I would appreciate any tips from you guys on what to look for regarding a fuel leak near the tank. It doesn't leak a lot but it'* getting worse and needs attention. Last I looked in the fall, there were some drops travelling down the fuel lines towards the filter.

It has recently become worse to the point where the engine doesn't start right away as it always did. I'm thinking it must be the return or the Evap, if it were the supply side I'm guessing I would have a lot more fuel leaking. This last sentence contradicts the first so...

Is there an access port under the rear seat? If so I assume it'* easy to remove for inspection underneath?

Are all the lines back there nylon? Is there any way to splice nylon lines? (Not recommended by GM)

Since I don't have a garage (I do but it'* full of stuff and no way to get the car in there) I'll have to do this outside. Since it is the middle of winter here and the pile of snow from the snowblower is over 6 feet high on my lawn, my window of opportunity is narrow since the weather is actually forecast to be above freezing the next couple of days.

I'm trying to assertain what parts I need and whether I'll need anything from the dealer. No problem to take tomorrow off work, but I need to be organised. I did chat with the local garage owner about dropping the tank to have a look, but his answer wasn't what I wanted because the first thing he said is it'* likely to be the pump unit that neads replacement ($600 CDN).

If there'* something I can do that will get me through to warmer days I would be happy. I'm not one to make Mickey Mouse repairs so I'll fix it properly soon, for now I need it fixed.

Tips appreciated

Cheers,

no access port

here a pic of fuel lines, no nylon/rubber/flexable



the 97 has 2 points of connection on the fuel lines, one at the fuel pump assembly and one at the filter.

Awesome picture, thank you very much. Where do those steel lines end? Do they extend down to the recessed section of the tank?

I assume all the line connections are the quick disconnect type with all the lines being nylon?

Cheers,

Bad news bud. it'* probably one of the metal lines rusted right before the nylon starts and needs to be replaced as an entire sending unit. Everything but pump and strainer is how I think it comes.

No access port. That luxury didn't start until 2000. My suggestion would be do it quick and know where you can get straps quick if you have to cut them. The ones in the 94 I did were held by a wimpy clip and spun when we tried to take them out.

they extend all the way down to the fuel filter area, under the pass rear seat. they are all quick disconnect metal lines

I wish you luck, 'cause I just had the same problem in March '05. New fuel pump, sender, lines, and filter. And yes, you need to drop the fuel tank to do it. There'* a couple threads on it here somewhere...

That spot up there is an ideal place for mud and/or salt to get in and set, leading to rusting there. And, I don't know about yours, but my leak came down about 2" from the hot exhaust. A friend at work here lost his Buick when the same type leak caught fire and torched his whole car in just minutes.

Those lines are no more than 12" long. At that point there'* a shoulder on the steel line that snaps into the plastic composite line.

I'm with Boost, you likely have a pin hole in the steel line. And, the only way to fix that is to replace the sender.

The key to dropping the tank is to have a transmission jack. The full range of adjustment is worth it'* weight in gold. Plus, your arms will thank you!

The line where it goes into the filter is plastic, it'* plastic for as far I can see, meaning somewhere on top of the tank. Do you know where the transition point is from metal to plastic? Or is mine possibly different than yours?

Really appreciate the feedback.

Cheers,

Foghorn..



Here ya go