18 replies to this topic

[jross]

Alright... does this sound legit to anyone else? My car drips fuel when you fill the tank, but I've never noticed it at any other time (and believe me, I've been checking). There is some fuel around where the fuel filler neck hooks into the tank (but only when refueling!, the rest of the time, it's dry). I took it into a shop to get this looked at, and they're claiming they need to drop the fuel tank and replace a cracked fuel return line. Cheap part, expensive labor (they're asking $300 just to drop the tank, so 4 hours shop time? Does that sound right?)

Anyways.. if it IS a cracked return line, shouldn't there be fuel there after I drive around? I drove ~200 miles last night, from SLO to LA, and when I got to LA, I checked the connection area, it was dry. I've left the car idling for 10 minutes, and didn't spot any fuel leak anywhere.

Any suggestions on what to check? Depending on how it goes, I'll take pics when i get the car back...

(sorry for the repost, accidentally put this up in performance >_>)

[MrWinkey]

Can't be a return line or it would be leaking every time the fuel pump is energized. I would look much closer at your filler neck lines. Besides you can see the return line through the fuel pump access in the trunk.

[prasamin]

I just messaged you man...and then i saw this post...yeah, the filler neck...that's what I meant....thats where mine is leaking also...gets wet, and when it's hot outside and I'm driving a bit hard with the tank full, it definitely leaks even more!....someone may be able to tell you what's up with it...but it's probably a fault in the neck thingy...after fillup, and some driving (a couple of miles), i would park the car about 15 minutes, and sometimes I would notice a whole splurge of fuel on the road where I parked!....you have the same problem! don't think it should be a $300 job though

[jross]

It's $300 to remove and re-install the fuel tank.  The hose is about $35.

Had it done last year - been there, done that.

Did it fix the problem? I guess maybe it is the solution, but I'll be damned if it sounds like it...

[WhiteT5]

Volvo issued a recall for leaky fuel tanks on the 850's a couple months back. They replaced mine at the dealer for free. You may be able to get it done that way.

[jross]

Volvo issued a recall for leaky fuel tanks on the 850's a couple months back.  They replaced mine at the dealer for free.  You may be able to get it done that way.

I think that only applied to sedans...

[GregBowie]

Hey White850T5,

I too had the car at the dealer to look at the recall concerning some heat shield attachments to the tank. I told them I spmelled fuel but when I got the car back they said they saw no gas leaking so they did not change the tank, just the bushings or mounts or something.

Anyway, when you brought it to the dealer was your fuel problem the fact that when the tank was full and sitting for a while you smelled gas but nothing leaking out onto the ground? I think the recall spoke about "seeping" fuel. i.e. not enough to drip to the ground but enough to evaporate and make the garage smell terrible.

I ask because I think I am going to complain to the dealer and ask them to check with a full tank to make sure it's not a fuel leak related to the recall. Because if it is because of something covered in the recall I hope a new tank can be installed at Volvo's expense.

Thanks.

[WhiteT5]

Hey White850T5,

I too had the car at the dealer to look at the recall concerning some heat shield attachments to the tank.  I told them I spmelled fuel but when I got the car back they said they saw no gas leaking so they did not change the tank, just the bushings or mounts or something.

Anyway, when you brought it to the dealer was your fuel problem the fact that when the tank was full and sitting for a while you smelled gas but nothing leaking out onto the ground? I think the recall spoke about "seeping" fuel.  i.e. not enough to drip to the ground but enough to evaporate and make the garage smell terrible.

I ask because I think I am going to complain to the dealer and ask them to check with a full tank to make sure it's not a fuel leak related to the recall.  Because if it is because of something covered in the recall I hope a new tank can be installed at Volvo's expense.

Thanks.

I know most of the tech's at the dealer, so they "inspected" my fuel tank and found a "leak" and replaced it for me.

[96DTM850]

How long ago was this recall??? I smell a weird fuel smell from time to time but have not been able to locate it. So I should just go to the dealer and ask about the fuel tank recall or...???? Can you give me more info on this?
THANKS!

[MrWinkey]

It's a general 850 recall and it more or less effects cars in a warmer climate

[96DTM850]

It's a general 850 recall and it more or less effects cars in a warmer climate

OK, I will ask about it

[Bay13]

The hose that more than likely has a hole in it is replaced by lowering the fuel tank to get to the hose to replace it. This leaking HOSE has nothing to do with the fuel TANK recall that is in place for the 850.

[Bay13]

Can't be a return line or it would be leaking every time the fuel pump is energized.

Agreed, It's a line on top of the tank thats inter connected with the filler pipe, usually only leaks when you Fill up, cause the hose that On top of the tank has a hole/rip in it. The hose is clamped to metal lines, sometimes the rip is where the hose clamp attaches.

[billr99]

It's a general 850 recall and it more or less effects cars in a warmer climate

Amazingly, considering where I live and nobody would ever describe it as a "warmer" climate, I got my notice for this recall from Volvo Canada just the other day. Not sure I'm going to worry about it, but I will take a closer look once the weather gets above 0C.

[mbmusgrove]

Is what you're talking about the same thing as an "evaporator fuel hose?"
My check engine light came on, took to the dealer, and they told me this was the problem. They'd have to drop the tank and put on a new $17.95 hose plus 3 hours of labor for a grand total of $273.85.

I don't know what the evaporator fuel hose is exactly. And 3 hours seems like a LONG time to take the tank off, replace a hose, and replace the tank. Even in my garage with my basic tools, I think I could do it faster than that.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Sorry- forgot to log in.
Before I get jumped on, I have a '96 855.

[MrWinkey]

It's a general 850 recall and it more or less effects cars in a warmer climate

Amazingly, considering where I live and nobody would ever describe it as a "warmer" climate, I got my notice for this recall from Volvo Canada just the other day. Not sure I'm going to worry about it, but I will take a closer look once the weather gets above 0C.

Why not?...It's a free recall? The reason I stated warmer climate was because it seems to be more dominate in warmer climates an expansion issue (with the tank)