1992 Caravan Recall Gas Tank

This used van that I bought last week, has given me a few suprises this week. In my other thread it was the whining transmission. It's actually a 1992 Grand Voyager, but it won't let me edit the title of this thread.

But, the good news is I only paid $400.00 and it only (only LOL) had 139,000 miles.

So far all I've done is had a front end alignment done for $35.00 and threw on a couple of tires.

But now I noticed that my gas guage was slowly going down at night while parked.

I looked and it appears to be leaking at the half way point right where the passenger side strap rubs on the fold of the two halves of the gas tank.

I read somewhere where there was a recall on this. The recall said that it could cause the strap to break and rupture the fuel lines, so they would bend it down farther and restrap it.

My question is, would they now replace the fuel tank, as it appears that it is leaking right where the strap was rubbing on the tank, because the tank wasn't folded right in the first place?

What do you think?

What are my odds?

I'm thinking I will talk to the dealer, but first wanted to know if anybody else had any experience with this.

"What are my odds?"

Pretty slim to none that they'll do anything now....

I did have an '90 Grand Voyager with this problem and "recall" (actually it's a TSB, not a "recall" but it's pretty much the same thing...) and they did fix it then for free, but that was before it was leaking, and they just installed thicker pads under the strap, or changed the strap maybe, I don't remember exactly which or maybe it was both, but the tank wasn't leaking then.

Your Tank can probably be fixed, and pad the strap, and you'll be ok.

Wish I had better news.

Tom

I figured it was worth a shot, for all the misery they have put me through over the years. LOL

I'll let you know what happens.

I figured it was worth a shot, for all the misery they have put me through over the years. LOL

I'll let you know what happens.


Make: CHRYSLER
Model: TOWN AND COUNTRY
Type: ANY
Year: 1992
Recall Number: 92V147000
Summary:
FUEL TANK FLANGES WERE NOT BENT AS REQUIRED TO ALLOW THE SPECIFIED CLEARANCE FOR THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAPS AND FUEL LINES AT THE TANK.
Consequence:
THE UNBENT FLANGES TO THE FUEL TANK WILL DAMAGE THEMOUNTING STRAPS AND/OR FUEL LINES. THE DAMAGED MOUNTING STRAPS MAY BREAK CAUSINGTHE TANK TO DROP AND THE DAMAGED FUEL LINE WILL LEAK FUEL. IN EITHER CASE A FIRECOULD RESULT IF THE SPILLED FUEL IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy:
REPAIR THE FLANGE BY BENDING TO THE CORRECT ANGLE; REPLACE DAMAGED FUEL LINES AND MOUNTING STRAPS.
Notes:
SYSTEM: FUEL TANK.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VANS.

That's what I had read before, and prompted me to ask my question on here.

However, It appears after closer inspection, that it is not my tank leaking, but the fuel line.

When I looked under the fan the other day, I seen where it appeared the wet spot started at the middle or seam of the tank and had seeped all over the bottom of the tank.

But today I crawled under and seen the wet spot on the back of a line, and it looks like the gas was coming from the line, as the wet spot going up the tank did not go all the way up to the seam. The line looks like it is shooting a micro stream right behind the strap.

My Mom's caravan did the exact same thing. The 2 foot rubber hose that goes to the tank to the metal line leaked also. I kept repairing it, but it would then spring another leak about a inch away from my repair, so I had to keep repairing it for her. The last time I fixed it for her, I told her if it sprung another leak, I would have to pull the tank, and replace the whole line, as I couldn't get to the line anymore, as it was rounding the top of the tank.

Well as luck would have it, the van lasted another year or two, before the engine blew up, and she never had to worry about the fuel line anymore.

That Caravan had the 4 speed transmission with about 200,000 miles on it and worked great. Go figure. LOL

What is up with these lines? What did they make them out of?

Seems odd that I know of two of these that do this type of stuff?

This seems unrelated to the strap scenario, as these hoses do not come in contact with anything, until it goes over the top of the tank, and that is not where it leaks.

I wonder if I should still contact the dealer, just for giggles and see what they say? I say because the strap wasn't right, it caused the leak in my line. LOL If anything, maybe I can get them to pull my tank and replace my fuel line. Because if this did what my mom's did, the line is weak and will start springing leaks elsewhere.

The only way to replace that 2 foot line all the way, is to pull the tank. Maybe if I took it to the dealer to at least fix the strap issue, then when I have to pull it to replace the line it will be easier with freshly removed bolts. LOL

I'll keep you updated.

This used van that I bought last week, has given me a few suprises this week. In my other thread it was the whining transmission. It's actually a 1992 Grand Voyager, but it won't let me edit the title of this thread.

But, the good news is I only paid $400.00 and it only (only LOL) had 139,000 miles.

So far all I've done is had a front end alignment done for $35.00 and threw on a couple of tires.

But now I noticed that my gas guage was slowly going down at night while parked.

I looked and it appears to be leaking at the half way point right where the passenger side strap rubs on the fold of the two halves of the gas tank.

I read somewhere where there was a recall on this. The recall said that it could cause the strap to break and rupture the fuel lines, so they would bend it down farther and restrap it.

My question is, would they now replace the fuel tank, as it appears that it is leaking right where the strap was rubbing on the tank, because the tank wasn't folded right in the first place?

What do you think?

What are my odds?

I'm thinking I will talk to the dealer, but first wanted to know if anybody else had any experience with this.

Have your dealer run your vin no for recalls.
Or you can call 1 800 424-9393 and also you can call the 1 800 customer service no in owners manual.
On the recall I found it was only for 3000 vans with built date apr. 92
campaign no. 92V147000
Straps causing fuel line leak.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Mine (1990) was for the straps rubbing the tank, not the seam leak.
But they did "replace both tank straps and installed Strap insulators", according to the service invoice.
The repair was done in August 1992, close to the same time they came out with the "recall", which was a TSB before....

Nonetheless, my tank wasn't leaking, and it wasn't on the top for sure!

Things to look at for the leaking:

Inlet leaking
ASD sensor hole leaking, or vent leaking.
Fuel pump retainer collar loose or leaking.
Hole in tank
Leaking fuel filter
cracked or broken fuel return or pressure line fitting (they do get brittle over the years..)

Maybe it's as simple as the fuel pump retainer is not secure....

Tom