Has anyone ever had their gas tank removed and cleaned and boiled? My shop told me to do it to make sure everything is clean after replacing the fuel pump. They said they can also weld in a clean out on the bottom of the tank.
They want $400.00 for the service.

Even though my car is 11 years old it has 60,000 miles.

Will this help or is a waste?

 

hmmmm, I'd think it's a waste for a car with that little mileage.....but if you love your car, what's another $400, eh? I know I'd do it when the ole girl hits the 125K mark.

 

Your shop is taking you for a nice ride on that upsale.

 

It depends on why the fuel pump was replaced in the first place. If the fuel pump failed electronically then no you don't need to do the fuel tank service. If the fuel pump died for mechanical reasons then it is a good idea to flush out the metal shavings on the bottom of the tank. I am telling you this based on experience. I replaced a toyota previa fuel pump once (comes out from the bottom so tank needs to be drained) and you wouldn't believe the amount of crap that was in the fuel tank (could be the remains of the fuel pump). It is at least 2 to 3 cupfull of what looks like metal shavings/sand. However being as our car's fuel pump is easily accessible you can drive around for a few months and yank out the pump and take a look at the pump's filter screen to seen if contaminates are trapped on it. You can make the call then.

 

Thanks, great idea, I'll take your advice!

 

[QUOTE=i30krab]They said they can also weld in a clean out on the bottom of the tank.QUOTE]

I thought our fuel tanks are plastic?

 

Sure. Remember to check the pump after a while. The fuel pump will self destruct quickly if the screen does get clogged to the point where fuel cannot pass through it easily.

 

clean the screen. and we have a fuel filter for a reason (a pretty efficient one at that). a new tank from nissan is arounf $300, so why pay $400 for a clean old one when you can buy a new one and install it for around the same price.

 

having the fuel tank cleaned. . . I wouldn't pay for that service, especially when 2da mizzax states a new one is $300.

look into the tank and look around. Two clips and the back seat is out. couple connectors and three screws and the top to the tank is off. Use a flash light.

in addition to fithos idea. get one of those magnets on the extender, and wave it around in the tank and see if you pick up any shavings.

 

Good idea!

 

I went to the shop to deliver the new fuel pump and I looked in the tank since it had been disassembled. The tank looked very clean and my mechanic agreed to poke aroud inside with a big magnet to check for metal shavings.
No new gas tank here!