Used Cars 101: 89' Crown Victoria

[Captain O.G. Readm]

Greetings all...

I recently purchased a used 89' Crown Vic. I scraped the last of what I had to purchase it. I believe its been sitting awhile. I was hoping to get a full tune up on it and gradually purchase the necessary repairs. Ok, I end up having a brake line problem only to find out I have a small leak in my gas tank too. The brake line is fine now, but I dont have the money yet to fix the gas tank leak. I have not had a tune up yet either. Every place I've taken the car to says I'm not in that bad of shape as far as tune up was concerned, but I wanted to ask you guys in the know a few questions....

- Is it safe in any way to drive my car untill i can get this leak fixed?

- When slightly pressing accelerator, the car seems to choke like its going to cut off. Any ideas as to why and is that a BIG problem?

- Whenever I put this car on the freeway it seems to be working extra hard to reach speeds like 50mph +. Almost like straining. Whats the deal?

- My gear selector does not line up with the corresponding gear letter accurately, where can I get this type of thing repaired?

I appreciate any help....as soon as I get some extra dough, I'll be running to pick up that Chiltons' Crown Victoria manual...take care gang.

[amo4387622]

As for the gas peddal I would check the TPS voltage. As for the freeway sounds like not getting the right amount of gas it needs but I would replace the fuel filter that might help, because i had the same problem and it helped me.

[drwolfenstein]

the fuel depends on where the leak is, and how bad it is. more info is needed.

[KimMG]

Try your local library for a repair manual. Check with an autoparts store or a hardware store, they may have something to repair the gas tank with.

[Captain O.G. Readm]

Thanx a bunch for the help gang. I purchased a Haynes manual for my Crown Vic....I was trying to find the Chiltons' one, but I had to take what I could find for now.

Hopefully now I can learn more and understand my machine, so that we can become one in total zen. If not I'll be back crying the blues. Thanx again, guys.

[Captain O.G. Readm]

Egads! I AM back crying the blues!!!!!!

Gas is ridiculously high here in Detroit[like 2.50-3.00 a gal], hey maybe its all around, but I go to get some gas and after i'm riding a while i'm like my meter should not have dropped low that fast. I stop and open the door at a stop sign and there is a trail of gas behind me .

Now I have never seen this trail or the car leak this much ever. It comes out when i'm at a drifting speed 5-15mph. When I stop, it leaks steady for maybe a half a min and then slows to a hault[this i see after getting out of the car for good].

Geez, man I cant believe I have to pay for something else soooooo soon!!! Any ideas how much this may cost me roughfly? Is there a quick fix I can do in the meantime? The leak appears to be maybe about 2inches away from where the tank connects to the part you would put the gas nozzle in[if looking from underneath]. HELP!

[rhandwor]

A cheap fix is to buy some faucet washers and use a metal screw in the center and snug it up. Only a temporary fix.This is safer than dripping gas as you drive. A very dangerous condition.Check with some radiator shops they will clean and solder the leaks and use a liquid glass liner which sets up. I think after rereading is the following.
All you are looking at is a hose available from the dealer. Don't use a piece of radiator hose it will soon get stiff from experience. You have to loosen the straps on the tank when about empty and lower the tank until you can put your hand up and install new hose. Use a stanley knife to slit the hose then remove it. Then clean before installing a new hose.Maybe all it needs is a new hose clamp.
I would put it on jackstands and try clamps first unless the hose has a hole in it.