DRIFTER-M

FRsport and Enjuku seem to be out.

What is everyone doing? Used seems like a sucky alternative, being old and plastic doesn't seem much more than a band-aid. We all fuel cell from here on out? Just curious as I feel this will be a huge problem for s14 owners down the road, interesting to see the current idea to fix. I don't need right now, but it's something I constantly think about with the s14 and I suppose next time will be a fuel cell.

__________________
I Love Drifting Thread > Drifting is Stupid thread

Kingtal0n

I wonder if S15 will fit

I already know they have the same 'lid'

There has to be a car with a similar shape tank out there somewhere. Somebody needs to just measure 999 of them to find it.

BTW where do they tend to crack? I have a 96 that isn't cracked yet and wondering when/where... too lazy to look it up... /spooonf

Ryosuke Takahashi

I'm actually researching how to go about doing a fuel cell in one of my s14s. Not really to sure how to go about it yet. Stepping outside to your car finding leaky gas all over the place is not fun. If I noticed anything it seems like the darker colored factory colors will crack sooner than let's say Aspen white. My emerald blue s14 always gets really hot throughout the day and it seems like that might have something to do with it. Where as the white one doesn't retain heat and is still holding up fine. Mine cracked on the passenger side bottom buldge that's over subframe and a pinhole size where the lid is where the lines and connectors meet.

sXe240

I am still learning about my s14 and I didn't even know about this issue. Luckily I checked and mine looks okay for now. Maybe contact an importer and see if they have any gas tanks in Japan you could get shipped here.

Hoffman5982

Can you not get them directly from the dealership? That's where I got mine

__________________

Agamemnon

S14 and S15 shared the same part# for the tank. Currently discontinued.

My advice is to search for a professional plastic repair shop focusing in hazardous materials storage. My crack formed on the passenger side just above the seam.

Kingtal0n

Well this is interesting.

This gives me the excuse I need to import an S15 for "parts".

yeah, man, parts... $9000 for a naturally aspirated S15 with no drivetrain so I can get a $5 fuel tank
seriously though there are at least 5 importers within 100 miles of me that regularly bring back all manner of half-cut silvia stuff for the last 20 years. One of them must have an S15 tank they would part with. If they do not destroy them somehow that is. to be continued...


-> random found one in Cali
https://www.ebay.com/itm/240sx-s14-f...7Rq:rk:19:pf:0

DRIFTER-M

You can certainly find used ones, but the general way plastic rot is I am not sure that is more than a bad-aid for a short time.

I thought about pulling mine and rhino coating it. Or a fuel cell, but man - idk if I want to do that drastic of a change especially for a car I still cruise in every so often.

Hoffman - dealerships seems to be out (or at least the majority) as it is now officially discontinued for I believe 2 years?

__________________
I Love Drifting Thread > Drifting is Stupid thread

simmode1

Ahhh the main reason I got rid of my Zenki... aside from the shitty sunroof trim moulding.

IIRC, the issue seemed to only affect Zenki and not koukis from the last time I broached this topic.

Have fun with this one, guys.

__________________
"Simplicity is the key to brilliance." - Bruce Lee

afishysilvia

I’m around 250,000 miles on chassis with no issues at all (95 Zenki). Why not just go with fuel cell?

__________________
Dont be a pussy...Leave your name

Ryosuke Takahashi

You cant legally smog the car in cali once you go fuel cell.

afishysilvia

I was not aware of this, for the S13 people you can register as classic. Zenki's will soon be able to 2020/2021 and obviously Kouki's after that.

__________________
Dont be a pussy...Leave your name

FaLKoN240

I just picked up tank #3 yesterday. I have a 98...

__________________

Best way to do business with me? Make your best offer FIRST.

Agamemnon

All the tanks are the same spanning all years.
Laurels,R33/34, etc all share the same tank. Who knows with Nissan replicating old parts for Skylines maybe will see an updated tank for us S-chassis folks.

jumpman2334

do you have any further info on this? I have never heard of a classic car exemption for CA (just the 75 or older). I did manage to find this which states if your vehicle is older than 25 years old, it becomes smog exempt. I don't think that's accurate.


https://www.carsdirect.com/dmv/do-cl...-in-California


I couldn't find anything on the dmv site other than this:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/co...df?MOD=AJPERES
(it states that your car has to be 35 years or older to skip out on some portions of a smog check.)

afishysilvia

https://www.dmv.com/ca/california/cu...e-registration

While this is vague and not even from actual DMV/CA, the document you provided is from 2012. I have seen this someone else but not sure on the DMV of CA's actual site. I myself have been looking for this too. I will be registered out of state soon so this wont be an issue. Back onto topic however, in regards to the fuel cell. Is this banned due to venting/re-circulation of gases? What if one provides original canister and has the proper routing of an original system?

__________________
Dont be a pussy...Leave your name

sXe240

I don't know about in California but here in Nj my Zenki already qualifies for that. No inspection needed just have to register it and insure it that's all.

loser101

Should start a gofundme fund to make injection molds of the gas tank.

__________________

feito

Wasn't someone recently having a hard time giving a good one away? A real shame if that went to the trash. Anyway, only thing I can think of is a custom made metal one. Shouldn't be that hard for someone with experience. As long as it's seated properly, the rest should be easy.

__________________
Tuners are big bullies

Ryosuke Takahashi

Maybe this fuel tank problem is a blessing indisguise. If a fuel cell was installed in the trunk. Wouldnt that extra space where the OEM one sat create more clearance to further raise the subframe?

fliprayzin240sx

Typically would crack just above the banding strap for the tank.




I cut into my back seat to get to it and plastic patched it when mine cracked.

__________________

If you think Zilvia has too many assholes...
CLICK HERE!!!

DRIFTER-M

I’ve seen the theory, but like FaLKon240 below, I have known kouki people it affected too - so I don’t think the theory of it being a Zenki issue only is completely true. There is another theory that the crack is caused by bad subframe bushings causing the subframe to bounce / put pressure on the tank. Maybe there is some validity to that? Would be interesting to see if someone with solid or poly bushings experienced the problem after replacing the bushings.

The real issue IMO is that Nissan used plastic. It was stupid.

Fuel cells are not cheap (at least for safer and reputable ones), not super easy to hook up, and simply unsafe for a Daily or a street cruiser. A rear end collision could be disastrous, You def have to fabricate a firewall and cage/ tube the trunk area to guarantee the safest fitting. You also lose trunk space, lose capacity in many cases, and lose simple stuff like fuel gauge readings.

Sigh. Friggin Nissan.


Nissan today cares very little (re: not at all) about us. I can’t see that happening

To answer both of you - I once floated this on a local board a few years back. I thought it would be simple, doesn’t sound hard right? A dude that I know has extensive knowledge of fabrication and meta engineering chimed in and apparently it’s actually a seriously difficult process and would be insanely costly. I don’t remember the reasons, but gas tanks are apparently much more complex than one initially thinks. I thought of a go fund me up until his super detailed response, and I realized it was incredibly unlikely it would ever happen.

Definitely a positive aspect. I just feel like there are several negatives as well, and not sure it justifies it fully.


A good fix (when it works), but definitely a band-aid. Still thinking cell is the best “permanent” route, but ugh. I really am thinking about doing the pesky subframe pull just to get mine coated in rhino shield while it is still mint, and see if that ends up making a difference in the long run.

__________________
I Love Drifting Thread > Drifting is Stupid thread

Kingtal0n

very interesting idea. I wonder if there is a correlation between manual transmission cars + cracked fuel tanks, given the prevalence of bad subframe bushings and manual transmission vs automatic cars without that issue. The 96 I have is original auto, still auto, and doesn't have a cracked fuel tank yet...

so anyone with an auto car, acquired a cracked tank with the auto and good subframe bushings... all it would take is 1 person to come forward to more or less eliminate the theory.

Ryosuke Takahashi

When I pulled mine out the oem bushings were still fresh. No play or stress cracks. Very firm for a old car. Even all the subframe arms weren't oxidized and very easy to break loose without much effort. But I remember the hose under the engine bay for the fuel filter burst. And when I went to replace the fuel filter, I checked it out and it was very constipated. Barely any air pressure could get through. So I'm thinking maybe it caused some back pressure in the fuel system causing the actual tank to crack open. My car is also a 94 auto

Kingtal0n

isn't a 94 a convertible S13 with a metal fuel tank

Ryosuke Takahashi

No it's a 9/94 s14.

Kingtal0n

thanks. So that didn't take long. New theory: tank pressure causes crack to form? Sounds reasonable enough. The plot thickens...

All I know is tomorrow I am calling everyone I know and looking for some spare fuel tanks. This threads got me all kinds of worried.

Ryosuke Takahashi

Ya even after finding another spare tank and installing it in it still smelled like gas. There was no leaks but I was scratching my head for the longest time. Until I found out the seal on my gas filler cap was shit now as well. I got a replacement and the smell went away. So like my whole fuel delivery system took a huge shit on me.

Kingtal0n

gas filler cap, so what part is this? Is that something you can fix from the outside of the car, or? Easy to replace? Where do you get the new part?

I've got so much to learn about the fuel tank area, it makes me sick.

Agamemnon

My original 95 auto developed a crack in the typical spot while it was still an auto with decent condition bushings.

I suspect it’s a manufacturing defect. Every leak I’ve heard of is in the same spot every time. I’d be willing to bet that the plastic gets very thin in the area.