Fuel problem

[Hi im tbone]

Good afternoon. I have an 08 Cobalt and long story short, I havent driven my car in over a week. Today I went for a short drive and when I got home I noticed my car was leaking fuel. Any ideas what It could be or how to fix it? Thank you very much.

 

[Hi im tbone]

Pics are below, towards the back of the car.

 

[SideShow Bob]

From your pictures and description I cannot tell where your fuel leak is.
If it is in the area of in front of and inside of the drivers rear tire, you probably have the semi-common problem of rotted fuel lines. There is no factory recalls for this, so you are on your own to repair it.
If it is toward the passenger side and dripping from the fuel tank skid plate, you may be in luck and qualify for this recall # 12191B. Also a fairly common Cobalt problem.
https://testing-public.carmd.com/Tsb/Download/109096/4233868

And if you are leaking at the filler neck where it enters the fuel tank, the plastic nipple not the rubber hose, another problem but less common, you may qualify for factory replacement, but there are no longer any factory gas tank in inventory, so you May be S.O.L.
About the only option is scrap yard used gas tanks, you pays your money and takes your chances there.
If you take you car to the dealer to determine the problem,and it turns out to be a repair not covered by a recall, be prepared to call the police to Get your car out of the dealer they may try to soak you for a $1K+ repair bill and say it is illegal to let you take your car because it is unsafe. Call their bluff and call the police yourself.

 

[Hi im tbone]

I appreciate the information. It is leaking from that black clip looking thing in the pics. I will try and use the recall to get it fixed.

 

[SideShow Bob]

That looks like one of the fuel line hangers/clips. Is the leak actually at this location, or could the fuel be traveling down the fuel lines and dripping off at a low point ?

If it is the fuel line(s) there was a service bulletin for replacing them, but it was for cars sold new in a few certain states. I do not have that number, and I do not know if it is still in affect, but you could do some googling and you might run across this information as I did.

The special service bulletin number in my previous post is for only leaks at the fuel pump, look up the bulletin number and read the wording in it. You may want to confirm the leak location before taking your car to your local stealership.

 

[five7man]

Last year my 2007 G5 leaked fuel in the same spot.
The metal fuel line rusted out where it passes thru the plastic clip.
To fix it, the plastic clip was removed, the fuel line was trimmed to where it was solid and a piece of high pressure rubber hose rated for gasoline/fuel was added, the rubber fuel line was double clamped at both ends.
Not as good as replacing the entire metal fuel line but got the car back on the road and no problems thus far.

 

[SideShow Bob]

I appreciate the information. It is leaking from that black clip looking thing in the pics. I will try and use the recall to get it fixed.

Hey tbone,
You can call your local stealership with your vin handy, you May get lucky, it was cars sold in 5 states that were recalled for the fuel line leak. A 20% chance is better than no chance of a free repair.

 

[SideShow Bob]

I stand corrected, the stealership can get new fuel tanks for a 2007 Cobalt, see my thread titled “Minor Miracle......”

 

[SideShow Bob]

Duplicate post.

 

[SideShow Bob]

I appreciate the information. It is leaking from that black clip looking thing in the pics. I will try and use the recall to get it fixed.

It’s been about 2 months since this post.
Did the Stealership repair your fuel leak under the recall ?