Venture gasoline leak

[mikegprice]

The high-pressure fuel line in my 1999 Chevy Venture has corroded resulting in a very serious gasoline leak under the center of the vehicle. I consider this to be extremely hazardous. Has anyone else encountered a similar situation?

[AJT1961]

I've never heard of it failing as a result of corrosion. It usually fails when you bottom out the car and break the little plastic brackets that hold the fuel lines in place. Then the fuel line is free to rub against the underbody crossmembers (it makes an occasional "bump" noise when this is happening). After a whole lot of miles, it eventually wears through the line and you get a leak.

[mikegprice]

Hi, Thanks for the reply. In this case, the gas line is still firmly in place, and there was no sign of abrasion, only corrosion. My mileage is 80K.

Originally Posted by AJT1961

I've never heard of it failing as a result of corrosion. It usually fails when you bottom out the car and break the little plastic brackets that hold the fuel lines in place. Then the fuel line is free to rub against the underbody crossmembers (it makes an occasional "bump" noise when this is happening). After a whole lot of miles, it eventually wears through the line and you get a leak.

[broughy84]

Mine was also leaking. I had it fixed at the dealer and it cost $81.41. I think they should, but if they wont recall the intake gaskets, why would they recall the fuel line?

[mikegprice]

Hi, Thanks for replying. My local dealership here in Michigan estimated $600. including labor to replace the fuel line.

Originally Posted by broughy84

Mine was also leaking. I had it fixed at the dealer and it cost $81.41. I think they should, but if they wont recall the intake gaskets, why would they recall the fuel line?

[GMMerlin]

Originally Posted by mikegprice

Hi, Thanks for replying. My local dealership here in Michigan estimated $600. including labor to replace the fuel line.

Since the fuel lines are exposed to salt and other corrosive elements, it is possible for them to rust.
I have replaced the metal fuel lines on one of these vans and it is not a fun job.
They run through a pocket in the body and it is necessary to remove the steering gear and lower the back half of the engine cradle down to get them in and out.
600 to replace..go for it,because the next one I get, I will charge a lot more...not worth the aggrevation

[mikegprice]

Hi, The info is much appreciated, thanks, and I know it is correct. My main gripe is that GM should've prevented the fuel line from being allowed to rust through (especially in a vehicle only 5 years old), since it could potentially cause a fire or explosion, with possibly even fatal consequences. I really feel they have some liability on this, don't you agree?

Originally Posted by GMMerlin

Since the fuel lines are exposed to salt and other corrosive elements, it is possible for them to rust.
I have replaced the metal fuel lines on one of these vans and it is not a fun job.
They run through a pocket in the body and it is necessary to remove the steering gear and lower the back half of the engine cradle down to get them in and out.
600 to replace..go for it,because the next one I get, I will charge a lot more...not worth the aggrevation :banghead:

[AJT1961]

The fact that 2 others have also had this problem really surprises me. If the line failed as a result of corrosion, GM should pay for it as that is clearly a defect, should not happen and is very dangerous. I'd save the old line (as proof) and report it to the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board). They have a website where you can make the report, and also a searchable database to see if others have had this problem. I'll be inspecting my fuel lines this weekend. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[mikegprice]

Hi! Thanks for the good advice, I'll do exactly as you said. An important question is how many other similar vehicles have had this happen, and had owners who've reported it? One of my motives in posting this problem on AutomotiveForums.com was to try finding out, it's a valuable website.
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Originally Posted by AJT1961

The fact that 2 others have also had this problem really surprises me. If the line failed as a result of corrosion, GM should pay for it as that is clearly a defect, should not happen and is very dangerous. I'd save the old line (as proof) and report it to the NSTB (National Safety Transportation Board). They have a website where you can make the report, and also a searchable database to see if others have had this problem. I'll be inspecting my fuel lines this weekend. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[GMMerlin]

Originally Posted by mikegprice

Hi, The info is much appreciated, thanks, and I know it is correct. My main gripe is that GM should've prevented the fuel line from being allowed to rust through (especially in a vehicle only 5 years old), since it could potentially cause a fire or explosion, with possibly even fatal consequences. I really feel they have some liability on this, don't you agree?

I guess the fact that you live in Michigan has nothing to do with it?
There was a coating on the lines, but the chemicals used to de-ice the roads ate it off.
GM does its best to provide a reasonable level of corrosion protection to it's vehicles. You live in an extreme climate that uses extreme chemicals.
When I lived up north, we would recommend having the vehicle undercoated when it was new, this brought some added protection against corrosion.
Down here in the sunny south the only vehicles we see with rust or corrosion problems come from up where you live......

[mikegprice]

Hi, Thanks for another reply. Yes, you're correct that too much salt is used on roads in Michigan, however I drive sparingly in winter, and try to wash off any salt deposits on the occasional warm winter day. There is no sign of rust anywhere on the exterior of my vehicle. Would it be okay for all the Chevy Ventures in northern states to have their gas lines corrode through after five years? If so, how many fires, explosions, injuries, and deaths would be okay before something is done about it? Or it is possible that mine was individually defective? Where is that part actually produced, who actually made those? And what about the brake fluid line, will that also be expected to rust through? Thanks again for your expert opinion, and for taking the time to comment, Mike

Originally Posted by GMMerlin

I guess the fact that you live in Michigan has nothing to do with it?
There was a coating on the lines, but the chemicals used to de-ice the roads ate it off.
GM does its best to provide a reasonable level of corrosion protection to it's vehicles. You live in an extreme climate that uses extreme chemicals.
When I lived up north, we would recommend having the vehicle undercoated when it was new, this brought some added protection against corrosion.
Down here in the sunny south the only vehicles we see with rust or corrosion problems come from up where you live......

[AJT1961]

It doesn't matter if someone drives on wet salted roads every day -- a gas line should not fail due to corrosion after 5 years -- or even 10 years for that matter. I suspect GM received a bad batch of lines which probably went into a few thousand cars.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by AJT1961

It doesn't matter if someone drives on wet salted roads every day -- a gas line should not fail due to corrosion after 5 years -- or even 10 years for that matter. I suspect GM received a bad batch of lines which probably went into a few thousand cars.

I live in Upstate New York where salt usage on the roads in winter is notoriously heavy. I just replaced the fuel tank, fuel lines, and brake lines on my 1994 Chevrolet 1/2 ton pickup last year at 89.000 miles. This year's project was replacing the fuel tank, fuel lines, and you guessed it, brake lines on my 1990 Buick LeSabre with 42,000 miles. Needless to say, If GM did receive a "bad batch" of lines, it was over a span of many years. I believe it is a combination of road salt AND poor vehicle design. Especially on the Buick where all the lines run together and when 1 gets wet and starts to corrode, they all seem to follow suit. Plus, there are area under the frame that seem to collect and hold moisture. And after reading the above posts, I do not look forward to the day when I have to replace the lines on my 1997 Venture.

[AJT1961]

I don't doubt you, but I've lived in PA all my life and we use quite a bit of rock salt also. I've never seen a corroded fuel or brake line though, and have never even heard of one before this. I guess they should use aluminum or stainless steel then.

[mikegprice]

Hi, I've reported the flawed fuel line to the NTSB, and am waiting to hear back from them, and of course saved the corroded part in case it's needed as evidence. The brake fluid lines on my Venture seem to be okay except for one small area near the rear of the vehicle, which I'll touch up with rustoleum products.

Originally Posted by AJT1961

I don't doubt you, but I've lived in PA all my life and we use quite a bit of rock salt also. I've never seen a corroded fuel or brake line though, and have never even heard of one before this. I guess they should use aluminum or stainless steel then.