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Gas tank leak

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by Sampson, Oct 18, 2021.

  1. Oct 18, 2021 at 6:55 PM
    #1
    Sampson

    Sampson [OP] New Member

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    2001 V8 with 110k miles

    Filled the tank up a few days ago and then parked. This morning, after having sat around for a few days, it started dripping fuel out of the rear end of the fuel tank. I siphoned 3/4 of the tank and the dripping ceased. Top of the tank is completely dry.

    Considering that the leak is clearly on the bottom half somewhere (thus ruling out a broken fuel line), I think it's safe to say that my tank has a hole in it and it needs to be replaced, right? I am not interested in patching it.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Oct 19, 2021 at 5:56 AM
    #2
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    I'd agree that a new tank is probably in order.
     
  3. Oct 19, 2021 at 1:17 PM
    #3
    assassin10000

    assassin10000 New Member

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    Maybe look into seeing if the newer 05+ plastic tank will fit?
     
  4. Oct 21, 2021 at 7:04 AM
    #4
    ThatYeti

    ThatYeti New Member

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    I've been told mine (2000) is on borrowed time, does anybody know if this will work?
     
  5. Oct 21, 2021 at 7:31 AM
    #5
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    I think you'll at least need to change fuel pumps. I remember running across a thread somewhere about it.
     
    Jack McCarthy likes this.
  6. Oct 30, 2021 at 7:54 PM
    #6
    lonestarduck

    lonestarduck New Member

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    Just wanted to show you that it can happen to a 2020 Tundra gas tank with 25K miles on it. I love my Tundra. Saved up for over a decade to buy it. But it has the most exposed gas tank I’ve ever seen. Drive 1500 miles from NC to TX. Parked it for a couple days with less than 1/4 tank. Then went to filling up and it had a massive hole in it,..you see. Had to call the local fire department because my $90 worth of gas was pooling next to a sidewalk and under other vehicles. After three day battle with insurance co., finally got them to reimburse me for a $2400 (dealership) replacement of the tank. I’m unaware of hitting anything on the highway. I do have a farm I drive around on, and I could have hit something there prior to the long road trip. Again, I love my Tundra, but I had a Chevy truck I drive for 200K rough on-road and off-road miles. I hit tins of limbs and other stuff. This never happened. The exposure of the tank, with no factory skid plate to protect it, really surprises me. Thinking about getting after-market plates to protect the gas tank. Anybody ever done this with their Tundra? Thanks. I’m new to this forum. And I’m not a forum kinda guy, so please pardon my long-winded post here.
    3DC47DF0-70CC-416F-B540-639506964B18.jpg

    1BC77563-0AAF-4F56-998C-34933E2BEC9D.jpg
     
  7. Oct 31, 2021 at 4:09 AM
    #7
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    That looks a lot like you caught someone in the middle of stealing gas and not a random puncture.
     
  8. Oct 31, 2021 at 9:08 PM
    #8
    Sampson

    Sampson [OP] New Member

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    Good as new.

    None of the videos mention the rusted out metal clamp that holds the ABS wiring in position against the rear of the gas tank. That was annoying. Otherwise it went pretty smooth.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    w666, bmf4069, FirstGenVol and 7 others like this.
  9. Nov 1, 2021 at 1:51 PM
    #9
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    Cam here to say this. This is exactly what it sounds like to me. Classic meth-head-tweaker/crackie tactic right here. Put the hole high enough that it dumps right into your can, but not high enough you leave the owner stranded. Just high enough they can drive far enough away they won't be near where you did the deed when they realize what happened. Had a tweaker living behind me when I had to relocate to the city for work a long time ago. Thankful I had a garage, he did this shit all over the neighborhood for years. Like magic, it suddenly stopped when he set his house on fire running gas powered generators in the attic because he couldn't afford electricity.

    Did you know in many major cities you can run gas powered generators all day long, legally? Yeah. Neither did I, nor my neighbors. That drone ... ugh.

    Hope you proactively replaced the fuel pump while in there ...

    I won't make that mistake again. If that tank is coming down for anything, I'm changing the fuel pump.

    Congrats either way!
     
  10. Nov 1, 2021 at 1:55 PM
    #10
    Sampson

    Sampson [OP] New Member

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    Truck only has 110k miles on it. The pump and the inside of the tank looked brand new. I've had no fueling issues, and honestly, the tank was not that difficult to drop. So no I did not replace the fuel pump.
     
  11. Nov 1, 2021 at 2:01 PM
    #11
    shifty`

    shifty` The Second Shortcoming of Christ

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    I mean, I hear you, I've just had it happen more than once. Last time was on a '98 that had 64k miles on it. Age kills things just as easily as miles.

    But if you find dropping the tank easy, I'm not one to criticize. Was just reminiscing about the last time it happened to me.
     
  12. Nov 1, 2021 at 2:11 PM
    #12
    Sampson

    Sampson [OP] New Member

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    Normally I am a big proponent of replacing things ahead of time, especially if the cost isn't too high, but I just don't see it being necessary in this case. If a fuel pump fails after 64k miles, I wouldn't blame the pump, or its age. I'd be more inclined to believe that the previous owner was the type of person to drive around on empty all the time, only ever putting in $10-$20 at a time. Fuel pump probably spent most of its life overheating as a result of not being submerged in fuel.
     
    shifty`[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Aug 6, 2022 at 7:24 AM
    #13
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    I'm getting ready to replace my fuel tank. I noticed that your new tank appears to be from Rockauto. I have a 2004 AC, the owner's manual lists fuel capacity as 26.4 gallons. All the direct replacement tanks at Rockauto (et al) show that they are 18.4 gallons. That makes no sense. @Sampson can you share the p/n you used, and your experience as to its capacity?
     
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2022
  14. Aug 6, 2022 at 7:46 AM
    #14
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    So what exactly caused the leak? Was it corrosion or something else?
     
  15. Aug 6, 2022 at 9:01 AM
    #15
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    Don't know yet. After I replaced the rusty straps, it started leaking just a couple of drops a day. Before I drop the tank to check it out I'm just trying to cover the bases. A new OEM tank is ~ $850! The Dorman is ~ $300, but it apparently only holds 18.4 gal !? I think I found a Denso fuel pump (if I'm dropping the tank, it would be silly not to change it). Maybe I'll be able to have the tank repaired if it's not too bad.

    I wish I could figure out how to hold the tank in place with the straps off so I can drop the plastic bottom cover and see what's going on.

    IMG_3569.jpg
     
  16. Aug 6, 2022 at 9:16 AM
    #16
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    Can’t take an impact to the bed t55 bolts and access from the topside?
     
  17. Aug 6, 2022 at 9:18 AM
    #17
    TBS

    TBS New Member

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    Looks like someone drilled your tank to steal gas.
     
  18. Aug 6, 2022 at 9:27 AM
    #18
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    I hijacked this thread because I wanted to learn about OPs replacement part. The picture of the tank with gas pouring out is yet again another guy's (2020 Tundra) tank. I'll bump my original thread and get of this one...
     
  19. Aug 7, 2022 at 9:13 AM
    #19
    Sampson

    Sampson [OP] New Member

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    The 18.4 gallon specification is incorrect. What you're looking at in my photos is supposedly, according to Rockauto, an 18.4 gallon tank... and yet it is exactly the same shape and size as the tank I removed. The website is wrong.
     
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  20. Aug 7, 2022 at 9:15 AM
    #20
    Sampson

    Sampson [OP] New Member

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    In my case, yes, corrosion. Truck lives in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Basically worst case scenario in terms of road salt.
     
    Jack McCarthy[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Aug 7, 2022 at 11:12 AM
    #21
    w666

    w666 D. None of the above

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    Excellent...thanks!

    Oh...and which one? Dorman, or another?
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2022
  22. Aug 7, 2022 at 1:34 PM
    #22
    Jack McCarthy

    Jack McCarthy Truck repair enthusiast; Rust Aficionado

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    I'll have to check that on mine since I've occasionally gotten a leak and couldn't tell where it was leaking. Mine only occurs when I fill the tank though.
     

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