Spectra Premium Tank Crack

[mike23109]

About 18 months ago I bought a Spectra Premium gas tank (with internal fuel pump) for my 1970 Chevelle. Once I received it I swapped out the fuel pump for a more powerful Walbro unit. All is well until I started smelling a lot of gasoline. I inspected my tank this weekend and noticed it was leaking where the filler neck meets the tank. I pulled it out last night (of course the tank was full) and noticed a crack about 1 1/2" long.

I called Spectra Premium and learned the tank was in warranty. I only wanted the tank replaced, not the pump. I was told I had to send everything back. I told them I upgraded the pump. That's when I learned that by changing the pump I voided the warranty and was out of luck.

Has anyone else experienced the cracking problem? The cost to repair is only $125 but it's the principle of the thing. Doesn't anyone stand behind their products anymore. How does swapping out a pump effect a manufacturing defect??????

[Fluid Power]

I understand your frustration. However, is it fair for the manufacturer to warranty something that was modified? While I agree that it is probably a manufacturing defect, how is the manufacturer supposed to know that it did not get damaged during modification? Show me any manufacturer in any industry that will allow you to take apart their product, modify it, and warranty it when it breaks. It just doesn't happen.

Good luck getting it fixed and make sure you leave the room when the dude goes to weld it up!

Darren

[rwhite692]

Why on earth would you mention that you swapped out the pump?

Anyway...You could just put the original supplied pump back in, try calling them up again in a few days, chances are you will be speaking to a different person....don't mention the (irrelevant) swapping of the pump, and things will go fine with getting it replaced under warranty.

If you still find yourself stuck you should be able to find a local shop that can properly purge out the tank and weld it up for you.

[ProTouring442]

Originally Posted by Fluid Power

Show me any manufacturer in any industry that will allow you to take apart their product, modify it, and warranty it when it breaks. It just doesn't happen.

Chevrolet
Buick
Cadillac
GMC
Ford
Mercury
Lincoln
Toyota
Lexus
Nissan
Infinity
Honda
Acura
Mercedes
BMW
Ferrari
Alfa Romeo
Etc
Etc
Etc

In all of the above cases, a modification has to be the proven cause of a malfunction for the manufacturer to deny a warranty claim. I do not see how installing a fuel pump into a fuel tank voids the warranty. That's about like saying that installing new batteries into your camera voids its warranty. The tank and the fuel pump are not one unit.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[ArisESQ]

Originally Posted by ProTouring442

Chevrolet
Buick
Cadillac
GMC
Ford
Mercury
Lincoln
Toyota
Lexus
Nissan
Infinity
Honda
Acura
Mercedes
BMW
Ferrari
Alfa Romeo
Etc
Etc
Etc

In all of the above cases, a modification has to be the proven cause of a malfunction for the manufacturer to deny a warranty claim. I do not see how installing a fuel pump into a fuel tank voids the warranty. That's about like saying that installing new batteries into your camera voids its warranty. The tank and the fuel pump are not one unit.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

Chevy refused to cover the warranty on my vette for anything related to the fuel system when they learned that I had changed the fuel pump and filter myself.
- I should also clarify; I replaced the stock C5 pump with a C6 Z06 pump, which is a nearly identical version with higher output.

Late C5 Z06 have an in tank fuel filter as a result of evaporative emissions requirements. The models one year older had an external filter which was easily changed.

In any case, it really pissed me off.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but most manufacturers do everything they can to weasel out of liability.

[CreepinDeth]

Originally Posted by Fluid Power

I understand your frustration. However, is it fair for the manufacturer to warranty something that was modified? While I agree that it is probably a manufacturing defect, how is the manufacturer supposed to know that it did not get damaged during modification? Show me any manufacturer in any industry that will allow you to take apart their product, modify it, and warranty it when it breaks. It just doesn't happen.

I totally agree with this,

HOWEVER.......in this case scenario, the internal pump has nothing to do with a weld around a filler neck.
I'd pursue the issue and put the original in tank pump back in or take it out.

Either way, the pump has nothing to do with welds around a totally different section.
If they pull the "Modification" BS way out of honoring their warranty,
I'd file a complaint against the company with the Chamber of Commerce and Attorney General of that area.
The BBB is worthless.

[Fluid Power]

Really Bill?

Throw a set of headers and a new exhaust on any of those vehicles and then go to the dealership for an engine warranty claim. They wouldn't fix my truck under warranty for that reason.


I understand the pump has no effect on the welding of the tank. My point was, the manufacturer has to draw the line somewhere.

I agree Creepin, just trying to make a point. Get it purged and welded and be done with it.

Darren

[Vegas69]

Let's not turn this site into a bitchfest like so many. If I had a dime for every $100 bill that got ate up building this car because of someone or some company. Well, I'd be a little better off. They should've fixed it but life goes on.

[skatinjay27]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Let's not turn this site into a bitchfest like so many. If I had a dime for every $100 bill that got ate up building this car because of someone or some company. Well, I'd be a little better off. They should've fixed it but life goes on.

LOL you damn pric*

[Fluid Power]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Let's not turn this site into a bitchfest like so many. If I had a dime for every $100 bill that got ate up building this car because of someone or some company. Well, I'd be a little better off. They should've fixed it but life goes on.

I'm done.

Darren