98 V70 Gas Leak

[Yana13]

Hi - I'm new to the forum. . . :) Two days ago I filled my gas tank up then parked my car overnight in my garage - the next morning the whole garage smelled like gas. I looked under the car - there was a pretty good sized puddle of what I am assuming was gas under the rear passenger side tire. It looked like the leak was starting from the front part of the tank - but it was hard to tell. I've checked it a few times since then, when my tank has not been full, and it looks fine.

My 98 V70 XC has 109,000 miles on it - I was wondering if anyone else has experienced problems with their fuel tanks leaking, or if maybe this is yet another reoccuring problem with XC's or volvo's in general. Any help or advice would be very much appreciated - thanks!

[srs]

I have not heard of gas leaks on the V70XC or other newer Volvos. (However, my 240s have leaked at around 10-15 years old because of corroded sending units.)
Is it possible that your tank was overfilled?
The fuel filter is in the same area. It is mounted above the rear axle, right of center. Removing the carge floor will expose two access panels to allow inspection and replacement from above. Simple but not for the inexperienced....gas burns and causes large permanent scarring!!!!! The fuel filter can also be visualized from underneath. Bay 13 has good pictures. I would replace the filter if it is the original.
Aside from safety and environmental reasons to fix the leak soon, leaking gas will eventally damage your car and the pavement.

Good luck-I hope it was a simple overfill.

[Rabbit]

Yes, I've had the same identical problem with my wife's 2000 XC. Leaking from the passenger side at the front of the tank. Turned out to be the gasket on the fuel pump - left side.

Cost me $245 to repair, and i was pissed off about it.

They performed a smoke test on it after it was repaired to verify they had fixed the problem.

My "rant" on Volvospeed - XC Leaking Fuel After Fillup

Link to my pissed off "rant"

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=54949&hl=

After hearing about your experience, I'm seriously considering filing a complaint with NHTSA.... http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/images/smilies/cussing.gif

[Yana13]

Thank you both for your responses!

May be a stupid question - but even if the tank was overfilled, should it leak? Also, the fuel filter hasn't been replaced yet. . .could an old fuel filter cause a leak?

I found a repair shop which deals only with Volvo's - I will probably take it to them and see what they tell me (I would rather not take it to the dealer). . .If I was at all car savy I'd be willing to investigate the matter myself, but I'm afraid, especially since it is dealing with gas, that I will blow something up, or at least catch myself on fire.

Thanks!

[RedXC]

I believe -2000 XC has one fuel pump. other one is a sending unit. Leaking fuel possible overfill. Just have the volvo specialist inspect it.

[Tyrant11429]

don't overfill it, when the gas pump stops, thats it, by over filling it I guess that will cause problems. Well don't worry I over fill it too lol, makes me a hipocrit :) I'm not gonna do that no more though since hearing about that. Oh it happened to my dads 960 he over filled the tank and his sending unit went bad