Is Mechanic Responsible For Fuel Tank Damage?

[LillFilly]

So, car wouldn't start the other day. 14 yo car, 144,000miles, just passed inspection 2-weeks ago and got new brakes. Had it towed to the same shop I always use when it's an issue that doesn't require a part specific to that make of car. Seems the fuel pump died. Shop orders one to come in within the hour. Only problem is the bolts holding the pump to the tank are so rusted that it looks like the two have fused. Shop warns me that if the bolts break when they take the pump off, it may take an extra day to get new bolts. Ok, it's a risk we have to take. Get a call an hour later, bolts didn't break but they also bolted the pump to the fuel tank and the fuel tank broke. So, this means a new fuel tank, overall cost of the pump, tank and labor to be about $1,000. I have a way to get to work, so the shop is taking an extra day to call around and try to find the best price on a tank they can; it's also a part specific to that make of car, so we might end up having to buy it from the dealership. Of course this all happened around noon on friday of memorial day weekend!

So, people have told me that I shouldn't have to pay for the new tank because they never warned me that the work they were doing could damage it. Heck, I didn't think of it, but it stands to reason that the pump would somehow be attached to the tank, right? I don't think they could have judged just how fragile the tank turned-out to be, and wouldn't it be better to find this out now than on a 300mil car trip or something? I also don't think they could guarantee work like that on a car so old; that would just be asking for them to get ripped-off. So, what do you guys think?

[rose_metal_nz]

I am not car-mechanically minded, but my first thought would be that they caused the damage (to a part you didn't ask them to work on, specifically) then they should be responsible for repairing said damage. YMMV (no pun intended )

[csquared]

You did not say what the damage to the tank was, so I can't say for sure. If the damage was their negligence, then they should replace it. If it broke because it was old and rusty, then nope.

[Kittish]

You did not say what the damage to the tank was, so I can't say for sure. If the damage was their negligence, then they should replace it. If it broke because it was old and rusty, then nope.

My own feeling is this. And ask to actually SEE the damage to the tank yourself.

[Josh]

Unless you must have brand new parts, you could save a bundle by getting the tank from a junkyard. Also cruise the web to check availabilty and prices on your own, shops can have a steep markup on parts they acquire. Have heard good things from RockAuto.

[LillFilly]

You did not say what the damage to the tank was, so I can't say for sure. If the damage was their negligence, then they should replace it. If it broke because it was old and rusty, then nope.

It broke because it was old and rusty, which I figure, could have happened any way at any time. I figured I'd get some opinions on it though, as some said that if they could see the condition it was in, they should have been more careful.

[csquared]

they could see the condition it was in, they should have been more careful.

And you reach a point where "being more careful" translates into "we won't touch it unless you release us from the the risk."

Did you sign a release form to authorize the work? I'll betcha there is a clause in there someplace.

The next time I am in the auto shop, I'll have to get a copy of the release and read the fine print just to amuse myself.

[notthecook]

My husband is a mechanic....

There's not way to tell if the bolts are going to come out of the pump, or what shape the gas tank is in until you tear it apart. That's is the chance you take.

The gas tank sets up in the frame, there is a space between the body and the gas tank, and all the dirt, crud and salt ( dependent on where you live) settles up in there. That causes corrosion. You won't know what you've got until it's torn apart.

(his words)

I wish you luck.

[LillFilly]

Did you sign a release form to authorize the work? I'll betcha there is a clause in there someplace.

No, usually I do, but then I usually have an appointment for some agreed upon work. This was the first time I had an emergency and the first time I didn't sign a 'we'll do this up until X amount and then we'll ask for authorization if it looks like you need more work done.'

Talked to them today, they had to get a new gas tank; couldn't find a good used one, so the car may be ready Wed or Thu.

[Shalom]

Last time I bought a fuel tank for the '88 Blazer, I found the best price was at amazon.com. Felt kinda weird buying a gas tank from a bookstore.

(rockauto.com is great for looking up part numbers. amazon's part finder sucks horribly, but if you have the actual p/n you're OK.)

One caveat: the first tank I bought had to be exchanged under warranty, and I had to pay out for labor, but that could happen anywhere. The bad tank was a Dorman, which normally is a good name, but there were thin spots on the bottom which were essentially holes covered with paint. Gasoline is a good solvent for paint, with the inevitable result.

[emax4]

This one is middle-of-the-road, but if you admit that it was old and rusty, enough in a condition that it could have broken at any time soon, I would just bite the bullet on this one. I know how sucky it is to buy more than what you need, but the benefit is that you can drive safely knowing the parts that needed replaced HAVE been replaced. Better to find out now & get it repaired, then to break down somewhere else, get a tow, then wait longer for yet another repair.

[Cole's Law]

Yeah, on a 14 year old tank, it's seen a lot of wear. I've got to agree with those who say it's just a thing that happened. now, if it were a brand new tank, or they damaged something unrelated (e.g., muffler), then they should pay for it. drive safe knowing your car isn't about to become the end of a Looney Tunes cartoon.

[barainga]

If the part wasnt supposed to be bolted to the tank and them doing that is what caused the damage.. then yes. Totally their fault. Or if they did it wrong.

[sstabeler]

considering the tank was old and rusted, then yeah, you're liable. TBH, the tank should probably have been replaced anyway if it was that rusty. It doesn't take much force at all to attach a bolt (which is the stage where the tank broke if II read the OP correctly) so the tank was probably on the point of breaking anyway.

[Caractacus_Potts]

It would have been nice if they had mentioned the tank but with them stating the bolts were rusted it doesn't sound like they are trying to artifically inflate the price by pretneding the tank was no good. If the bolts holding the fuel pump were rusted it's a good bet the tank was too.

I think you have to ask yourself, if they had mentioned the tank might be rusted and could be damaged when taking the fuel pump out would you have told them to go ahead and do it or would you have decided to scrap the car and sell it for junk (or put it in storage until you had enough money to cover the potential tank replacement)? If it is the former then whether they told you about the potential complication with the tank or not is a moot point; if it is the latter then you may have reason to complain.