I bought a 1987 Nissan Maxima not too long ago and filled it up with fuel for the first time yesterday. Then I left it in my driveway while i was out for about 6 hours. When I got home there was a spreading puddle of gas next to the left rear tire on the underside of the car. This has not hppened before. The drip appears to be coming from right above a brake line, dripping onto the brake line and then falling to the ground. This leak has continued until the present, April 8th.
How or where can I get an educated idea about what this might be before I go to the mechanic as I am a single woman who doesn’t want to go in with no clue and be taken advantage of?
I don’t know what’s located right above the brake line, but the most likely cause for what you describe is leakage in the fuel filler piping. This runs from the filler neck (where you put the gas nozzle) to the side of the gas tank, and consists of metal tubing 3-4" diameter with a rubber hose connection, which is the primary suspect. Another possibility is the tank vent piping, which runs from the filler neck to the top of the tank, with 1" diameter tubing and rubber hose.
I have had a tank develop a leak in a late model car once. It was where the filler tube met the tank. It sort of seeped out when I filled it up to the brim. I went to the local Pep boys shop and got an estimate. I was astounded at the cost. To remove the tank, dispose of the fuel, rinse with water, braze the filler tube back into tank, rinse, dry, reinstall was to cost $650.
I decided to fix it myself, or at least try. While almost empty I applied , then bought some JBWeld (a two part putty that hardens when mixed together). While on the car, I scraped the leaky area with a brass wire brush, wiped it clean with solvent, and placed a strip of my JBWeld putty over the area, making certain to push it into the pin hole. I let it sit over night and it fixed my leak for the next 2 years until I sold the vehicle.
I think I went off on a ramble… my question should have been " you just recently purchased it, what is the possiblity of you returning this vehicle or having the seller repair this leak?"
GASONLINE is dangerous… 1st: stop filling it up so full to prevent further leakage.
2nd have a mechanic look at it and idenitfy the problem. Ask in advance how much the estimate will be. If it is more than what you feel comfortable parting with, get a 2nd opinion. Hopefully it will just be a little hose, and not leak in your actuall fuel tank.
Back Online , wow, $650 is what I paid for the whole car.
Everyone I have asked has said it’s probably the fuel filler piping, we just didn’t have the name for it. Since we’ve driven it a little more it has stopped leaking while sitting still but still leaks at red lights, etc. BUt now at least I have something to tell the mechanic.
Thanks. If anyone has even more info please keep sharing.
