Dent in gas tank.

[Danny-G]

As the title says, I've got a dent in my gas tank and I've been told by a mechanic thats the cause of my gas guage being inaccurate. Anyone have any input on if this is correct or not? And I know I'm going to need to replace the gas tank too cause its got that dent and I broke a stud that holds the fuel pump and sending unit down. Lastly, does anyone know of a good place to get a replacement tank?

[kimokalihi]

Junk yards or people parting out their cars. How bad is the dent? I would have to be a pretty bad dent to make that big of a difference. What kind of inaccuracy are we talking about here?

[Danny-G]

The gauge stops a little bit above half when I fill the tank and can be at quarter when its actually empty and I've replaced both sending units with new ones from the dealership, I also replaced the gauge its self with one from a 93 wagon. I'm not sure how big the dent is but its on the right front and noticable.

[kimokalihi]

Maybe the sending unit float shaft is bent? Or maybe you need to replace or clean the contact surface that it slides over to send the signal to the gauge?

[Danny-G]

How would I clean the contact surfaces?

[kimokalihi]

You know what surface I'm talking about? It gets dirty and cause false readings.

[Danny-G]

It would be the part circled, right?

[kimokalihi]

Yup.

[Legacy777]

Where exactly is the dent and how big is it? Can you take a picture?

[Danny-G]

Kimo, how would I clean it? Josh, I can get a picture tomorrow and the dent is in the right front of the tank.

[kimokalihi]

I've never cleaned one but I read that some have used an eraser to clean it.

[BSOD2600]

I've never cleaned one but I read that some have used an eraser to clean it.

That'd be me.

It's easy, just erase in the same direction as the lines so you don't rub off the metal (just in case) traces.

[Danny-G]

Alright, sounds easy enough, hopefully it will help.
Edit. Got the pictures of the dent.

[Legacy777]

Wow, that's a pretty substantial dent, and is right where the fuel pump sock is and is likely impacting the fuel sender movement. There's a tray around the fuel pump sock and that could be hitting the sender float causing it not to move how it needs to.

I'd really probably suggest replacing that tank.

[Danny-G]

Would there be any way to pop the dent out from the right side access hole? it would save me quite a bit of money, but if there is no way I'm in the market for a replacement tank.

[Legacy777]

I kind of doubt you'd be able to pop that out from the access hole. You could try....but not sure how successfull you'd be. I don't know if you have a wagon or sedan. If you have sedan....doing any work from the access hole is going to suck. Wagon would be easier.

[Danny-G]

Well it sounds like I'm outta luck on attempting to get the dent out, I have a sedan, so time to see what comes up for a new tank.

[cj91legss]

just head to pull-a-part and grab one

[kimokalihi]

Make sure to bring some safety glasses. You're gonna get a lot of dirt in your eyes.

[SPUMONI_RT]

I also have e dent in my tank. The gas gauge only goes up to 3/4 of a tank and only down to 1/4 when empty. I can only fit 10 gallons at fill up. When gas is getting low and I make right turns gas will cut out until it sloshes back. I can only get 200 miles out of a tank w/o the right turn no gas issue.

Compressed air helped a little, but try stuffing gas in it, just keep pumping til it won't fit anymore, the weight may push it out.

[kimokalihi]

I doubt the weight will push out a dent. Also, are you sure your gauge is just not reading properly and it's not that you can only fit 10 gallons in? It's a 16.9 gallon tank if I remember correctly. That's a huge difference. On my subaru if I run it down to E it fits 12+ gallons but there's still over 4 gallons left and the fuel light doesn't come on til below E. Gauge sending unit accuracy is a very common problem on these cars.