Do you have a car gas tank leak? Do you want to know a car gas tank leak repair cost? Well, you’re soo welcome because below, we have provided some ways you can deal with a car gas tank leak and how much a car gas tank leak repair costs.
This will save you a whole lot since brand new tanks are quite expensive. You will be guided step-by-step on confirming a gasoline leakage from your tank, the exact cause, how to repair it, and car gas tank leak repair cost.
Let’s begin!
Car Gas Tank Leak Repair Cost
If you have a gas leak in your car, it will cost you between $150 and $1,500 to fix it. Two of the most common causes of gas leaks are corrosion of the tank or a puncture in the tank. If your tank is corroded, it might be easier to fix.
If you have to replace your tank due to the leak, you could expect to pay from $1,300 to $1,400. The price of gas tanks varies significantly depending on the make and model of the car, but they generally cost around $1,000. The mechanic’s labor for a job like this will generally average $250 to $350.
Also Read: How to Reset Gas Gauge Needle (Expert Guide)
How Do I Know if My Car Is Leaking Gas?
The fuel tanks on most cars are durable enough to withstand various pressures, temperatures, and driving situations. But it will eventually deteriorate with time, just like all the other car components. There’s a chance it will burst at any time. The following are the typical indications that your car’s gas leaks:
A sweet smell, a sharp drop in gasoline level, and a spill under your vehicle.
1. Sweet Smell
Gasoline has a naturally pleasing aroma. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in the United States (ATSDR) claims that benzene, which improves your car’s mileage and performance, is the component that gives it its distinctive scent.
You might smell gasoline while driving or when your automobile is just sitting still. While the smell should shortly go as it burns inside the engine. Find evidence of a leaking gasoline tank if the odor lingers or intensifies.
2. Sharp Drop In Gasoline Level
Checking the levels on your gasoline gauge is a quick way to see if there is a leak., although it’s hardly a foolproof method. If your car loses a substantial amount of gas, you will be able to find some leakage.
First, observe where the fuel gauge’s needle is located while your automobile is parked (and the engine turned off). Then start your car again. The fuel level displayed on your car’s gauge has to be the same as the value when it wasn’t moving.
However, if a drop is noticed, it can be a sign that your fuel level is low. You should keep an eye out for one or more of the following as a driver:
- The amount of petrol in your tank decreases somewhat or significantly, even if your car hasn’t consumed that much.
- The gauge shows that you still need gas after refueling your tank.
- You continue refueling your car to go the same distance you’ve traveled before, at the same speed too.
3. Spill Under Your Vehicle
Consult the owner’s manual if you’re still unsure of where the petrol tank is located in your car. Once you’ve done that, look for damp places just under the tank.
You will typically see a small, brown, or orange gasoline puddle if you leave your car parked on gravel or paved road for a long period. You shouldn’t park it on or next to grass because a leak can cause them to turn brown and die.
How to Know That a Gas Leak Is From the Gas Tank
Determine whether a fuel leak is coming from the fuel line or fuel tank as soon as you notice one beneath the vehicle. Repairing a fuel line is simple; it is also less expensive. If you have some extensive mechanical skills, you could even do it yourself at home. Else, it will cost you between $60 and $100.
You can hire a mechanic to perform an inspection to find the source of the leak. The mechanic will glance at the ground to determine whether the drip is immediately beneath the tank.
The tank will then be examined to see whether or not it is leaking.
The mechanic will then let you know if the tank can be fixed or if a replacement is necessary. While certain repairs can be completed with the tank inside the vehicle, others call for the removal of the tank.
Draining the gas, cutting the gasoline lines, releasing the holding straps, and removing the tank are all necessary when pulling the tank for maintenance or replacement. While the fuel lines are removed, your mechanic should also take the time to check them and make sure they are in good condition.
Also Read: Car Won’t Start After Getting Gas (Causes & Solutions)
What Causes a Leak in the Gas Tank?
Corrosion is the first one. Older vehicles are more likely to experience this, which may be more frequent if there is a lot of snow and salt on the roadways. Rust and corrosion can result from leaks at the seams or tiny leaks elsewhere on the tank.
A rusted tank may need to be replaced; it may be possible to repair or reseal it.
A puncture is the second problem you could have with a leaky gas tank. Despite its relative toughness, gas tanks can be pierced if you go over a tree branch or other item that strikes it precisely at a specific place.
How to Fix a Gas Tank Leak
In addition to car gas tank leak repair costs, a leaky gas tank can be hazardous and cause an explosion or fire that might be fatal. Therefore, a leaky fuel tank must be fixed once it is discovered.
You have two options: either take it for repairs at a mechanic shop and pay money or do it yourself and save roughly $100. Below is a simple guide on how to quickly fix a gas tank leak in your car.
Things required:
- compound for epoxy puttying gas tank repairs
- Car jack
- Jack Stands
- Sandpaper
- Alcohol for rubbing, or other degreasers
- Clean rag or towel
- Kitchen gloves or vinyl
- Safety goggles
- Filtration masks
Step 1 – Jack the Vehicle Up
Set the jack stands underneath the car after raising the car to a proper height, so the jack can stand. Lower the jack once the jack’s supports are positioned below the car so that the car may safely rest there while you work underneath it.
Step 2: Locate the Gas Tank Leak
Examine the fuel tank when on the ground beneath the car. Find the location of the leaky tank or any small evident holes where fuel leaks out or drips away.
Step 3: Sand the Tank’s Leaky Area
Sand the area where there is leakage with sandpaper. Around the hole or leak in the gas tank, sand the area to about one and a half inches in diameter.
Step 4: Ensure the Area Is Clean
To completely clean the side that has already been sanded, use another degreaser or alcohol and then a towel. Make sure you clean out any debris that could prevent the epoxy compound from curing or being appropriately applied, such as grease, dirt, or grime.
Step 5: Combine the Epoxy
To mix the compound, adhere to the direction of the manufacturer. The compound forms two separate tubes that may need to be combined for a few minutes; just ensure you use it, or it will dry. For combining the compound, strictly adhere to the directions on the pack.
Step 6: Apply and Shape the Epoxy
Take a one to a one-half-inch piece of the epoxy compound and cut it off. The epoxy should then be shaped into a little cone, with a point at the peak and a larger or broader base.
Step 7: Fill the Hole With Epoxy
The epoxy cone tip must be inserted into the bore in the fuel tank once the compound (epoxy) has been properly shaped into a cone. Put as much epoxy compound into the bore as it will fit, then press and smoothen the remaining parts of the compound onto the sanded area.
A few droplets of water can assist the smoothening process to go more smoothly and better integrate with the sanded substance.
Step 8: Add Gasoline Fuel to the Tank
When the epoxy is dried and hardened, you can fill your car’s gas tank as usual. Once the tank is full, be careful to inspect it once more for leaks. But if you followed the above instructions, the leak ought to be sealed at this point, and the epoxy should last for a very long time.
Basics of a Gas Tank’s Function
Despite what many people believe, there is a lot more to a gasoline tank than just holding gasoline. You can spot the release valve on the tank’s neck, which enables fuel to enter the tank and replace the atmospheric air inside. The pump should stop when the tank is full.
The mechanical float that measures the gasoline level in the fuel tank is adjusted.
Unless you’re conducting restoration work or when a puncture is noticed, that is only when fuel tanks need to be replaced. Drivers living in harsh conditions, such as high humidity, extreme cold or heat, salt, sand, or water, could discover that their gasoline tank does not last as long as that of people who live in more temperate climates.
Also Read: Why Does the Gas Pump Keep Stopping? (Solved)
Frequently Asked Questions – Car Gas Tank Leak Repair Cost
Can a Leaking Gas Tank Be Repaired?
Yes, a gas tank leak can be repairedd. Before repairing the tank, you must drain all the remaining gasoline, remove the fuel tank, clean it, and finally repair it. Any error made during this procedure could result in significant and costly issues. It is preferable to leave this to an experienced mechanic or technician.
Can I Use Stop Leak In My Gas Tank?
Stop leak might work for minute holes, pinholes, and cracks less than half an inch in size. However, it could easily lead to using many stop leaks, which can result in long-term engine damage. A stop leak can clog up parts like fuel injectors while also stopping small leakages in your fuel tank.
Can you drive with a leaking fuel tank?
Driving a vehicle with a gas leak is never a good idea. An example of the leading cause of car fires is fuel leakage. Due to the great flammability of the gas, the gasoline may ignite a fire from either inside the car or gasoline left over by the leaky car.
Where do gas tanks usually leak?
Gasoline may just coagulate on the fuel tank, and it will evaporate if a leak is small enough to prevent the formation of a pool. Under the bonnet or along with its chassis, a dripping gasoline line could get fuel on other parts. This is why the scent of gasoline, as opposed to a visual gas pool, is frequently a better and more evident sign of fuel leakage.
How much is a fuel tank leak?
Depending on the issues in question, the repair cost may be the same for all issues. Costs for replacing fuel tanks range from $1,263 to $1,411. Your car’s gas tank leak repair cost may be less than $200 if the tank can be repaired using epoxy compound or welding.
Does insurance cover fuel tank damage?
The comprehensive insurance section of your motor policy will pay for repairs if a burglar damages your vehicle while stealing fuel by boring holes in the gasoline tank or forcing open the fuel door.
What causes a gas tank to leak?
Car fuel leaks are typically caused by either a gas tank puncture or rust. It might be simpler to repair a rusted gas tank. It is far simpler (and less expensive) to replace worn-down seams along the gas tank’s borders.
Conclusion – Car Gas Tank Leak Repair Cost
If you have a gas leak in your car, it will cost you between $150 and $1,500 to fix it. Two of the most common causes of gas leaks are corrosion of the tank or a puncture in the tank. If your tank is corroded, it might be easier to fix.
We hope this post was of help to you. Please feel free to check out our other blog articles if you want to get more tips for fixing and preventing car troubles!