Hey guys, I just acquired my 69 Buick Special. After doing some rear suspension work I noticed the gas tank was leaking fuel badly. We traced it to the vent area possibly. Can you guys help me diagnose this issue and what its suppose to look like? It seems there might be some aftermarket work done, but I am not sure. I took it to a mechanic and he is really honest and said he will have to do some research since he is also not sure what its suppose to look like. It looks like there is a black tube coming out of the front of the gas tank bent upward towards the top and there is a large slit in it. So this seems to be the obvious issue right? Please give me any and all tips and help as well as links, pics, and prices for this repair since I know nothing about this. Then when I parked it on a hill gas was pouring out of the engine bay big time. I traced it down to what seems to be the fuel filter lower front right hand side looking at the engine. How much do those cost and what are the tips, ideas, ticks, links, pics you may have to help me and my mechanic? Thanks guys, this is a major deal that I need to get fixed right away.
The first vent line from the tank is correct. It just needs a surge tube at the top. A strap holds it vertical. Try www.thepartsplaceinc.com An A body Olds from 70 is the same. This design does tend to purge fuel when full and parked on an incline. The next device is a fuel pump. They are sold everywhere. The lines may need replacing. They are standard and sold everywhere. Due to risk of fire do not crank this car until it is repaired. There are likely other lines under the car due to be changed.
So since there is a large crack in my surge tube that is most likely the gas tank leaking issue? Now how much would it cost for that tube as well as a fuel pump and fuel lines? What does something like that run? Lastly is $80 per hour labor reasonable?
You could have rubber lines around the tank leaking and so forth. I am not commenting on the prices except to say it is an old car and expensive maintenance issues are normal. If this is an issue you need a modern car.
Some fuel line hose and some clamps. It isn't brain surgery. It's just a vent. Maybe you broke it with your spring install? This one will work, http://www.ebay.com/itm/69-70-71-Ch...ash=item2c6dc8b0d7:g:iskAAOxyoA1RXDYf&vxp=mtr There are one or two rubber hoses near the fuel pump, very easy to replace them.
Okay thank you very much. I really appreciate that. Do I need to drain the tank first to install the venting system/hoses? And would this be the fuel pump? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mechanical-...ash=item2ef64e306f:g:IiMAAOSw3KFWfePu&vxp=mtr To replace this, do I need to drain the fuel or do anything special? Is it as easy as pulling off the hoses and literally just screwing this on and then putting the hoses back on?
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=58848&cc=1022937&jsn=397 Yes, that looks like the fuel pump for a car with A/C. The most difficult part about replacing a fuel pump is loosening and tightening the metal line. You need a flare nut wrench to avoid rounding off the nut. You also need to turn the engine to TDC #1 cylinder so that the pump goes in easy. Pinch the rubber line from the tank closed with a pair of vice grips to avoid any fuel siphoning from the tank. I wouldn't be so quick to replace the fuel pump unless I was sure it is bad.
Fuel was just pouring out of it or at least from the side crack of it. You're saying it could be just a hose? If I just had my mechanic do this, would he know all this stuff you're talking about already in general or are these specific Buick techniques?
Are you talking about the fuel pump or the tank vent? If the fuel pump has a big crack in it, it's obvious that it needs to be changed. Yes, any mechanic should know how to change a fuel pump.
Nope, there is confusion still. You say fuel filter lower front right side. The fuel PUMP is on the driver's side front lower. Fuel pumps don't commonly leak, but that is possible. Usually they just stop pumping fuel or the pumping is erratic which leads to hesitation and stalling. The hoses going into and out of the pump can get dried out porous/crack, and leak fuel. This is something you have to investigate and look at, because we can't tell you what is wrong, we are not there. The vent hoses are easy, if you need a mechanic to take care of that, you probably should not be trying to do the fuel pump. As long as the fuel tank isn't over full, replacing the vent hoses requires nothing more than buying some fuel line hose, cutting it to length, and securing it with some hose clamps. The same applies to the fuel line hose going in and out of the fuel pump. Buy the hose, cut it to length, and remove the old and replace.
No offense, but if your mechanic doesn't know how to fix a vent hose on a fuel tank or how to replace a fuel pump on a car, he should have his tools taken away from him and find another line of work
Perhaps someone has installed aftermarket plastic fuel filter and a rubber line on the drivers side between the fuel pump and the carb.
Yup, perhaps, we need pictures I guess. "If you cannot clear up the confusion at least make the confusion clear." I like that.:laugh:
Post of picture of the "fuel pump" or "filter" where it is leaking. That will go a long way in figuring out what the part is. It could have an aftermarket fuel filter installed.
First here are pictures of the vent hoses on the gas tank. In one pic you can see one of the hoses has a crack in it. This seems to be my problem? Her are some hoses coming out of the other side. I haven't seen any leaks on this side though. I stand corrected. Here now is the fuel pump that literally pours out fuel when at a certain angle leaning forward. Kind of like a steady stream very low flow faucet. You can still see some areas that are wet. It seems to be running out of the bottom here and down this hose. Keep in mind ONLY when at a foward severe angle such as facing down a hill or back is up on a driveway and the front tires are in the street. So maybe now that we have pictures and a more clear understanding (sorry about that) maybe you guys can now lead me in the right direction. Its been a long time since I have worked on a car, 20 years or so, but if this is a simple fix I would much rather save the hundreds of dollars. What are all the pieces I will need for the job and can I get these things from the local Auto Zone? I know I will need: -zip ties -Hose clamps -new fuel pump hoses -possibly new main metal fuel line to the engine -possibly new fuel pump If you think I should just get everything new, I would probably prefer just taking it to a mechanic.
I would just replace all the rubber hose, they look old and crusty. What you need is 3/8" and 1/4" fuel line hose. You can buy it by the foot or in 3' lengths boxed. Get some hose clamps. Then just cut the old hoses off and replace them. This applies to the vent and fuel pump hoses.
Larry-- does a 69 Have a splice of fuel hose at the mid point of the chassis along the frame rail? If so, it also needs to be replaced. I would look to see if the valve cover gaskets are leaking. There is a lot of oil caked on the engine.
Yeah there seems to be an area where a little oil is leaking from the driver side valve cover. This engine hasn't been touched since 1969 so yeah it needs some TLC, but I am mostly concerned with the fuel issue for right now especially since the oil level holds really well every time I check it and there are no noticeable drips of oil at this point. No oil stains on the ground either. Just the gas leaks. Maybe I can look into the oil thing after this.
