Q: Brake fuel lines are corroded and the car seems to be leaking gas

asked by on October 26, 2016

I think my car may be leaking gas or something. My brake/fuel lines are kind of corroded, but I literally don't have a dime. Can this be fixed by myself with some tape or spray?

My car has 199789 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Fuel is leaking from gas tank Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Brake lines are under very high pressure when your foot is on the pedal measured in the hundreds of pounds of pressure per square inch. Fuel supply lines are under pressure as well, around 40-65 PSI. The first concern is if you suspect these lines are leaking, be sure to keep away from these parts and don’t tinker with them. You could get dangerous fluids in your eyes not to mention a fire hazard if fuel is leaking. To answer your question, there is no aftermarket quick fix for leaking high pressure steel tubes.

The ONLY solution is to cut out the bad segment and replace it with new tubing. This is not an uncommon job. Once a car gets old enough, usually all the steel tubing throughout the car has to be replaced due to corrosion (there is not a single original tube on my car but my car is more than 25 years old). As noted though, it is possible in most cases to make perfectly adequate professional repairs if the damage is limited and the rest of the line is still serviceable. This can be very economic for you as well. It just depends on how much damage you have. I would encourage you to get any suspected leaks you have evaluated, particularly if fuel is leaking because such is a fire/explosion hazard. They will let you know the most cost-effective way for you to have it repaired.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Multiple error codes.
Those codes are mostly for the transmission control module. I would have a technician come out and test fuses and check voltages and look for a shorted wire. It will probably be a 20 amp fuse for the ECM. (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ecm-power-relay-replacement)...
Code p0140 we replaced 02 sensor and catalatyic converter
The vehicle should have an original equipment HO2S not aftermarket generic. For a P0140 code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0140-obd-ii-trouble-code-o2-sensor-circuit-no-activity-detected-bank-1-sensor-2-by-jay-safford), the wiring harness should be closely inspected for damage: chafing, pinches, melting, or water intrusion into connector. Exhaust leaks upstream of the HO2S must...
Truck bogs out under load
First, the EGR tube rusted away will cause excessive air to get into the exhaust and cause the O2 sensors to read erratic. The main reason you most likely have a mass air sensor that is not reading correctly for...
Car is starving for fuel at idle after warming up - 1991 Ford Mustang
Hi there. I usually start with the idle air valve in these cases, as it sounds like it might be sticking. Checking fuel supply - fuel pressure, filter, dirty injectors, as you have noted - is a good idea. You...
My car is making a humming noise when press the gas
Tires with irregular wear can cause a humming noise, just as wheel bearings or possible differential issues can. Here's a way to possible narrow it down. If the tires are making noise, they can be heard outside the vehicle. Making...
Oil change from regular oil to synthetic oil
Using the synthetic oil will not harm your motor or seals in any way as long as the oil weight is the same as recommended by manufacturer. You can keep using this oil until next oil change where you can...
My gas cap light keeps coming on. It won't click when I turn it, so I bought a new cap. New cap won't click closed either. What co
If you need a gas cap, especially if you are trying to resolve what you believe might be a cap related fault, use an OEM (dealer supplied) cap. Using a genuine OEM cap of the design supplied when the car...
I got a diagnostics back from firestone as I went to get my oil change. I was told the belts were soaked with oil from an oil leak
Hello, thank you for writing in. The belts are designed to be clean, dry, and tight. There are no products or aftermarket sealers that will keep the oil from negatively impacting the drive belt. With that being said, you may...
Hi I have a 2011 Infiniti ex35 has no leak but I just realize that the radiator bottle is empty and the coolant is low? What shoul
If your overflow coolant reservoir is getting empty you should keep the coolant full to prevent overheating the engine. The coolant may be low for a couple reasons. The first is you have a leak in the cooling system externally...

Related articles

3 Essential Things to Know About Your Car’s Gas Tank
The The gas tank of the vehicle holds the fuel, which makes the car run. The fuel is propelled by the fuel pump. The gas tank can be made out of plastic high-density polyethylene, which can be made into complex...
How to Buy a Good Quality Emergency/Parking Brake Cable
The The emergency brake is one of those car parts we often overlook and forget to use. Technically, you should engage the parking brake any time you leave your car sitting – especially on a hill. The problem with neglecting...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Fuel Pressure Regulator
Common signs include engine performance issues, fuel leaks, and black smoke coming from the exhaust.