leaking leaking everywhere!

[missjanalt]

The other day my car seemed to smell like gas and I took it to the mechanic who said there appears to be a leak at the seams of the gas tank. The gas mileage is crappy already (compared to my last car which was a Ford Taurus), and gas prices suck, so leaking gas is NOT FUN!

There also seems to be a leak somewhere in the front which the mechanic didn't find right away so he suggested I put a piece of cardboard under the car over night, which I did. This morning there was a puddle of some liquid that looks dark but doesn't smell like gas, so I'm thinking oil.

I've already had 2 major repairs on the car in January and February, plus the breaks (and something or other called calipers?) need to be replaced in the fall, so I'm starting to get pretty sick of all the repairs for this car -- which I like otherwise -- but every few months there seems to be SOME major repair! My friend offered to set it on fire for me, I'm starting to consider her offer!

Seriously, anyone got a clue as to how much repairs run for new gas tanks on a Kia Rio 2002? I've just spent an hour on the net trying to find prices and estimates, but came up empty until I happend onto this forum.

[Wrench4Life]

Fuel rail recall been performed on your car yet?

[Wrench4Life]

As far as end user reliability is concerned you will not get the reliability from a rio that you would get from a Ford Escort or Focus. Most of the people here will disagree, but Consumer Reports, J.D. Power etc do not lie. Back to your gas tank issue, I would check the fuel line fittings, you can remove the rear seat bottom cushion and there is a plate in the center secured by four screws, remove the screws look at the lines both with the car running and the car off. it is possible a line needs to just be relocked in place or an o-ring is bad, even the fuel pump o-ring may have dried out and is allowing gas to splash past it. If it occurs during fill up's then the fuel filler neck to tank hose may be the culprit. If indeed it is a gas tank a salvage yard may be a good option, if you would like a new tank check with the radiator wholesalers in your area, the ones in my area as well as other areas I have lived in have carried gas tanks along with their lines or radiators, condensors etc.

Generally a bad leak is easy to spot as the drops are present on the bottom of the engine, trans, or cross-member, you just follow the drip to the seal, gasket, etc from where it originated. Generally if the leak is on the driver's side it is transmission fluid, if it is on the passenger's side it is motor oil, but could be transmission fluid as it is used as PS fluid, it could also be antifreeze.