Hoping to get some sage advice here. I took my 69 Z28 out this weekend, filled it up and after a short ride, parked it in my garage. Later I caught the smell of high-test and found a steady dripping leak of gas coming from the front-passenger edge of the gas tank. I couldn't see exactly where it had come from, but the lip around the tank was full of gas on the passenger side. The driver side seemed dry. There is a tube and what felt like a short piece of rubber hose above the tank lip near the passenger side wheel. It was soaked in gas. I put the rear on jack stands to get a better look and the leak stopped. I dried it up, and couldn't find the source. A couple days later I took it off the stands, checked it out, and took it for a spin. When I parked it again, the leak appeared as before, just not as bad. I have no idea why jacking the rear up would have stopped the leak.

Aside from putting tall wheels on the rear, any thoughts or suggestions for troubleshooting this leak? I heard that there is a bit of hose that sometimes goes bad back there. Is this true? If so, where and what kind of hose? Is it a piece of hose I can pick up locally at a part store, or an OEM style part I'll need to order?

If not that, any other ideas of what it could be? I'll try and get it on a lift later this week.

Thanks!

D

 

There is a short piece of 3/8 inch fuel hose that connects the hard line on the fuel sending unit to the hard fuel line running along the underside of the car. You may have to drain and lower the tank to get to the sending unit side.

 

Looking at the assembly manual, sheet 8-B1, I think I see the hose in question. Since the part number does not give me any returns when searching, can I safely assume that this can be replaced with a piece of 3/8" hose from my local parts store cut to length? I'm hoping that the clamp on the sender side is loose and the cause. That would seem to be the easiest fix.

 

I got some time today and got it back on the jacks for a closer look. The hose was cracked pretty good.



A closer look

 

well theres your problem.

and yes just get some 3/8" rubber fuel line from a local parts house and cut it to length.

 

Thanks. I am going to check around the forum and see if its safe to change that piece without spilling gas everywhere. Seems like it should be rather straight forward.

 

You will shouldnt get any gas spillage because the sending unit comes out of the top of the tank. Remove the fill cap to make sure it is vented, (should be a vented cap) and replace the rubber hose.

 

Any gas that comes out will be what's in the line, and you'll probably also get some running back from the front.
And measure the steel fuel supply tubing before taking things apart. Depending on engine application, your car has either a 5/16" or 3/8" tube and hose.

 

I had a few vacuum caps laying around, so I stuck one on the ends when I popped the old hose off. Had to move quick, because I had a pretty good flow from the tank side, probably due to being jacked up. Other than that, the job was mighty easy. Thanks folks.