hello everyone.

i own a 2001 automatic punto elx.

when i fill the tank to its fullest, it seems the tank is leaking from its top end.

ive heard in some places that it is a common issue in this model, which i find hard to believe. also some ppl told me that the punto simply "pukes out" excess fuel, i find that also quite not realistic.

ive looked though several threads here and none gave an answer that is suitable for my problem.

i took the car to a Fiat garage, they checked the fuel pump and said it was okay and that it is probably the tank, which will need to be replaced.

before i go and get a new fuel tank, i thought i'd seek advice here.

ive also uploaded a picture of the tank. u can see the black marks on the tank which were caused by the leaking fuel.

please help.

thanks in advance.

Mozes.

its a 10 year old car made out of old skodas
why not instead of brimming the tank and creating your self problems only fill the tank 3/4 full and your problems will be of no magnitude

Hate fuel leaks. Are you sure it is a leak and not simply excess fuel going out the overflow. Filling to the brim is not good practice. Fuel will expand about 1% for every ten degree rise in temperature , so if the air is 20 degrees warmer than the ground tank the petrol in a Punto will expand nearly one litre and it has to go somewhere. Stop brimming for a bit and see if it stops , if not and you have a real leak then it's time to get the tank out and stop it before things get a lot hotter.

If there is a fuel leak its not good news

Not brimming it is just a way of avoiding fuel leaking

However what happens in an accident and its now dripping onto you nice hot exhaust?
Bad news thats what....

get a 2nd one or a new one that are good to go

Ziggy

s and b, thats what ive been doing ever since i found out about the problem, but thats not a solution.
like i said, forget the fact its a waste of fuel (which is really expensive round here - about $2/litre), im more concerned about the safety issue.

like Ziggy said, god forbid, should i be involved in an accident, god knows how it will end.

anyways, ill fill it up only 3/4 until i get some time and money to get it fixed.

if anyone has any idea about some other reasons for this leak, i would be more than happy!

thank you very much for all of those who replied and helped.

Isn't the petrol tank plastic on the punto
if it is leaking then it is cracked or puntured
and in danger of splitting. I could be a split
pipe attached to the tank either way if vapours
are allowed to escape then you will be getting
less miles per litre than you should due to
evaporation.
Replace or reseal is the best option.

John

sixpotman said:

Isn't the petrol tank plastic on the punto
if it is leaking then it is cracked or puntured
and in danger of splitting. I could be a split
pipe attached to the tank either way if vapours
are allowed to escape then you will be getting
less miles per litre than you should due to
evaporation.
Replace or reseal is the best option.

John

Click to expand...

You know what..... i believe your right.....
its plastic - eitherway - Run out of fuel - Depressure fuel line
drop the tank - and have a look only way forward

running out of fuel will mean you wont risk sloshing your money everywhere

ziggy

Mozes
lift the back seat squab up
remove the plastic cover on the floor pan held with 3 philips screws
check to see if the plastic retaining ring on the fuel pump hasnt cracked and is allowing the pump to lift and allow fuel to leak out