Help! Leaking Fuel.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

K

kwill32

Joined
Jan 17, 2019
Threads
8
Messages
82
Location
North Carolina
Hello everyone,
This is my intro thread, and my complaint thread all in one. Wednesday, I bought a '98 LC w/ 142k miles for $8200. I thought it was a decent deal, even though I knew there were a couple of problems; rear hatch handle, right rear window regulator, rear locker light doesn't stay illuminated, and a little rusty. Still, the interior is super clean for a '98, low miles, and it runs great. Fast forward one hour.... into my 4 hr drive home, I get a CEL. Turned out to be P0135 (Bank 1 Sensor 1 O2 sensor). So, i searched Mud and figured it seemed to be not too big of a deal... Today, I fill up the truck (with Premium) on my lunch break, and come out after work to this.....
IMG_4380.webp

IMG_4391.webp


This is the driver's side, front corner of the tank. I think the leak is coming from above the tank, because the area all around the drip is also wet. Is it the fuel lines, the tank, a leaking pump? I haven't had time to research yet, as I wanted to get this posted quickly.

Currently, it's sitting at a Toyota dealership, and I'm honestly scared to get the estimate. All of the local shops were closed by the time the tow truck came, so I had no choice. I was not going to leave a leaking truck at a shop that I had not talked to.

Anyways, I have spoken to the dealer I purchased from and they agreed to help on the parts. Does anyone have insight into what is leaking? Sorry for the long post, but any help is greatly appreciated!
 
Just found a mud article that shows the access door for the fuel pump. I think I will go check the pump/o-ring. and lines in the morning.
 
Hope it’s not a whole in the top of the tank, I always kept my tank half full. It one day filled it to the top and parked on a hill only to see it running out excessively, ordered new fuel neck and all new hoses from camelback Toyota. Got a tank with pump assembly connected from a yota yard in Hollywood. Replace it all unless it’s just a connection leak
 
Thanks, I hope I don't need the whole shabang. All I'm seeing is over $1k. Has anyone had luck with spectra fuel tanks? They're priced at ~$385.

By the way, I didn't park on a hill. It was a flat parking lot. The only thing I did differently than the last few times I put gas in, was clicked the cap further when closing it.... As crazy as that may sound.
 
I think when you get the spectra tank you’d have to get the top pump assembly separate as some parts are In the tank. I’d see if a west coast or central states (Texas) yard has a tank assembly. Get it shipped. Hopefully it’s an old hose or even just a fuel neck leak and everything behind the neck is all good.
 
Yeah, that's what I'm hoping. I have found a couple used LX470 tanks on ebay, but they have no part # listed. Anyone know if those will work?
 
You could always use one of the POR-15 fuel tank kits to repair a rusty leaking tank. It’s a whole process of dropping tank, cleaning it out, and swirling around really thick paint inside it, and it’ll be rock solid a long time. It’ll fill in all the seams, which are usually where they leak. You can also use included fabric to cover decent sized holes. You may have to use 2 kits though, not sure. I’ve only used one on a little 12 gallon tank. LC is like 25 gallon.
 
I replaced my tank with a Spectra over the summer, it was like $350 shipped on Amazon. I debated repairing my rusty tank, but rolled the dice on the Spectra. It looked identical to the oem one, I spent a day putting it in by myself, with help it would have taken a half day . I figured it's just a steel tank, what issues would the Spectra cause? Time will tell I guess.
 
Apply a thick layer of grease on top of the tank before you put it on.
 
Just got a quote from Toyota... $2500 to replace tank (leaking in multiple places), straps, and supply and return hoses.
 
saucebox said:
Ouch.

Maybe contact CruiserYard (Toyota Land Cruiser Used Auto Parts Accessories | CruiserYard | Austin, Texas). The owner is on this board, but I can't remember his handle. Good luck, this sucks.
Click to expand...


Thanks. Yes I have some good rust free tanks if that’s what you need. See my sit for contact

It’s not hard to drop it but does take some effort and ideally a second set of hands or a floor jack to assist. I highly recommend driving 15-20 miles after your fuel light goes on so the weight and spillage is minimal. GL!
 
Hah, that's good advice. I once replaced a fuel pump in a 2500 series Silverado, by myself in an otherwise empty parking lot. Half a tank of fuel in one of those beasts is a LOT of weight.
 
What do you guys think? Since the fuel pump seems to be good still, I'm considering not replacing it. There is also a door for that purpose if the time comes, so that I won't need to drop the tank. I'm really trying to keep the cost down...
 
It's easy enough to replace that if it's still working fine, just run it. I'm all for preemptively replacing things, but I'm not made of money, either.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom