Total Newb Question.
I purchased a 03 g35 coupe a few months back. It had a hint of gas smell at first... One day while filling up at about half a tank, I noticed gas leaking on the passenger side..... So I replaced the fuel pump gasket( DAMN That Seat was a pia!!) As I was put it back together, I found one of the retaining rings bolts/screws was not tightening down to hot. So my question is. Anyway to fix with out dropping the tank ?? Maybe a longer bolt or one just a C-hair bigger diameter then the stock bolt ? Also I noticed they had 3 washer stacked on the mounting rig, is that right ?? Also I have spent the weekend searching not to much found but dropping the tank or recall stuff...

Thanks
Freaky

 

I've fixed gas tank flanges before but you need to remove the tank and fill it with water while drilling. Normally those bolt holes are just punched and tapped and you can easily just tap it one size larger. I haven't taken the tank off a G35 but it should be pretty straightforward, drop the propeller shaft and anything else in the way and unbolt it. They usually aren't too hard to remove but make sure the tank is on empty (or nearly empty). The easiest way to do this without driving the vehicle is to use the schrader valve with a hose adapter and fill a few fuel tanks, it takes about a half hour with this method, unfortunately the G doesn't have one stock so you'll have to get one of the sandwich adapters for the fuel damper, Z1 sells them, they're pretty cheap.

 

Sounds like someone else had the pump out and lost some of the screws because it didn't come with stacked washers. When dropped and the screw rolls under the body work you can kiss them goodbye. The OEM screw has a captive washer and are pretty short. If you use a longer screw it will bottom out and that may be how one got stripped. If you have the necessary drills and taps it may be possible to go to the next standard size which may not be metric. If you do not have experience and the tools for this I suggest finding someone who does. You don't want to screw up the seal or it could mean a new tank.
Another approach if it is stripped would be to clean the hole out with an electrical spray and epoxy (JB Weld) a stud into the hole. Make sure the hole and stud is super clean and left to dry over night before using the epoxy and then let it set another day before assembly. If you use this approach just snug up the nut during assembly because it isn't going to hold much torque before pulling out.

 

I just recently replaced my fuel pump and when I tried to tighten the stock bolts down they were acting as if they were stripped for some reason. So I went and got some bolts that were as close as I could get to the originals, and some RTV silicone instant gasket(oil resistant). I used some of the RTV and snugged the bolts down enough to create a good deal and not to strip the new bolts. So far no more leaks. Just make sure if you do that you don’t get any of the silicone in the gas tank, and allow it to set before driving/filling up. Hope this helps.

 

RTV shouldn't be used because silicone is not gasoline resistant, use Motoseal, Permashield, or Form-A-Gasket.

 

Yeah sorry that’s what I meant, I just had RTV on the brain from another project haha

 

Right on guy's thanks for the input. Had a guy tell me to wrap the bolt with tape and give a little tug. I am going to start with the soft tug, maybe see how it fits. Then Motoseal and pretty much on to the next one of the others suggestions. If no success on to dropping the tank...