Welp, looks like my beloved 98 Lumina has a gas tank leak of some sort. Don’t worry. I’m not driving it at the moment. I am lucky that my fiance isn’t using her vehicle much right now and I can bum around in her’s.
I don’t need to describe the ailment. Let’s just say I am 100% positive the fuel tank needs to be replaced. I’m also fairly certain that when I take the Lumina in they’ll probably suggest changing the fuel pump (I don’t think this has ever been done) and probably the fuel lines.
With that gaggle of work set before me, any mechanics/shop people want to give me a ball park as to how much this might cost? I’m aware it’s an older car, and I don’t mind putting a little more money into it rather than getting a new one, as I’m sort of in the middle of a huge life transition (moving, again). I’ve heard estimates ranging anywhere from $400 to $1600, with the higher end being dealership (please note: I’ve never and will never take my car to a dealership).
The last one I replaced was on a Chevy Impala (1984 model) and it cost around $350 or so. Tank was metal.
A tank on a BMW at that time would have cost 3 times as much. Since it is a Chevy, I would budget around $500-$600 (all inclusive) at an independent shop. Shops that do radiators usually also do gas tanks.
Repairing a gas tank is usually not economical.
That’s not bad. I was expecting about that much. Looking at my tank I don’t see how exactly it could be “repaired” anyways.
Unfortunately I’m not going to an independent shop. All those 5 star rated places near me have a week and a half wait and while I’m not using the car, I’m sure it’s still not safe sitting in the parking lot.
Thanks for the input.
Have a good independent mechanic check out your gas tank for the source of the leak. My son was all set to buy a new gas tank for his truck but the problem turned out to be a bad fuel pump installation by the former owner. The gasket was missing from the fuel pump mount on the top of the tank. He spent a few dollars on a new mounting gasket and hose clamps.
Thanks for the advice guys, but I am very certain I want a new gas tank. I can actually see a rusted crack in the back from which the slow drip is coming from. And that’s likely just one of the places it’s leaking from.
If it’s rusted like that…replace it.
I’ve attached a picture so you guys know what I’m talking about. The fuel itself seems to have made a door from which to escape. The leak is still slow, but look at that. Right by the exhaust, too.