Fuel tank "caving in"

[bedwards97]

My local service technician just told me the fuel tank on my truck has 'caved in' about three inches from the bottom; which is probably why the fuel gauge isn't reading correctly. He described it as if someone took a high power vacuum and sucked the air out of the tank.

 

He said it's about 1/2" thick plastic, so he doesn't yet understand what would cause that to happen.

 

Any ideas?

 

btw...he hasn't pulled the tank off yet to diagnose the problem. He just reported to me what he's found so far. I presume he'll give me the full scoop, but I just wanted to see if anyone else has seen this before.

[GMINSIDE]

the tank caving in is usally the breather vent being clogged and not being able to suck in enough air to displace the fueal that is leaving the tank . when you remove the gas cap it should re expand .

[Tucson_02Silverado]

vapor return clogged. The fuel pump displacing the fuel out of the tank is creating a vaccuum effect.

 

Besides bad gauge reading, you should have been getting bad mileage and a computer code if newer than 96

[bedwards97]

yeah but that tank is about 1/2" thick....would it really create that much vacuum force to cave it in like that?

 

you guys might be right....just seems weird that it would be clogged enough to completely shut off the vent.

[asilverblazer]

Maybe you hit something, it wouldn't nessacarily be loud with it being plastic and all, piece of tire or wood being flung up.

[ken1mod]

Maybe you hit something, it wouldn't nessacarily be loud with it being plastic and all, piece of tire or wood being flung up.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Check/replace fuel tank cap.

 

Ken