Fuel Leak - Tank Removal

[Zilverado]

So, I've done some searching and there is some good info here on removing the fuel tanks - in case I need to do that - but I thought I would get some thoughts first...

First off - the truck in question has dual tanks - right and left of course.

Earlier this year, I developed a fairly significant fuel leak from the left tank - even with the truck parked - but it appeared to be coming from above. I did not have time to deal with it at the time, so I drained the tank and have been running on the right one ever since.

Now the right one is leaking, again even when parked - just dripping from the plastic "pan" underneath - not sure where exactly it's coming from - but again I suspect the top / hose connections.

Question:

Is there a "typical" place I should be starting my search? Is it just a "coincidence" that the right one started so soon after the left one, or could it be in the common lines somewhere.

I know I will likely need to do some digging to find out, but I thought I would ask the gang before going too much further...

Thanks in advance.

[Adams74Chevy]

It could be the tanks rusted where they are held in place by the straps my father's '87 K20 had that happen on his one tank.

[old Rusty C10]

both my tanks were rusted not at the hoses but on top of the tank advanced auto parts sells the tanks for under $100 each long tanks thats where i got mine... ill look later for pics and post em here

[old Rusty C10]

heres some from the left tank swap

[old Rusty C10]

and finally installed the dark spots show the leaks... this one wasnt as bad as the right side which had a major hole

[3r!c84]

is that a bigger tank?

[old Rusty C10]

I had 16 gallon tanks in the truck but i do alot of OTR stuff so i opted to put the larger tanks in... you just shift over the bracket to the next set of holes ( the rear bracket) and it all bolts up fine... I also had to do some adjusting to the filler thing by cutting them and then using a radiator hose for the new fill tube but it works well

[3r!c84]

cool what size is it?
where u get it from?

[old Rusty C10]

the ones i got were 20 gallon tanks. If you go to advanced auto parts online and print out the tanks ( and the straps) online then take that to the store they charged me $99 per tank and $24 for the straps plus state tax. The had them overnight for me on a holiday weekend.. its the best price i shopped these for a while

[79Silv4x4]

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

and then using a radiator hose for the new fill tube but it works well

Wondering how long that is gonna work for you??? I did something similar years ago when I swapped from a stepper to a fleetside and the hoses didn't last long.

[old Rusty C10]

I went and got the pre formed radiator hoses .. I went and measured the hose to make sure it would fit and used those kind of hoses instead of the bendable ones, and it seemed to be a pretty heavy hose.. eventually if those leak ill go to regular fuel line kind of hose so far its been almost two months and been ok

[asphaltburner]

Yo! When I rebuilt my fuel system I replaced my aux. tank (drivers') with a shiny one I found in the local junkyard complete with straps and mounts for $70. Washed and dryed both tanks and replaced all the vent and filler hoses with ones from LMC truck. Also put in brand new senders at the same time,...they come with solid floats now. Here's it all ready for installation:



Fuel is easily siphoned out of the tanks prior to removal, and I used stacked wood blocks to support the tanks while I removed and installed them.
Todd.