Fuel Tank problem - Toyota Yaris Forums

devinlamothe · 01-31-2009, 08:16 AM

Hi everyone,

Here's my issue. We have a ton of pot holes here so this doesn't surprise me but - the other day I started to hear this knocking sound coming from the rear passenger side. I didn't think anything of it, as when it gets cold, I tend to hear a lot of creeks and such. But this kept on going and this morning I had a peek under the car, and I saw something bad.

There's a piece of metal that is covering the bottom of the fuel tank, and its coming off. I don't know if this is a critical piece but I would like to fix this ASAP. Anyone know what this piece is for? Should I be extra worried? I have a road trip planned for next weekend so any help is appreciated!

Note: I am brining to my dealer but they are booked until next week.

IllusionX · 01-31-2009, 09:46 AM

a picture would help.

devinlamothe · 01-31-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllusionX

a picture would help.

I tried taking a couple of pics, but because there's so much snow you can't see much of anything except a blur. Basically its a metal sheet that's covering a small area of the fuel tank. I think it's actually to protect the plastic tank against the exhaust heat.

CTScott · 01-31-2009, 03:50 PM

If it's the one that covers the corner of the tank, where the exhaust passes by, then it is there to protect the tank from heat. There are three mounting points - One is a bolt, the second is a nut that also holds the floor heat shield, and the third is a plastic pop-clip like the ones that hold the bumpers on.

devinlamothe · 01-31-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

If it's the one that covers the corner of the tank, where the exhaust passes by, then it is there to protect the tank from heat. There are three mounting points - One is a bolt, the second is a nut that also holds the floor heat shield, and the third is a plastic pop-clip like the ones that hold the bumpers on.

Yes, that is the one. The bolt/nut that is connecting it to the fuel tank is missing (looks like it's in the middle of the shield).

Do you think the knocking noise I am hearing is the nut rolling around inside the fuel tank?? Yikes.

devinlamothe · 01-31-2009, 05:52 PM

OK I've tried to get a better pic - it's hard to see but I have an arrow pointed to the piece that's not attached to the fuel tank anymore.

CTScott · 01-31-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Yes, that is the one. The bolt/nut that is connecting it to the fuel tank is missing (looks like it's in the middle of the shield).

Do you think the knocking noise I am hearing is the nut rolling around inside the fuel tank?? Yikes.

No - I think the knocking is the shield flapping against the tank and/or the tail pipe. The bolt doesn't actually go into the tank.

CTScott · 01-31-2009, 07:08 PM

I just snapped a picture under mine (mine's in the garage, so no snow to deal with). Are you missing the nut in the middle of the picture, or are you missing one of the clips that holds the shield to the flange of the tank?

auxmike · 01-31-2009, 08:55 PM

CT;
Good lookin' out with that pic....

devinlamothe · 01-31-2009, 11:11 PM

Looks like I am missing the nut in the middle and one of the plastic clips. Plus it looks like mine is pretty bent up. :(

GeneralDon7 · 02-01-2009, 03:51 AM

I would say its that piece rattling against the tank or underbody, must have been a good hole.

CTScott · 02-01-2009, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

Looks like I am missing the nut in the middle and one of the plastic clips. Plus it looks like mine is pretty bent up. :(

Wow! Take a close look and make sure the tank isn't damaged at all. You should be able to throw a washer and not on the stud to keep it from flapping, until you have a chance to go to the dealership to get a replacement clip and the OEM flanged nut.

devinlamothe · 02-01-2009, 02:37 PM

Tank isn't damaged as mine looks like its made from heavy duty plastic. I'm just worried that it's going to fall off and have to pay for a new one lol. I will try placing a washer and nut on and see if that helps.

Today the snow is melting so I will try and get a better picture of what I am talking about.

devinlamothe · 02-04-2009, 05:57 PM

Just as an update I did go to the dealer and they said it looked like I must have hit a big chunk of ice as there was no visible damage as to why it was hanging.

But I can now report that there is no more rattling and everything is quiet again! :)

marcus · 02-04-2009, 06:10 PM

nice to hear!!! now get some exhaust so you dont have to worry about other noises..lolz..

01-31-2009, 08:16 AM	#1
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	Fuel Tank problem Hi everyone, Here's my issue. We have a ton of pot holes here so this doesn't surprise me but - the other day I started to hear this knocking sound coming from the rear passenger side. I didn't think anything of it, as when it gets cold, I tend to hear a lot of creeks and such. But this kept on going and this morning I had a peek under the car, and I saw something bad. There's a piece of metal that is covering the bottom of the fuel tank, and its coming off. I don't know if this is a critical piece but I would like to fix this ASAP. Anyone know what this piece is for? Should I be extra worried? I have a road trip planned for next weekend so any help is appreciated! Note: I am brining to my dealer but they are booked until next week.

01-31-2009, 08:55 PM	#9
auxmike Drives: 2008 HB, A/T, Power W/L/M Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, New Yawk Posts: 2,063	CT; Good lookin' out with that pic.... __________________ Never take eyes off opponent - Bruce Lee

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
low gas mileage?	yrsdrgn	General Yaris / Vitz Discussion	30	01-17-2019 03:26 AM
Fuel Capacity ?	ttufrosty	DIY / Maintenance / Service	19	08-27-2013 12:14 PM
My progression into hypermiling	BailOut	General Yaris / Vitz Discussion	8	10-13-2009 06:31 PM
The Advantages of Nitrous on an Engine	KCALB SIRAY	Performance Modifications	7	01-02-2009 10:53 AM
General Warning and Fuel Tank Heat Shield	ttufrosty	General Yaris / Vitz Discussion	8	05-31-2007 10:59 PM

01-31-2009, 09:46 AM	#2
IllusionX It's the illusion you see View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan Aero Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brossard, QC Posts: 3,888	a picture would help.

01-31-2009, 03:50 PM	#4
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	If it's the one that covers the corner of the tank, where the exhaust passes by, then it is there to protect the tank from heat. There are three mounting points - One is a bolt, the second is a nut that also holds the floor heat shield, and the third is a plastic pop-clip like the ones that hold the bumpers on.

01-31-2009, 05:52 PM	#6
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	OK I've tried to get a better pic - it's hard to see but I have an arrow pointed to the piece that's not attached to the fuel tank anymore.

01-31-2009, 07:08 PM	#8
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	I just snapped a picture under mine (mine's in the garage, so no snow to deal with). Are you missing the nut in the middle of the picture, or are you missing one of the clips that holds the shield to the flange of the tank?

01-31-2009, 11:11 PM	#10
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	Looks like I am missing the nut in the middle and one of the plastic clips. Plus it looks like mine is pretty bent up. :(

02-01-2009, 03:51 AM	#11
GeneralDon7 View User's Garage Drives: Yaris Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 221	I would say its that piece rattling against the tank or underbody, must have been a good hole.

02-01-2009, 02:37 PM	#13
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	Tank isn't damaged as mine looks like its made from heavy duty plastic. I'm just worried that it's going to fall off and have to pay for a new one lol. I will try placing a washer and nut on and see if that helps. Today the snow is melting so I will try and get a better picture of what I am talking about.

02-04-2009, 05:57 PM	#14
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	Just as an update I did go to the dealer and they said it looked like I must have hit a big chunk of ice as there was no visible damage as to why it was hanging. But I can now report that there is no more rattling and everything is quiet again! :)

02-04-2009, 06:10 PM	#15
marcus toyota View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris RS Blazed Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: toronto, canada Posts: 3,637	nice to hear!!! now get some exhaust so you dont have to worry about other noises..lolz..