Is 42mpg too low a goal?

[NeilBlanchard]

Maybe the gas tank can be patched? I know this guy who is pretty good with sheet aluminum...

Can you see how to drop the tank?

[Istas]

Sort of, Neil, but I don't even have wheel stands here, let alone a lift. And it also involves removing the tailpipe.

Dammit, I should've gotten the tank replaced when I had the fuel lines and brake lines above the tank replaced.

Anyone know if you can actually patch a tank? Or is the only real option to get a different tank that doesn't leak? First price I came across online for a tank for my car is $300, ugh.

[QuickLTD]

AutoZone sells it for $243. There is an epoxy stick you can use for temporary repair or else you would need to have it sent out to be cleaned (in and out) and welded. Do NOT attempt to weld it yourself..

Does it only leak when full? Maybe its just the ring that seals the pump/fuel level sender into the tank.

[McTimson]

The junkyard around here sells gas tanks for less than $20, but you have to pull it yourself. It's about a 3 hour drive from Reading. I think I've seen some Legacy's there, but I'm not positive.

I would figure out how big the hole is first, if it's a gaping hole, then definitely replace it, but if it's like a pinhole or something, then go with the epoxy stuff.

[Istas]

*nods* There's a "Harry's U-Pull-It" about an hour or less from Reading, over near Allentown. I'll see how much they're asking, when I get home.

In the meantime, it looks like someone in town (who is a competent mechanic vouched for by the friends I'm staying with) might be willing to drop the tank for me for $25 an hour for labor. That's worth waiting here to get it fixed vs. going home. back east it'd probably be $55 an hour at least.

And it gives me time to work on front wheel deflectors. I actually did some aero testing for the placement of those today, by putting tufts on the bottom of the undertray, then dipping the ends in orange paint, driving, then stopping and seeing where they were flopping the most. The conclusion is that there's a heck of a lot of turbulence (probably because of the 90-degree front transition), but I at least have an idea of which way the air is going now. Plus, the deflectors I want to make will be far smoother than just a flat vertical piece in front of the wheels, so that should help too.

[McTimson]

Haha, the junkyard here is called Gary's U-Pull-It. Maybe they're brothers or something

I'm very impressed by your progress with this stuff, it looks like you're covering lots of ground in the aero department. I'm looking forward to some more results from your mods.

[Istas]

Thanks for the encouragement and compliments. It helps with the frustration of trying to save gas only to have it leaking directly out of the tank.

[stevey_frac]

Originally Posted by Istas

Thanks for the encouragement and compliments. It helps with the frustration of trying to save gas only to have it leaking directly out of the tank.

Indeed. We feel your frustration friend.

[evolutionmovement]

I'm not sure about the sedans, but the wagon's fuel pump is accessible through a hatch under the carpet. If it only leaks when full, it could be leaking from there. Most likely place is the fuel filler neck, though. Might just be that.

[Istas]

My sedan's fuel pump is accessible through a hatch at the very very back of the trunk, so close to the back seat that you can't use a normal screwdriver to get at it without pulling something in your back in the process. I know from experience, heh. That was the first place I checked but it was bone dry around the filter.

Also, I had a leak earlier from the fuel lines above the gas tank. I bypassed the metal delivery hose with a rubber fuel line, drawing it through the space with a hanger so I wouldn't have to drop the tank to do it. It started leaking back there again recently, though, and my rear brake lines were too, so I just had all three of the short fuel line lengths on the top of the tank replaced along with the rear fuel lines, all at once.

If I'd known this would happen I might have just bought a new tank then and there.

I've also had the fuel filler neck leak and get replaced. It leaked because the plastic guard that Subaru had put in place to protect the neck from gravel and whatnot, trapped dirt and water and rusted out the pipe instead. It's funny, many of the points where there are/were rust holes on this car, are where Subaru had plastic against, or next to, metal. Good going, Subaru.

It could be the fuel filler neck again, it's hard to see where it's leaking because it seems to be from near the top. The tank gets wet, I didn't see fuel on the filler neck but then again I wasn't looking. It'll be something to watch for, thanks for the tip/reminder, evo-move.