Possible fuel leak Buick LeSabre 1998

[MyBuick1998]

Hello to everyone, just joined and hope to learn a few things.
I recenctly purchased a Buick LeSabre 1998.
There was a sale on gas so I pumped as much as I could into my tank.
Usually the pump stops at a certain point, in this case it did not and actually spilled a bit out.
I stopped pumping immediately and screwed on my gas cap.
When I got home, I noticed a puddle of fuel directly under the gas cap on left rear side of car.
I drove around for a few days and the issue went away.
Two days later, directly underneath the middle of the right rear passenger door, there was a leak. It drips out very slowly.
Definately smells like fuel, hard to tell what colour it is.

Could I have blown a hole in the fuel line, an Oring, the gas tank itself.
Very difficult to see, it is just behind the rocker panel (which of course is rusted)

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
MyBuick1998

 

[gnhbodyguy]

The fill up and noticing the leak may just be coincidence.

You describe the area that the fuel line runs through.

You need to look under there and see the leak.

It could be that you need a new fuel line and/or fuel filter.

I would not park it in a garage or near any buildings until you take care of the problem.

 

[MyBuick1998]

The fill up and noticing the leak may just be coincidence.

You describe the area that the fuel line runs through.

You need to look under there and see the leak.

It could be that you need a new fuel line and/or fuel filter.

I would not park it in a garage or near any buildings until you take care of the problem.

HI gnhbodyguy,

apreciate your reply, I read on a blog somewhere that the fuel pump is attached at the very point, middle of rear passenger door.

I just just got burned for a new starter, $550.00. Carline installed it. They used to be great.
Leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
I got a napkin underneath the leak, Clear ...definately fuel.
Have Arthritis, used to do all my own work.

Could be something simple as a connection, God forbid the fuel pump, but you did mention the fuel filter...last GM I ownned the fuel filter was under the hood.

It is frustrating to source out the leak, otherwise it is a great car, made it through one of the worst winters in Canadian history without issue, just don't want to throw good money after bad.

Thanks again,
MyBuick1998

 

[Spriteman]

Hello MB98 - I'm not sure why you're seeing fuel on the right side of the car unless it's back toward the rear door/trunk area. The fuel supply & return lines run along the underneath side of the car along the left driver side frame rail and up into the engine bay.

Check out this diagram which shows the fuel line routing. The bottom left is the engine side and the top right is the tank side.

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=368791&ukey_make=1022&ukey_model=14443&modelYear=1998&ukey_category=19400&ukey_trimLevel=14629


This diagram shows the tank assembly - your tank is mounted under the trunk and has an access port in the bottom of the trunk to replace the fuel pump.

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=383705&ukey_make=1022&ukey_model=14443&modelYear=1998&ukey_category=19400&ukey_trimLevel=14629


BTW - do you have a Custom or Limited Lesabre? I don't think it matters for this application but it may on future issues that you may have.

 

[gnhbodyguy]

Very strange. The fuel line and filter ran along the passenger side of my 1998 Olds 88. I would have thought the LeSabre and Olds 88 were identical as far as that goes.

 

[HotZ28]

IIRC, the first year of the fuel pump access in the trunk, was 2000. The fuel filter should be mounted underneath the passenger side by rear door. Of course, the pump is in the tank, so that is not the source of the leak. There is also a fill tube vent pipe running along the side of the fill pipe, that is subject to rust leaks.

 

[MyBuick1998]

Hi there HotZ28,
that makes perfect sense, now the puzzle is starting to come together. I was feeling around that very spot under the rear side of the middle of the back passenger door. I barely touched it, flakes of rust fell off along with some fuel.

Love to get it on a hoist and see it for myself.... side note, why on earth would they place the fuel pump "Inside the gas tank"
I remember replacing the fuel pump on an older car, just drive up the ramps, block the wheels, clamp down the fuel lines and replace the pump. Took about 1/2 an hour

cheers,
MyBuick1998

 

[MyBuick1998]

Very strange. The fuel line and filter ran along the passenger side of my 1998 Olds 88. I would have thought the LeSabre and Olds 88 were identical as far as that goes.

In a previous post, I said "fuel pump"
I meant to say Fuel "filter"

Thanks for catching that!
MyBuick1998

 

[gnhbodyguy]

It looks like the fuel line starts on the passenger side, then it crosses over to the driver's side.

 

[imidazol97]

I had a 1998 leSabre until a few months ago. The fuel lines all run to the passenger side. The filter is below the drivers door. An o-ring is a possible leak source if the fuel filter was replaced and didn't seal correctly.

However, I had a problem with fuel dripping there because of the metal fuel line under pressure from the tank having corroded due to the brine they put on the streets in advance of a snow event here. The line was seeping in various places through pinholes. The reputable garage checked to see if one of the adaptable repair kits that uses rubber to replace some of the metal line would work. But no.

Had to replace the fuel pump by dropping the whole tank and putting in new fuel pump with the line attached.

 

[MyBuick1998]

I had a 1998 leSabre until a few months ago. The fuel lines all run to the passenger side. The filter is below the drivers door. An o-ring is a possible leak source if the fuel filter was replaced and didn't seal correctly.

However, I had a problem with fuel dripping there because of the metal fuel line under pressure from the tank having corroded due to the brine they put on the streets in advance of a snow event here. The line was seeping in various places through pinholes. The reputable garage checked to see if one of the adaptable repair kits that uses rubber to replace some of the metal line would work. But no.

Had to replace the fuel pump by dropping the whole tank and putting in new fuel pump with the line attached.

Nice to meet you imidazol97
After much research and gettin down and dirty....One thing I did find out. The Brake light came on solild and began non stop that chimming noise, some akin to a method of torture..
After many observations. I did notice the brake fluid rerevoir was very very low. Purchased a quart of Dot 3 Brake fluid and filled it to the solid exterior extruded Line that encircles the entire resevoir. I filled it to that point. Next day ..same solid brake light and mushy pedal.

So filled it up to the (hard to notice 1/2 inch line much higher up in the resevoir, perhaps 3/4 of an inch from the top, like a knucke from the top. So difficult to see with all the sunlight etc.

Made it home, a mile away, checked the resevoir had put down a Napkin underneath the rear passenger passenger door. drp, drip etc, had enough for the day, fustration and the heat of the day got the better of me.

The Amber Dot3 brake fluid resembles fuel, so hard to tell. But I know now that I have a brake fluid leak for sure. Not sure about the fuel leak. Trying to maintain a professional approach to trouble shooting. So after Church tomorrow, I will have another look at thre brake fluid resevoir etc and try the isolate the issue.
The main leak is still under the rear passenger side door.
I do believe it is the brake fluid and also a fuel line leak, as on the 1998 LeSabre, this is where the fuel line engages with the fuel filter.

Wish I could afford a mechanic and just get the peace of mind. But being burned for $650 just a for a starter motor relacement, aaarrrgghhh!!!
I used to be able to replace a starter motor for way under 100 bucks and an easy fix. Now I am just very pis*sed off that I got burned and So determined to fix it myself or identify the issue hire some backyard dude etc.

Going cross eyed, need a sevice manual. Wonder why they are so hard to find online. Don't people have work ethics anymore?
Just venting... need to re-avaluate the priorities here.

Thanks to the forum, great bunch..we will see
MyBuick1998