I think I might have the fuel tank leak that was recently put on the Volvo recall list. Tonight I went to fill my tank - put in 8 gallons (15 bucks was all I could afford), which made the guage go to approx 12 gallons. Left and went about 1/2 mile. I noticed a gas smell while at a Wendy's and assumed it was another car.

Got home in the garage and still smell gas when I get out - checked engine area and around the car. Still smelled strong. Got a flashlight and looked under the rear of the car - lo and behold it was dripping big time off the bottom of the tank. How the f*&#&^ did that happen?? And can I start my house on fire!!

Pushed the car out of the car and had a tow truck come and it get - did not want it to drip 10 gallons out of the tank! IT was a slow but, enought that overnight in the drive would be a lot. Plus, I come to find out, my sister who drives it primarily, has noticed a bit less mileage recently. Hmmmm!

I have one of those filler gas caps from IPD that allows you to fill without taking off the cap - at first I thought I might have not got the nozzle in all the way and gas had dripped around the tank. Did not seem possible...or not fesible?

Then I did the birckboard search and found this tank recall. The car is at a local garage, but I might call my Volvo dealer (never go to one) or Volvo of America to see if I can get the free gas tank!

My symptoms seem to parallel the others on the brickboard search. Sure glad I caught this one - I hate fuel leaks and even doing fule filters. Funny thing is I had just changed the fuel filter on my 88 740 sedan the day before - it was sitting in the garage next to the leaking 850 and I was blaming the smell initially on the 740! Poor 740 was not the culprit and was wrongfully accused! I looked under it and it was dry as a bone! LOL

Bob Weber
Hamilton, Ohio
59 Volvos since 1979
94 850 103k Ruby Redhawk - leaking gas!!
93 850 171K Dusty (maybe I better check its tank too)
88 740 174K Ella Blue (waiting for me to put another oil pan gasket on after I botched the first one - it leaks oil - dumb me mis-aligned the gasket and permatex is not saving me)
86 240 147K Woody (it's looking a for new water pump, timing belt and front seals before winter)