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Problem with Nissan 1985 Sentra 2 Door

gas leak

i got a 1984 nissan sentra and the gas leaks a ton but only when you start it. the moment i shut it off it stops leaking. any ideas on how to fix that?

Posted by avatar on Dec 26, 2008

    • By avatarkeith797 Dec 26, 2008

    • thanks a ton for helping here. i inherited this car from my grandma who doesnt drive anymore. its in great shape but the fuel just poors out when its running. i actually just looked it up. its a 1988 but it is a carburetor.

    • By avatarkeith797 Dec 26, 2008

    • leak is coming from above gas tank. it mostly comes out of driver side, but it feels like its just leaking out the top somewhere then the path of least resistance leads it to the drivers side. maybe.

      are there any connections up there.

      it only leaks when car is running.

    • By avatarkeith797 Dec 26, 2008

    • mechanical fuel pump or electric. i got no idea. dont even know how to find out.sorry.

      but there are connections up there yes? so i got to pull the tank off?

      is there just bolts around the tank holding it up? or anything special there. ?

    • By avatarkeith797 Dec 26, 2008

    • nice. no leak with key on. only leaking when start it up.

      that is good.

      so do i need to just pull this tank off and take a look?

      what do you suggest. how many connections are up there.?

    • By avatarkeith797 Dec 27, 2008

    • o.k. here we go. i pulled out the back seat. and there is a hatch to the gas tank. so great. thanks a ton.

      now here is my problem. now when i turn the key just to the on position. i do get a bit of a leak and a litte motor running. so it is electrical pump.

      now here is the problem. i dont see where the leak is coming from. but i can access the start of the fuel lines. so can i just replace the lines from the start of the tank here until i can get to them under the car and then splice them in again? will this work? or is there some problem with pressure and all that in the lines?

    • By avatarkeith797 Dec 28, 2008

    • this is unbelievable. i dont know who you are but i am so thankful for your help here. i will do all this tomorrow as i am out of time today.

      i will let you know what happens.

      i am so grateful for all your help.

      thanks a ton.

    • By avatarkeith797 Jan 05, 2009

    • i got it fixed. i dont know if you are out there. but this worked great. replaced both the lines from the tank cuz i couldnt tell which one was leaking and it works like a champ. i am so thankful for your help.

      i so much appreciate it. what a blessing.

      thanks a ton.

    • By avatarMike Butler May 11, 2010

    • Can you locate the area that the leak is coming from? 84' leads me to ask, carbureted or fuel injection?


    • By avatarMike Butler May 11, 2010

    • leak coming from engine area, under car, where? Can you seee anything where its coming from?

    • By avatarMike Butler May 11, 2010

    • Oh boy now here comes the next question. Does it have a mechanical fuel pump or electric, Do you know for sure, or haven't got that far yet.

Solutions (1)

Best Solution

Oh yah, there will be connections up there regardless of electric or mechanical pump.

    • By avatarMike Butler Dec 26, 2008

    • Yup, usually 2 straps around tank, or bolts into outer lip. have something to hold it when working on it & getting close to lowering it. You may only have to lower it to find problem. Also, if fuel pours out with key just in the on position, not start, then it will be electrical, and you'll probably hear a little hum from tank or close to. If mechanical (you should hope for mechanical), it won't pour out until engine is running.

    • By avatarMike Butler Dec 26, 2008

    • Pull back seat out first & see if there is an access spot to top of tank there by chance, if not, I'd lower it a little at a time, just enough to get to what I need to get to. You should have 3 lines, one for fuel to pump, one return & 1 for vapours. My guess is it's your return line, which just sends excess fuel back to tank. New piece of hose & a gear clamp may be all you need, here's to hoping. Just double check that you have a mechanical pump by looking at the lower part of your engine, for lines running up to your carburetor from it. Or follow your fuel line down to it. Here's a link for you to help.

      http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c152801ce5e8


    • By avatarMike Butler Dec 27, 2008

    • I'm guessing that because of the year, and vehicle that the electric fuel pump is running at a fairly lower pressure than some of today's fuel injected systems. Instead of 40-60 psi, I'm thinking probably 5-10 psi.max. So here's what I'd try. Take a good look at the lines for signs of stains indicating that fuel has evaporated in that spot, due to leak.Measure size of lines, 1/4", 5/16", or 3/8". Buy yourself enough of fuel line hose, to be able to replace suspected problem areas, and some hose/gear clamps to fit on them. You may even find that the only problem areas are the short rubber pieces that are already there, and just need to replace them.Be real careful, don't forget your playing with gasoline here, so eliminate any source of spark , even disconnect battery once you've isolated your leak(s) so that no sparks can happen at wiring connections.Keep windows/doors open & well ventilated while doing this o.k., and any other common sense that comes in to play here. Any pinholes in metal line, cut a few inches either side, or at least enough to ensure it won't leak again, soon in immediate area of repair. Out with the bad, in with the new, and cut the new fuel hose long enough to slide a good couple of inches over each end of good line, slide your clamps over hose & install hose(s) . When you think you've got it all done, (hook up wires first at tank, then reconnect battery) & ready to test, throw a rag or something over the hole you were working at, just in case, so fuel doesn't shoot into interior if still leaking. Start car, let it run for about 1 or 2 seconds & shut it off. Have a look for any damp spots & repair as necessary if there is, but disconnect battery before you do. When ready, start the car again & have a real good look for a few minutes to be sure no more leaks. Take your time, clean all lines in area where connecting as best you can for good seal & to keep debris out of fuel lines & system. Grab yourself a new filter too, and when you've got all lines fixed, change filter, and hopefully you'll be on your way. Keep me posted will ya? Good Luck, work safe!

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