear different and all kinds of things to get the tank out of there. I don't want to attempt that laying on my back on the ground in 85 degree Florida weather (and rain every afternoon). Tire Kingdom is $75/hr labor ($10 less than dealer) and 3 hour job too. So I'd save $30 on the labor and then more on the parts.. $683 before tax including the fuel pump.. I'll check around for tanks elsewhere.. Know of any sources? I don't think there's enough good metal on my tank to tack weld to. Tire Kingdom said I could track down any parts I could find and they would purchase the parts and install them and charge me only the actual cost of the parts. That way they can warranty everything, which sounds like a really cool deal to me. The labor is maybe a bit steep, but it's probably an extra $50-100 at best, and then whatever deal I get on the parts is the rest of the job. And I have $90 store credit already So, where can I find a gas tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shep2112 Posted November 1, 2006 Author Share Posted November 1, 2006 Update: I ended up going to Tire Kingdom on Tuscawilla Ave. I forget the total price. They said after that they couldn't warranty something that was shopped around for. But they repaired it and my fuel tank has been fine ever since. If anyone comes across this post down the road, that's how it ended.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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