My husband's elderly friend had a 1998 Buick LeSabre Custom that was his wife's car. His wife passed away, and the car sat for four years until it was driven for about a year by a girlfriend. It had not moved since approx. 2010 (the years the tabs expired), and was covered in tarp after tarp. 42,000 miles. We took it to elderly friend's longtime mechanic shop, despite it being ~20 miles away from us. We had the car towed there, and they initially said $2,700 to get it running. Over the course of 3-4 weeks, the bill ballooned to $5,200. One thing that was not included in the initial quote which seemed like an obvious need was a new fuel tank, as it was not emptied prior to being stored.

under the hood

The work related to the fuel tank completed by 04/23/24:

• GM Genuine parts electric fuel pump - $16.58
  
• Fuel tank (new) - $341.54
  
• Delphi fuel tank sender assembly - $299.62
  
• Fuel tank - $404.93 (even though this is listed under parts, I'm assuming it's the labor)
  

Within a week or so, we filled up the gas tank (it was around a half tank). Smelled fuel in and around the car. We took it back to the same shop, and they said there was fuel all over the top of the tank, and that we need new hoses. Initially they quoted $700, but dropped it to $330 without us asking (we were ready for a fight - if it needed new hoses, why wasn't that changed along with the new tank, etc.)

Fuel smell seems to have subsided. Saturday, took a longer trip and filled up when the tank was about half full. As soon as it reached the "click" and the pump stopped automatically, I hear a sound and see gas pouring out from under the car, from four different spots (see photos). We are going to drop off the car again, as this situation is dangerous and untenable. But I'm afraid they are going to ask for more money. Could it be the connections?

***** What else would cause a new tank to leak? *****

Shouldn't this problem be covered by the work already completed? Or will I get a new bill?

Any more questions or pictures, please ask.

Thanks in advance for any assistance. I have the 3-volume service manuals, and I see that replacing the fuel tank is a delicate operation. We feel like maybe the hoses were damaged by the mechanics. They said they tested everything and it was fine. So why would they have failed ("disintegrated") within a week?

immediately after fueling

please note that I did NOT overfill the tank

leaks in four places