Fuel Tank Noise Gurgling under breaking

[DaveNQ1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveNQ1]

Gday to all.
I have been lurking for a while but just registered. I have an 04 V6 auto GXL and have been hearing an intermittent noise in the rear for a few months. It seemed to be coming from the LHSide but would come and go. I have just returned from a trip to Fraser and have come to the conclusion that the knock is in the fuel tank. When the tank is completely full i get no noise at all, but when the level gets down a bit the noise starts until i get down to the last 90 litres when it disappears again. The noise is heard on rough patches of road, braking , accelerating from lights and reversing out of the driveway over gutter. Toyota have checked all suspension components and said there is no problems. They will pull the tank out, but they are telling me they do not know what their looking for as they have not had this problem before. I know i have read about fuel tank problems before but can't remember where. Has anyone out there had this problem themselves.

Cheers and thanks in advance.
Dave

[DaveNQ1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveNQ1]

Pradogxlv6,
Thanks for the reply. The noise definately comes and goes depending on the fuel level which leads me to believe that it is not suspension related.

When the fuel level is right it is very easy to make the noise appear. My driveway is slightly inclined, and if i let the car roll slowly and then apply the handbrake the noise appears.

I am a Diesel Fitter by trade and have being underneath the car whilst my neighbour does the above.( Vehicle off of course)
I can actually feel the knock when i put my hand on the tank.(If that makes sense.)

Cheers
Dave

[Guest Close Guest]

And without bringing possible suspension knocks into it, check the 120's forum on yahoo.

It is a known fault, there is apparently a flapper door or something in the fuel tank that knocks around at low levels?
Supposedly replaced under warranty.

[DaveNQ1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveNQ1]

Team Piggy,
Thanks mate. Will do.

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

i had a fuel tank replaced because of this over 6 months ago..

the noise has come back, and the car goes in tomorrow to get another fuel tank put in.


the new tank did stop the noise the first time.. for a while anyway


i wont be happy if it comes back a 3rd time.


on another note.. the rear diff is also being replaced due to a whine at 90km/h

[Guest Close Guest]

Can you suss out what the issue is exactly with the fuel tank? and let us all know?

Eg: your kids putting marbles down the filler again! :lol:

[DaveNQ1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveNQ1]

Gents,
I will update you once i get the car in to the dealer. The fuel level was full so i am burning it back to empty before i give it to them.

Cheers

Dave

[DaveNQ1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveNQ1]

Gday,
The dealer rang me yesterday to say they have ordered a new tank for me and that it is also a recognised problem. Apparantly the noise comes from a check valve in the tank which flutters. The whole tank has to be changed as it is inbuilt. According to the dealer the tank that they replace it with is a different part number and has being changed to fix this problem.

Cheers
Dave

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Gday,
The dealer rang me yesterday to say they have ordered a new tank for me and that it is also a recognised problem. Apparantly the noise comes from a check valve in the tank which flutters. The whole tank has to be changed as it is inbuilt. According to the dealer the tank that they replace it with is a different part number and has being changed to fix this problem.

Cheers
Dave

they said that to me the 1st time around.. it happened again, and they didnt feed me the same line again..

[DaveNQ1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DaveNQ1]

Gents,
The tank was replaced yesterday and i filled to approx the same level and noise is gone for the moment. Toyota says the problem is in the tube which goes between the two tanks. Apparently it is a valve which is supposed to stop the fuel making a sloshing noise in the tube. The valve comes away, and then makes a noise itself.
Because both tanks are essentially in the one unit (if that makes sense) the whole lot comes out and is replaced. Hopefully, unlike Matt's, this will be the end of it.

Cheers
Dave.

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Update: it has happened again.. for the 4th time

The local toyota is going into bat for me to try to get it done under warranty (even tho my warranty ended last september) because the tank was put in less than 12 months ago the part has its own warranty.

fingers crossed toyota come to the party (again.. they have been fantastic, doing a starter motor for me just out of warranty late last year)

[Joe Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Joe]

Hi Matt,

I have had the same problem twice with my 2004 GXL. I'm now discussing replacement again with the local dealer and trying to get this one done under warranty. Although the car is now well out of warranty. Please let me know how you go with getting yours replaced under warranty.

Thanks
Joe

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

I had mine replaced out of the vehicle warranty. The fuel tank was still under a 12 month parts warranty.

they suspect it happens when there is fuel syphoned out of the tank. I have never done that.

my best guess is sometimes i would rock the car when filling to make sure i get all the air bubbles out of the tanks to get as much fuel in there as i can. The noise has happened after i have done that (crazy, but thats all i can put it down to)

i also think the fuel cap could be doing something funky. After you fill both tanks it should do it more often. Drive backwards a bit in a jolt, then unscrew the fuel cap. It should make the noise.

[Joe Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Joe]

Thanks Matt,

I have never syphoned my fuel tank either. The guy at Toyota told me that he has done quite a few of them and the problem is related to the valve between the two tanks that is supposed to limit noise from fuel flow between tanks. Unfortunately it fails and makes a louder noise itself! He says the valve cannot be removed, the tanks need to be replaced.

I took mine back to the dealer and they are putting in an official request to toyota for warranty. I expect they'll require further encouragement.

Joe

[thinus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close thinus]

Re: Fuel Tank Noise Gurgling under braking

Has anybody had this problem resolved? My 2003 GXL with double tanks has the same noise on braking :?:
T