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New member - Fuel tank issues
Hello, all! I'm not fully sure where this should all go, but I'm getting a Festiva in a 'couple' of days. Here's the backstory:
I found a Festiva for sale for $750 O.B.O. fairly locally and we went out to look at it (1990 Auto, didn't think to see if it was an L or L Plus, had A/C). It felt like it rode pretty well, all things considering, and it being our first time in a Festiva (rode like a go-cart, fairly bumpy, on a country back-road, but pretty fun). There were only two areas of rust I could find: one small spot by the rear window on the hatch, and the driver side skirt was just starting. Underside looked pretty clean, engine looked very clean, odometer read 182,000. We made a deal for weekly payments, made a down-payment, and went from there.
The person we're buying it from called a few days later and said "Deal's off, as the gas is leaking pretty quickly, and it's not as you saw it. Fuel line is rusted."
Took me a few days to get back in touch with him (as I really, really did want this adorable little Festiva) and immediately he said "I'll take less as it sits, if you still want it." So we made a new deal, I'll be making my final payment this Friday. Then we'll figure out how to get it here.
So here's the problem: After talking to him for a bit, it was hard to tell if he meant the fuel line or the gas tank was rusting. But what it seems he's saying is, the area where the gas tank connects to the fuel line is what's rusting (might be sending unit, as a local mechanic I talked to said, but I do not know). What I'm wondering is, depending on which of the two it is, what would be the best way to go about repairing it? Is it something that can be welded (is it worth the money to weld it), or should I go the new tank route? I'll still be needing a fuel line either way, as he keeps saying that will need to be replaced. Where can I find a fuel line? I've searched all over the Internet, called several places, even called a few junk yards. No dice. To what I can tell, and as y'all would know, Ford stopped making the part.
This will be our (my mom and I) first Festiva, and MY first car. I've been looking at Festivas for quite a while, love seeing them driving around, putt-putt-putting along, and have (for atleast the last two years) really wanted one. After reading this forum for a while, I see they truly are awesome little cars.
To what I know, the Festiva has newish brakes, new-used tires, 13-inch rims and new plugs/wires/ect. Annnd, it's RED! Aren't they all?
And no worries to those who might ask: I'll be posting pictures once I own it.
That's all for now.
Thanks for any help!
~Spike
I found a Festiva for sale for $750 O.B.O. fairly locally and we went out to look at it (1990 Auto, didn't think to see if it was an L or L Plus, had A/C). It felt like it rode pretty well, all things considering, and it being our first time in a Festiva (rode like a go-cart, fairly bumpy, on a country back-road, but pretty fun). There were only two areas of rust I could find: one small spot by the rear window on the hatch, and the driver side skirt was just starting. Underside looked pretty clean, engine looked very clean, odometer read 182,000. We made a deal for weekly payments, made a down-payment, and went from there.
The person we're buying it from called a few days later and said "Deal's off, as the gas is leaking pretty quickly, and it's not as you saw it. Fuel line is rusted."
Took me a few days to get back in touch with him (as I really, really did want this adorable little Festiva) and immediately he said "I'll take less as it sits, if you still want it." So we made a new deal, I'll be making my final payment this Friday. Then we'll figure out how to get it here.
So here's the problem: After talking to him for a bit, it was hard to tell if he meant the fuel line or the gas tank was rusting. But what it seems he's saying is, the area where the gas tank connects to the fuel line is what's rusting (might be sending unit, as a local mechanic I talked to said, but I do not know). What I'm wondering is, depending on which of the two it is, what would be the best way to go about repairing it? Is it something that can be welded (is it worth the money to weld it), or should I go the new tank route? I'll still be needing a fuel line either way, as he keeps saying that will need to be replaced. Where can I find a fuel line? I've searched all over the Internet, called several places, even called a few junk yards. No dice. To what I can tell, and as y'all would know, Ford stopped making the part.
This will be our (my mom and I) first Festiva, and MY first car. I've been looking at Festivas for quite a while, love seeing them driving around, putt-putt-putting along, and have (for atleast the last two years) really wanted one. After reading this forum for a while, I see they truly are awesome little cars.
To what I know, the Festiva has newish brakes, new-used tires, 13-inch rims and new plugs/wires/ect. Annnd, it's RED! Aren't they all?
And no worries to those who might ask: I'll be posting pictures once I own it.
That's all for now.
Thanks for any help!
~Spike
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