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Replacing gas tank

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by lauracarroll, May 14, 2013.

  1. lauracarroll

    lauracarroll Junior Member

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    I have searched and can't find a thread on this problem. My 2005 won't start and after replacing the 12v battery we had it towed to the dealer and they say it is bad gas. They detected water in the tank and fuel lines. They said it can't be drained, the only fix is to replace tank, fuel pump, lines, and spark plus. Will cost just under $1500.00.

    Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this?

    I need to give them an answer, but I would like to know if there is an alternative.

    Thanks
     
    #1 lauracarroll, May 14, 2013
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Ask your dealer's service writer why the tech cannot disconnect the fuel line where it feeds the fuel rail at the engine, connect an extension to the line so that a drain container can receive output, then run the fuel pump to drain most of the fuel from the tank.

    Then reconnect the fuel line, fill the tank with good fuel, and see what happens regarding engine performance. There is a good chance you will find the engine is fine - this is not rocket science.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, May 14, 2013
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  3. Priusyipee

    Priusyipee Active Member

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    Patrick is correct. We had the same problem about 4 years ago in our 2005 Prius when we purchased bad gas locally. Many customers were affected. Supplier paid the cost of draining the tank at our local Toyota dealership. No problem with engine or any components. Also received a $50.00 gas card! No problems since.
     
    #3 Priusyipee, May 14, 2013
  4. lauracarroll

    lauracarroll Junior Member

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    Thanks guys. My husband called the service writer and basically read him exactly what Patrick wrote and he said it couldn't be done because of the bladder. That was before I read Priusyipee's comment. I guess we need to ask our regular mechanic if he can do it and have it towed back to him.
     
    #4 lauracarroll, May 15, 2013
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  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    In order to make the fuel pump run, the tech needs to use the Toyota Techstream laptop or equivalent. If your regular mechanic is not a Toyota specialist he may not have access to this diagnostic tool.

    An alternative then, would be for your mechanic to hook up a 12V source directly to the fuel pump, which would probably require removal of the rear seat and an access panel in the floor for access to the fuel pump connection.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, May 15, 2013
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  6. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    After draining the tank a suitable fuel additive for the first few tanks would be recommended to mop up any water left in the tank. I cannot recommend an actual additive as I do not know what is available in the US, but know doubt someone will give this information.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #6 Britprius, May 15, 2013
  7. Prius_Cub

    Prius_Cub Member

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    Heet gas-line antifreeze and water remover would be an inexpensive option for that. Our local Advance Auto Parts carries it for no more than $2-$3 a bottle and treats up to 20 gallons. Basically its just methanol, some products use isopropyl alcohol, it keeps any remaining water suspended in the fuel rather than letting it separate out in solution.
     
    #7 Prius_Cub, May 15, 2013
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  8. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Sound just about right. We have products this side the pond but under different names. Some put in the fuel before draining would also help by suspending the water in the fuel instead of it separating out and settling in the bottom of the tank.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #8 Britprius, May 15, 2013
  9. lauracarroll

    lauracarroll Junior Member

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    Thanks again, Patrick.

    I just bought my 2010 from a different Toyota dealer, about 50 miles away from the one that has my 2005 and they said they can do it, and have done it before, but the tank has to be dropped out and cleaned, about a $300 job.

    I'm going to check with the one other Toyota dealer that is closer to where the car is.
     
    #9 lauracarroll, May 15, 2013
  10. Prius_Cub

    Prius_Cub Member

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    Good idea John, I didn't think of that!
     
    #10 Prius_Cub, May 15, 2013
  11. lauracarroll

    lauracarroll Junior Member

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    We used to use that Heet in an Escort we had years ago. My husband suggested we try that, but I was afraid it might melt the stupid bladder or something. I guess I could tell him to try it.
     
    #11 lauracarroll, May 15, 2013
  12. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    As far as I know it's mainly methanol.
     
    #12 css28, May 15, 2013
  13. NortTexSalv04Prius

    NortTexSalv04Prius Active Member

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    My suggest is additive "heet" and also
    Isopropyl alcohol

    Isopropyl alcohol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    this may displace some of the water
     
    #13 NortTexSalv04Prius, May 15, 2013
  14. Priusyipee

    Priusyipee Active Member

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    Heet will not destroy the bladder as I have been using it for years to keep ice from forming in the tank during the winter months in extreme temperatures. I also used it after the dealership removed the water from the tank for the first few fill ups. I do not recall anything about the gas tank being dropped or removed from the vehicle in order to remove the contaminated gasoline. When I picked up the car at the dealership, I was told that the contaminated gas was siphoned out of the tank, the fuel lines were drained and that Heet was added with fresh gas in order to remove any additional water that may have remained in the system. I have not had any problems since that time with the starting/charging system, fuel system, or engine. The dealership was Garrands Toyota in Plattsburgh, NY but has changed hands since then and is now Della Toyota.
     
    #14 Priusyipee, May 22, 2013
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