We bought a 2000 V70/XC70 SI new in 2001 when they were closing them out...got a good deal!

Recently (okay, two years ago), my wife noticed a gasoline smell around the car.The smell is noticeable mostly outside the car, but sometimes inside. My sniffer isn't that good so I rarely even noticed the smell.

After several rounds of investigation a local mechanic found the problem, a leak at the fuel tank. It is a small leak and in the part of the system that stays pressurized when the car is shut off. Thus, the longer the car sits, the more gas leaks out and the more noticeable the smell.

It also explains why the car has an erratically issue with taking long to start. If it sits for a long time, the gas leaks out and depressurizes the fuel system. The fuel pump has to pressurize the system before the injectors can work properly and the engine can run. The workaround is to turn the ignition on, but not attempt to start the car instantly. I have found that the time it takes to fasten my seatbelt is long enough for the fuel system to pressurize and the car to start normally.

The mechanic explained to me that the leak is at a point on the gas tank that would require draining and removing the tank. That an access port through the cargo area let him see the problem, but not reach and repair it.

Is anyone aware of a TSB or recall on this issue? has anyone heard of a fix for this problem?

Thanks!

JGT

 

Is it the new or old body style?

 

I'm guessing the old body style. The new one being the one where the body is raised up and substantial different from the V70 and 850.

JGT

 

Ok I wanted to make sure because outside the U.S. got the newer body styles in 2000 we didn't get them till 2001.

But since it is the older body style yes the tank will have to be dropped with most of the rear suspension unless they cut a hole in the floorboard under the passenger side rear seat.

I dont think there is a recall or anything on the fuel pumps. If it was a 2001 then yes there was a recall but not on the 2000 cars.

 

I was wondering if there was a place to cut the body to access the tank. My mechanic didn't want to do that, but I just might do that for him and then have him do the rest.

I'm going to check the 2001 TSBs for this issue. Do you happen to have an id number for the issue?

Thanks very much!

JGT

 

There was a post not long ago with pics.