Planned obsolescence?? NOT a tractor

JDemaris · Nov 1, 2014

My gas tank started leaking in my 2001 Chevy Tracker. I'm pretty much amazed that I cannot seem to buy a new gas tank anywhere. Not from GM, not from Suzuki (who made it), and not aftermarket. This is the newest vehicle my family owns. I can buy a brand new tank for my 1988 Toyota Minicruiser from many places cheap, but not for this 2001 Tracker?

To make it even worse -I got searching for used tanks and found out it's illegal to ship a used gas tank. So - being here in northern Michigan - I'm limited to buying some rusty tank that is within driving distance.

So I can buy a brand new gas tank for my 1918 Ford Model T (for $150) or a new tank for my 1988 Toyota (for $120) but nothing for this "modern" 2001 Chevy/Suzuki Tracker. Weird. This Tracker has a 2.5 V6, 4WD and it's a four door that I guess, makes it "special."

Also found out there are many parts on my 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan AWD that are also not available OEM or aftermarket. I cannot even buy a rear driveshaft support for it!

I guess I should be amazed so many parts are availble for our much-older tractors.

Andy Appelfeller · Nov 1, 2014

Call Brimm's imports in Kenton Ohio. They are one of the largest import used part supplies in the US. They are an hour and a half straight south of Toledo.

JD2ACWD · Nov 1, 2014

try autopartswarehouse.com

TomA in CA · Nov 1, 2014

As a rule of thumb I feel all vehicles after year 2000 are money pits or throwaway. The newest we have is a 2000 Subaru. I am expecting it to die from some electrical problem deep in the dash someday. Early '90's have been the performers for me.

JDemaris · Nov 1, 2014

I was a die-hard Subaru fan from the 70s to the 90s. Then I got a 2002 Impreza and it was an absolute, poorly designed piece of junk. No more Subarus for me. In reality - they have nothing special to offer anymore anyway. At one time a 4WD or AWD car was a rarity. Even more so if it had a hi-low range transfercase.

My 2001 Chevy (Suzuki) Tracker has 282,000 miles on it and the engine and trans have never been worked on other then maintenance. That is pretty amazing! I never got a Subaru past 150,000 miles without it becoming an oil-burner, losing wheel bearings, driveshafts, etc.

acken fromwisc · Nov 1, 2014

Try LKQ, 1-800-962-2277, three places in Mich.

Sean Feeney · Nov 1, 2014

same here
link

JOCCO · Nov 1, 2014

JD I share your fustrations that you can get a part for a 1975 truck but one say 8 years old you can't.

BillOHIO · Nov 1, 2014

Try www.car-part.com

You can search by entering your vehicle, part needed, area where you are located, etc.

I looked on 2001 Tracker and found lots of used fuel tanks. Of course as you said it would have to be within your area because of not being able to ship used tank. Maybe if you care to look you could find one within driving distance where you have not already checked.

Good luck, Bill

BushogPapa · Nov 1, 2014

Take it out and have it repaired if you can repair it..

Ron.

BillOHIO · Nov 1, 2014

Also, do you have a part number for a new tank ? Even though it is NLA I have some sources to check for new old stock. Of course with your rare unit it would be rare to find one. Still worth a try to check if you have the part #. The GM part number would be best to track.

john in la · Nov 1, 2014

That tank was only used for 4 years (2001 to 2004) and only in the Tracker.

Like that's gona be a easy piece to find new.

It is not illegal to ship used tanks but it cost more. You just need to jump threw all the hoops because it is considered hazardous materials.
Places like UPS and Fed-Ex parcel can not legally haul it.

The tank needs to be washed out;
Secured to a pallet;
Labeled with flammable labels;
The BOL filled out with the proper UN #; "Last contained Gasoline" ect ect.......
And hauled by a licensed haz-mat hauler such as one of the LTL lines.

If you find a used tank; can get them to wash it out and strap it to a pallet; your local LTL terminal could help you fill out the proper BOL they will then fax to the P/U terminal.

ss55 · Nov 1, 2014

Auto repair shops used to reseal steel gas tanks by applying a heavy sealer to the outside of the tank. You could also buy the do-it-yourself kits. I don't know if they are still available.

My last vehicle with a steel fuel tank (besides motorcycles) was an '86 Ford F-150 pickup. It had dual tanks, so I only used the rear tank as the front one leaked.

JDemaris · Nov 1, 2014

Been there already. I called several places that had tanks and all said the tanks cannot be shipped.

SDE · Nov 1, 2014

If you check out used car parts dot com, you may be able to find a yard that you can drive to. I found a yard that was close to the freeway as I drove to Il., Two weeks ago.
SDE

Rich_WI · Nov 1, 2014

I found them listed as new from places that others mentioned like Auto Parts Warehouse as well as others.

If you dont want to buy any of those, do a search on craigslist nationwide, bunch of them out there. While not close, seems a popular vehicle in the Detroit area with several sellers of parts there.

I have no doubt that if I can find that many new and used tanks in about 3 minutes of googling, Im sure a few minutes on the phone talking to private sellers will find somebody willing to ship one. Businesses likely wont because of time and having to pay someone by the hour but private parties will do things like that just to make the sale.

If all else fails (it wont but just for the sake of argument), put in a generic aluminum boat tank and never worry about it again.

CenTex Farmall · Nov 1, 2014

I'm afraid this is what's going to happen with all the compact tractors they sell these days.

Lou from Wi. · Nov 1, 2014

JD,
A quick search we found a couple spots, ones a little pricey,but it's available. Link is to one, and below is the internet link to the other. Hope it helps.
LOU

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_parts/fuel_tank/chevy/tracker.html
poke here

IH2444 · Nov 1, 2014

found one.

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/productS...cessory=0&isPerformance=0&searchTerm=

JDemaris · Nov 2, 2014

Lou - I went to that link you posted. It shows two tanks for Chevy Trackers and neither is for a 2001 four-door Tracker with 4WD and a 2.5 V6.

Planned obsolescence?? NOT a tractor

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