Help! fuel leaking out on right rear side of car

[neals1977vette]

i got a 77 corvette and every time i go to get gas i notice fuel leaking on to the right rear muffler and strong presence of fuel odor after i fill up and park the car for the night . i ve checked the gas tank and it was replaced at one time before i purchased the car i ve already put a new fuel pump on it . anybody have had this problem before .
thanks
neal

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

There's two fuel lines that attach to the fuel tank on the right hand side, IIRC. Best get it fixed, fires are not funny.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Check all fuel hoses, including the vapor return line which may connect on the upper part of the tank.

Check the fuel sender gasket.

Check the tank itself for leaks.

 

[neals1977vette]

is there anyway i can get access to that stuff with out dropping the fuel tank

 

[Peer81]

With some luck you can disconnect the fuel lines from the top (remove the rubber insert around the fuel opening). I wouldn't think to light about this one, fuel leaking next to your rear muffler? The second the polyester body is on fire I don't know if you're fast enough to stop it. I would for sure drop the tank, gives you clear excess to the problem area!

Greetings Peter

 

[GTR1999]

77 will have the sending unit and hose on the top of the tank where as the 74 and older had then on the bottom and made it much easier to get to. On top of that there is a steel enclosure around the tank. What may work is to remove the gas door and boot and see if you can get a light in there to see if you can pin point the leak. Most likely you will have to remove the tank. If it's not a hose then it could be the tank has a hole in it. Good luck,it's not a fun job to do.

 

[neals1977vette]

okay will try that

 

[neals1977vette]

tried that gonna have to drop the tank how hard is it to drop and do i need a secondhand to help me

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Dropping the gas tank is a one person job as long as the tank is empty. Removing the mufflers makes it a much easier job. Just remove the spare tire carrier and loosen the straps around the tank and it comes right out.

 

[neals1977vette]

ok is there any wires on top to disconnect for when i drop it

 

[Crimson Thunder]

Just the wires for the gas gauge.

 

[neals1977vette]

okay

 

[White75]

It's not that hard. Drop the spare tire assembly and drop the tank a few inches (use a floor jack to help. I was able to replace all my lines by reaching through the gas filler area, beside the muffler and through the tail light openings which help to see what I'm looking at.

 

[herminator]

Not familiar with the differences between my '73 and a '77 but dropping it was easier than replacing. I have a cherry picker so fab'd a "t-handle" to go inside the filler hole and used the CP to hold the tank up while replacinig the cross member and straps, otherwise would have been a 2 person job. Also, if you have a charcoal vent system, be careful about breaking the attachment at the tank when removing. I broke mine so eliminated it and vented the cap. Best to take one or both mufflers off to make getting it out easier. Since you have the tank out, inspect it for rust in and out and repaint, etc. as needed.