95 S14 fuel leak. Need help. - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

cflslider · 01-21-2012, 12:19 PM

So I've been reading various threads and hoping like hell this leak isn't a crack in the tank since it appears replacing the S14 tank is a nightmare.
Drip leak appears to have started within the last couple of days. Wife was using the car (first mistake,never to be repeated) and I just happened to notice the fuel smell.
Even on a incline, the fuel was leaking from the rear of the passengers side of the tank traveling to about mid way and then dripping. From the 'flow' that I could see, it was coming from around the strap area but that may not be the actual source.
I checked hoses at top of tank under trunk access cover and nothing appears to be leaking.
Car has about 1/4 to 1/8 tank of gas and runs fine.
Just so I could get a better view of things I tried to towel off the tank and realised that wouldn't work since it's probably under pressure so the leak would just keep getting things wet.
I prepared to de-pressurize sytem and took the fuel cap off. No leak !!
Assuming it's a cracked tank should that happen ? I would think if the leak were anywhere that fuel is it would still leak.
Anybody got an idea ?? I've never had to replace a tank on any car I've owned so I'm in uncharted waters here.
Where else should i be looking and how do I gain access ??
Thanks All. If there's another thread that I've missed, please feel free to give a link and I'll check it out.

di-devol · 01-21-2012, 12:32 PM

You are most likely going to have to drop the tank. If its a crack you will see it.if you don't see a crack it could be your overflow drain. Put some new clamps on each side of the hose. My buddy had the same problem. Look for surface rust, its a good indicator of where its leaking.

cflslider · 01-21-2012, 01:02 PM

Here's another bit of info.
As I said, with the fuel cap off I get no apparent leak. I just put the cap back on and turned the ignition key to on position (didn't actually try to start it). Obviously at that point the fuel pump primes and the leak started again.
Turned key back off. Took filler cap back off. No apparent pressure yet in tank.
Would it make sense to think that it's more likely a hose or fitting in the pressure line somewhere ? Still no indication of a leak up on top where I can only see a little.
Where is the overflow drain located ??

blueshark123 · 01-21-2012, 01:46 PM

Sounds like a leaking hose. Also The tank doesnt always pressurize.

cflslider · 01-21-2012, 02:19 PM

Assuming it's a hose, what's the best way to approach replacing it ?? Even getting to the hoses and fittings at and around the pump looks darned near impossible.
Am I really stuck with the idea of dropping the whole rearend and subframe in order to drop the tank ??

blueshark123 · 01-21-2012, 02:21 PM

use a coat hanger to snake it through if the hose are bad.

01-21-2012, 12:19 PM	#1
cflslider Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: palm bay, FL Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	95 S14 fuel leak. Need help. So I've been reading various threads and hoping like hell this leak isn't a crack in the tank since it appears replacing the S14 tank is a nightmare. Drip leak appears to have started within the last couple of days. Wife was using the car (first mistake,never to be repeated) and I just happened to notice the fuel smell. Even on a incline, the fuel was leaking from the rear of the passengers side of the tank traveling to about mid way and then dripping. From the 'flow' that I could see, it was coming from around the strap area but that may not be the actual source. I checked hoses at top of tank under trunk access cover and nothing appears to be leaking. Car has about 1/4 to 1/8 tank of gas and runs fine. Just so I could get a better view of things I tried to towel off the tank and realised that wouldn't work since it's probably under pressure so the leak would just keep getting things wet. I prepared to de-pressurize sytem and took the fuel cap off. No leak !! Assuming it's a cracked tank should that happen ? I would think if the leak were anywhere that fuel is it would still leak. Anybody got an idea ?? I've never had to replace a tank on any car I've owned so I'm in uncharted waters here. Where else should i be looking and how do I gain access ?? Thanks All. If there's another thread that I've missed, please feel free to give a link and I'll check it out. Last edited by cflslider; 01-21-2012 at 02:15 PM..

01-21-2012, 12:32 PM	#2
di-devol Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Woodinville Age: 43 Posts: 1,412 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	You are most likely going to have to drop the tank. If its a crack you will see it.if you don't see a crack it could be your overflow drain. Put some new clamps on each side of the hose. My buddy had the same problem. Look for surface rust, its a good indicator of where its leaking.

01-21-2012, 01:02 PM	#3
cflslider Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: palm bay, FL Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Here's another bit of info. As I said, with the fuel cap off I get no apparent leak. I just put the cap back on and turned the ignition key to on position (didn't actually try to start it). Obviously at that point the fuel pump primes and the leak started again. Turned key back off. Took filler cap back off. No apparent pressure yet in tank. Would it make sense to think that it's more likely a hose or fitting in the pressure line somewhere ? Still no indication of a leak up on top where I can only see a little. Where is the overflow drain located ??

01-21-2012, 01:46 PM	#4
blueshark123 Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 5,481 Trader Rating: (55) Feedback Score: 55 reviews	Sounds like a leaking hose. Also The tank doesnt always pressurize.

01-21-2012, 02:19 PM	#5
cflslider Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: palm bay, FL Posts: 3 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Assuming it's a hose, what's the best way to approach replacing it ?? Even getting to the hoses and fittings at and around the pump looks darned near impossible. Am I really stuck with the idea of dropping the whole rearend and subframe in order to drop the tank ??

01-21-2012, 02:21 PM	#6
blueshark123 Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 5,481 Trader Rating: (55) Feedback Score: 55 reviews	use a coat hanger to snake it through if the hose are bad.