Toyota Corolla Wagon 1995: The 2 after-market tanks have a manufacturing defect that started leaking just a month after the warranty ran out. I’d love to get my hands on used tank that’s in good shape. My mechanic suggested one from Florida or California - or off a car that has been garage-bound most of its life-time. Who should i call or what web site should I look at?
This may be water under the bridge since you likely got rid of the original tank, but they can be fixed.
Look for ‘radiator repair’ in your local yellow pages. They can often clean, repair and pressure test gas tanks as well
I’ve had it done several times on antique cars/trucks, where one does not readily have the option of buying a replacement. It is also cheaper than buying a new tank, I suspect.
Maybe this option lets you buy a local tank from a parted out car and just get it checked and installed by one of these shops.
Is your mechanic absolutely, positively, sure beyond all doubt that the tanks are actually leaking?
Where are they leaking at?
Any chance this leak could be caused by an installation problem?
Or improper venting?
This Is A Good Example Of The Problems One Can Have Trying To Continue Using A 16 To 17 Year-Old Vehicle. Electronics And Wiring Problems Are Another Issue, But That’s Not All. Throw In Road Salt And The Problems Accelerate. This Car Was Not Intended For A Life-Time Of Use.
I’m extremely thrifty. I try keeping cars on the road way past what would make sense (10 -15 years & 200,000 - 300,000 miles, currently). I have had cars that I absoluteIy love to drive. I keep cars so long that they become a family member or friend. Sometimes you need to take a step back and reevalute the situation.
It’s one thing to have a car to tinker with as a hobby. I own two Pontiac Fieros that are older than your wagon. I wouldn’t want to rely on these cars for everyday transportation. The reasons are age of vehicle and safety.
I had somebody tell me once that there comes a time when you have to say goodbye to your best friends. This car is a senior citizen in car years and should begin a well deserved retirement.
Easy for me to say (choking back tears), but consider upgrading to a newer machine and starting a new friendship. A newer car will be a safer car and parts should be more readily available.
Consider stopping the leak with some JB Weld until you find that new (newer) friend.
CSA
Thanks so much for all the input!
The combination of getting a used tank and then having it checked by a radiator specialist makes the most sense, and is the most helpful suggestion so far. The current leaking tank will be photographed for the manufacturer with a request for reimbursement.
My original question remains: My mechanic suggested a used tank from Florida or California - or off a car that has been garage-bound most of its life-time. Who should i call or what web site should I look at?
To answer others: yes, it’s leaking; no, we’re not in a position to buy a new and/or used car right now and probably will be in another year or so.
Most parts recycling yards have a nation-wide line that they can use to put in a request for a special part. I would suggest contacting one in your area to see what they can do. I would also look on the internet (eBay motors, etc) to see what’s out there for sale and go from there.
TRY WWW.CAR-PART.COM its an online junkyard listing service with listings from all over the US… I have used it to find parts in the past with great success !!
www.car-part.com has a searchable database that shows cars/parts from all over the US along with prices. It also tells you the state the car is located in.
Having a used gas tank shipped might be a problem…If possible, it will be expensive…
+1 Caddyman.
They won’t like the gas smell, though, and could refuse to send it for that reason, if they notice. The tank would need to be cleaned before shipping.
You can ship very large things inexpensively by means of Greyhound but they have to be amenable to that because they have to drop it off at they local bus depot and you have to pick it up at your local depot.
I’ve had quarter panels shipped for $40 halfway across country that way.
It would be better to buy it locally.
There are still no answers provided about where the tanks are leaking and why the mechanic is continuing to replace tanks en masse.
While it’s not a rare thing, a mechanic should not swap the same part without pondering WHY he’s having to repeat the process; especially on something so simple as an inert gas tank.
I was asking about the source of the leaks, etc because of something that Twin Turbo mentioned; a tank vent problem.
While vent problems that are severe enough to damage a tank are rare, it can happen.
Many years ago VW at one time had an occasional problem with a tank canister inside the front fender. This could sometimes distort the gas tank and in some cases would almost flatten the tank. In the worst cases the owner had a car with a tank that only took 3 gallons to fill up. 
My local foreign parts place only has a rusted gas tank for my car.
Located 3 tanks on Ebay motors that look like a match; emailed sellers to confirm. Shipping looks like 20$ - 40$ UPS depending on where it’s coming from. One is indeed from Florida. Will let you all know how this turns out.
Thanks!
P.S. two out of the three on Ebay are AfterMarket tanks. Ugh!
Shipping a new tank is not the issue as it never had fuel in it, but shipping a used tank is an issue because it will probably still have fuel vapors in it.
OK4450, I learned a long time ago that on this site you cannot force the horse to drink. Some people have tunnel vision and are insulting to boot. Best to let it go. You’re wasting your time.
The way the after-market tank is stamped out in the factory creates a weakness on the bottom of the tank that shows up just a little over a year after being installed. These two tanks have been looked at by 2 different mechanics and have also been soldered. Leakage has been seen on the ground.
I have a full understanding of the problem with the existing tank. I am seeking assistance in locating a used one that is not after-market. Thank you all!
I seriously doubt that you can get a used tank shipped to you. Even though it may be empty and even flushed out there’s a chance of gas vapors still being in the tank. You’d think there wouldn’t be…but there are.
You have to either find a used OEM tank locally…or buy a new OEM tank.
The other option…is get a NEW aftermarket tank…and have the area that’s weak reinforced so it won’t leak…DO THIS BEFORE YOU PUT ANY GAS IN THE TANK.
I really don’t see too many options for you.
None of the sellers on Ebay Auto have any problem shipping by UPS.
Again carolyn that’s because they are not OEM and are new AFTERMARKET units. New tanks are no problem to ship, used tanks are the issue due to gas fumes and potential explosions.