YIKES!!! Gas dripping onto exhaust

[george mills]

Hi Mike,
Just went through this myself. The gas tank is like an up-side down
saddle with big bags on it. At the front of the saddle on a horse it
fits over the withers. On the Q (it's up-side down remember) the rear
diff (the withers of the horse) needs space so essentially you have a
"split" tank. Two sides, one on either side of the drive.
Unfortunately a lot of crap ends up in there. Nice little holding area
for crap. Since I got my 87 5kq about four years ago I religiously
sprayed the thing with oily goo knowing that I *would not* want to
ever replace it. After 15 years it finally gave out and caused just
what you are experiencing. Gas leak onto the exhaust. Not good. There
is really no way you can get to the area in a reasonable way to try
and patch it. To do it properly you would have to drop the rear end
and all assorted bits (labour up the hoop), and by that time you're
ready to drop the tank anyway. Now you have a disabled vehicle with a
gas tank that needs to be redone. If you don't mind the down time, go
for it. Up here the procedure is to cut out the rusty part and weld in
new, then coat the whole thing which brings it to almost "brand new."
I was lucky as there was a redone tank about 100km from me for 400
Canabucks. New from dealer is ~2000 Canabucks. I farmed the labour out
on mine as I don't have a lift or a garage, two very important things
to have when considering this r&r.
If this is the problem (hope it ain't) and you need one shipped to
you, there is a "hazardous material" fee you have to pay if you use
the known shippers. If you find one and a buddy can drop it off you'll
definitely owe him whatever quenches his thirst :)
Just ramblin' on here,
Geo
>Just found gas leak under car (87 5kcstq). Exhaust component coated with gas
>dripping from left side of gas tank. Looks like I'll be towing to my mechanic
>on Mon.
>
>Checking if anyone has had similar problem/solution: