LW200 Fuel tank strap rusted & snapped

PaulGraz · 11-29-2022, 04:16 PM

So my 01 LW200 with over 280K miles on it is parked - the fuel tank strap on the passenger side is hanging down scraping the ground. :-(

My wife just wants me to get rid of the car. We don't really *NEED* it and it certainly owes me nothing, as it's been very reliable for most of it's life. But the damn thing still runs great - I just hate to scrap it. And I can't really sell it as is because it's not safe to drive with the fuel tank ready to fall off!

I want to just replace the straps, but I know fighting the rust is going to make it a difficult job. How many cans of PB Blaster will I need to get the old bolts off?

I see replacements are available - Dorman 578-501 - about $80 from RockAuto

Does anyone know if they include new bolts with these? I'm guessing probably not and there's no way I'll be able to re-use the existing bolts.

pierrot · 12-01-2022, 03:05 AM

One thing which could prove useful comes from comparing the OEM catalog to the RockAuto catalog. The OEM catalog shows that the straps are the same part number from 2000 to 2005 regardless of tank capacity (which changed in 2001 and remained the same until the end of the L-Series production run). With that in mind then the mounting bolts should be the same for all six production years. Can you get to a wrecking yard and pick up the bolts from one?

rfisher · 12-01-2022, 09:19 AM

hi sages- never did this on a saturn, but did on a 62 chevrolet and later on a 77 dodge. got straps and bolts both times from a junk yard and did it myself. shysters wanted $200 for job. figure the dollar will never drop in value as low as some crumbs will stoop for it . keep your eyes moving and your brain working at all times. regards bob f

PaulGraz · 12-01-2022, 12:52 PM

Well, I figured if I'm going to do the job, I'm not going to use pre-rusted straps - so I'll pay Dorman the ridiculous price of $80 for the pair of straps.

I did write to Dorman's "technical support" people and they confirmed that bolts are not included. Just seems kinda dumb to not include them - but hopefully they are a standard size that I can easily match from Lowes.

But now it's super cold, so I'm hoping for another warm day here in NJ

11-29-2022, 04:16 PM	#1
PaulGraz Advanced Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Howell, NJ Posts: 537 PaulGraz's Photos 2001 L-Series 2.2L Wagon	LW200 Fuel tank strap rusted & snapped So my 01 LW200 with over 280K miles on it is parked - the fuel tank strap on the passenger side is hanging down scraping the ground. :-( My wife just wants me to get rid of the car. We don't really NEED it and it certainly owes me nothing, as it's been very reliable for most of it's life. But the damn thing still runs great - I just hate to scrap it. And I can't really sell it as is because it's not safe to drive with the fuel tank ready to fall off! I want to just replace the straps, but I know fighting the rust is going to make it a difficult job. How many cans of PB Blaster will I need to get the old bolts off? I see replacements are available - Dorman 578-501 - about $80 from RockAuto Does anyone know if they include new bolts with these? I'm guessing probably not and there's no way I'll be able to re-use the existing bolts. ... ---- ~Paul 2001 LW200 (4th saturn owned) 281,724 Miles! 71 Volvo 1800E, 73 Volvo 1800ES, 08 Volvo C30, 11 Volvo V50 Gone on to other owners: 92 SL2, 95 SW2, 96 SC2

12-01-2022, 03:05 AM	#2
pierrot Master Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 4,145 pierrot's Photos 2000 L-Series 2.2L Sedan	Re: LW200 Fuel tank strap rusted & snapped One thing which could prove useful comes from comparing the OEM catalog to the RockAuto catalog. The OEM catalog shows that the straps are the same part number from 2000 to 2005 regardless of tank capacity (which changed in 2001 and remained the same until the end of the L-Series production run). With that in mind then the mounting bolts should be the same for all six production years. Can you get to a wrecking yard and pick up the bolts from one? ... 395K miles (engine replaced @ 375K). Biden/Harris predictions, '21 -'25: weak economy; weaker military; more terrorism; emboldened RED CHINA. Sadly, B & H are proving me correct.

12-01-2022, 09:19 AM	#3
rfisher Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 348	Re: LW200 Fuel tank strap rusted & snapped hi sages- never did this on a saturn, but did on a 62 chevrolet and later on a 77 dodge. got straps and bolts both times from a junk yard and did it myself. shysters wanted $200 for job. figure the dollar will never drop in value as low as some crumbs will stoop for it . keep your eyes moving and your brain working at all times. regards bob f

12-01-2022, 12:52 PM	#4
PaulGraz Advanced Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Howell, NJ Posts: 537 PaulGraz's Photos 2001 L-Series 2.2L Wagon	Re: LW200 Fuel tank strap rusted & snapped Well, I figured if I'm going to do the job, I'm not going to use pre-rusted straps - so I'll pay Dorman the ridiculous price of $80 for the pair of straps. I did write to Dorman's "technical support" people and they confirmed that bolts are not included. Just seems kinda dumb to not include them - but hopefully they are a standard size that I can easily match from Lowes. But now it's super cold, so I'm hoping for another warm day here in NJ ... ---- ~Paul 2001 LW200 (4th saturn owned) 281,724 Miles! 71 Volvo 1800E, 73 Volvo 1800ES, 08 Volvo C30, 11 Volvo V50 Gone on to other owners: 92 SL2, 95 SW2, 96 SC2

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