Gas tank fill tube leak

[DavidLang]

2K Metro has a hole in the gasoline tank fill tube, between the gas cap and tank. It doesn't leak only when putting gas in. Is this hard to change or patch? Anyone have this before?

I just found a replacement fuel filler neck. Is this hard to change. Can you change it with gas in the tank if you're careful?

Thanks for any and all advise.

[Rooy]

Very common problem on all Metros, especially where road salt is used. Patching it might work if it's not too far gone. You'll have to take it off and see. It has a plastic coating, that once breached, traps moisture and allows rust to thrive, so it can be worse than it looks at first.

fillnernecksupply.com has new ones, but their webstore appears to be down. They're about $90 though.

You could go junkyard hunting and hope you find a rust-free one.

Or you could make one: http://geometroforum.com/topic/3546230

They're not too hard to change. You should be able to change it with gas in the tank, depending on how much there is. How full is it? Having the rear jacked up will help. I'm thinking 3/4 tank or less would be ideal.

[DavidLang]

Thanks Rooy! I just bought a used replacement on Ebay after reading your post. Great help!

I'm hoping it is pretty obvious what I need to do in changing it. Looks like some 50 degree weather heading this way which will help.

Thanks again.

[Rooy]

It's pretty straightforward. 3 or 4 bolts inside the gas tank door. They might be stuck/rusty so use some penetrating oil so you don't snap them off. There's also one hanger bolt on the bottom holding the end of the tube.

[DavidLang]

A guy at my oil change place replaced the bad tube with the one I found on Ebay. The leaking one was far worse than I thought. He only charged about $60.

I don't know what to do when our Metros finally give out. There's nothing out there to replace them with as far as I can see. I'd sure like to see the XFI re-issued.

D.