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Huge hole in gas tank

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Old 02-01-2016, 04:37 PM
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Default Huge hole in gas tank

We were smelling fumes, the auto shop did a smoke test and found the leak, a 1/2" hole in the top of it, it's a plastic fuel tank, the 1997 is a single year fuel tank only, they managed to find one, about $450 bucks for the tank alone, they called all over the US to find one, they no longer make them new, very bummed.

Anybody know of a way to get a cheaper tank? The total price of all the repairs comes to 1280 bucks, bummed, all kinds of crap leaking, but the engine and tranny seem very good. Just not what I wanted to hear ...
Old 02-01-2016, 04:44 PM
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Did they at least give you some lube before the raping? That place is really trying to **** you.

Huge hole in gas tank-fcahnje.png


I might have one in mid mi too.
Old 02-01-2016, 06:02 PM
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I agree with 89Laredo that you should try to source one via your favorite salvage yard. I'd sure take a chance on a salvage yard tank for the cost difference.

Do some research on your own and see if the shop would install one that you source yourself and deliver to them. Or install it yourself if you can.

Before just slapping in the new tank though, I'd want to determine HOW you got such a big hole in your tank. Root cause. Holes like this don't normally happen and you don't want to repeat that experience.

Last edited by tjwalker; 02-01-2016 at 06:58 PM.
Old 02-01-2016, 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by tjwalker
Before just slapping in the new tank though, I'd want to determine HOW you got such a big hole in your tank. Root cause. Holes like this don't normally happen and you don't want to repeat that experience.
If my memory serves me correctly ... the fuel tank is might close to the floor.

If anyone drilled a hole for any reason into the floor and wasn't aware ......

I learned about this when I did some rusted floor pan work back there.

I was just pulling up rusted floor pan when I saw how close the tank.
Old 02-01-2016, 10:05 PM
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/97-01-Jeep-C...BVrpZv&vxp=mtr
Old 02-01-2016, 10:07 PM
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Here is what appears to be a cleaner one, http://www.ebay.com/itm/97-01-Jeep-C...pWaap9&vxp=mtr. Good luck.
Old 02-01-2016, 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by BabyBlue
the 1997 is a single year fuel tank only, they managed to find one, about $450 bucks for the tank alone,

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/se...okee+Fuel+Tank


Somebody is either lying or stupid.


The labor isn't that bad - you can do this yourself. While you're at it, it would be a good idea to replace the fuel pump. You want Bosch - nothing else.

Even with a new tank, new fuel pump, and some new hardware, you should be comfortably $900 or so less than what you were quoted.
Old 02-02-2016, 04:14 AM
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Thanx everyone, going to the auto shop with the carport.com list. I'll go pick the thing up if need be. If they're stupid about it I have a guy who can do it. There are even epoxies made specifically to patch plastic gas tanks. I'm only going to have them fix the fuel tank if they'll do it for a reasonable price. The rest of the stuff I'm ordering off rockauto and we're doing it ourselves
Old 02-02-2016, 04:37 AM
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One more thing. As for the hole they think it must have been a chunk of metal or something that was kicked up into it, but will do my own investigation
Old 02-02-2016, 08:28 AM
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The other items need to be replaced while the tank is off.
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