PDA

View Full Version : My latest adventure (stereo install)



ridinclean
10-15-2005, 09:46 AM
Well well well where should I start. About 2 weeks ago I had an alarm installed with remote start and a new panasonic head unit, both of which I am very very pleased with. No issues with either of them, I will try to post pics of the head unit on here when I get the chance.

So I ordered a kicker amp and 2 12 inch L7's and new kenwood 6X8's to upgrade the stock speakers. I took it to the same place that installed my alarm and head unit due to them having a pretty good reputation and my family never having any problems with them before. So they install everything with a new box they had and I was actually pretty pleased with the install. It hits pretty hard, but not too much. Its actually starting to rattle a bit so I may have to dynamat my trunk.

Now to the fun part...:shake: I had about a little over a quarter of a tank of gas once the install was complete. Drove it, 2 days later (yesterday) I go to fill her up, spend about $50. Then as Im driving home I notice a gasoline smell. I pull over pop the hood, dont smell anything there look under the car and theres nothing leaking. At this point I notice that my gas gauge is going down. I have driven a total of 8 miles since filling up and Im suddenly at 3/4 a tank!!!! To make a long story short they drilled the amp/power cap into the wall in my trunk and punctured my gas tank!! Now the interior of my car no longer has the nice marauder leather smell, but rather 93 octane...I took it up there this morning and they admitted that they were concerned this would happen. They even used smaller screws to try to avoid it. Why not just mount it somewhere else?? This isnt just some hole in the wall place. They have been there for as long as I can remember, I dont know why they didnt know better. As they were looking at it, we noticed gas dripping from underneath the car now. So the owner is keeping my car there in the shop and he will personally drive it to this nearby mechanic that he uses. They will have to empty/drop the gas tank, and then determine if it needs to be patched or replaced. Hopefully it will be replaced, i dont want my car rigged up. Does anyone know if the Marauder gas tank is identical to that of a Grand Marquis??

They apologized and apologized and apologized and said they would make it right. Now Im inconvenienced once again for at least a few days. I have the worst luck with cars, I swear.

MarauderMarc
10-15-2005, 10:05 AM
My wife has a 2003 GM and had the same exact thing happen to her. Do not let them patch it, you need a new one. You should also have them pay to get the smell out of the car. As for the gas tank being the same, I believe they are on GMs 03 and up. Good luck.

Dave Compson
10-15-2005, 10:28 AM
'take it to a mechanic he knows'??? To heck with that! I would insist on the dealer doing the repair. The repair is REPLACE THE TANK! Dont let him drive the car around in its present condition. It has explosive fumes running around inside of the car and could blow up! This happened to a couple of my work cars, they had them towed to the dealer and the tanks were replaced. It is a safety hazzard! It was their fault they drilled into the tank, i would insist the repair be done the correct way. Not patching..

WolfeBros
10-15-2005, 11:27 AM
I agree with Dave. Letting those morons keep and drive your car is asking for trouble. I can see that guy parking it inside his shop and causing an explosion.
It needs to be replaced not patched. If it was my car I would take it to the dealer and send the bozo at the radio shop the bill. :rolleyes:

RCSignals
10-15-2005, 05:21 PM
This sort of thing is one of the reasons why there have been problems with Police vehicles. Improperly installed equipment, screws pointing at fuel tank or holes drilled.

A shop that does this sort of install should be looking at what is behind where they want to drill!

Do not settle for anything less than a new tank, and have a Ford dealer install it!
This is a safety issue.

Then get a trunk electrical equipment tray, which is made for this sort of thing, or have them use the metal dividing the rear seat back from the trunk.

RoyLPita
10-15-2005, 05:36 PM
'take it to a mechanic he knows'??? To heck with that! I would insist on the dealer doing the repair. The repair is REPLACE THE TANK! Dont let him drive the car around in its present condition. It has explosive fumes running around inside of the car and could blow up! This happened to a couple of my work cars, they had them towed to the dealer and the tanks were replaced. It is a safety hazzard! It was their fault they drilled into the tank, i would insist the repair be done the correct way. Not patching..

What Dave said. BTW, what is done at the dealer is covered for 12 months or 12000 miles, whichever comes first. I believe it could be a 3-3 1/2 hour job because after removing the bolts that hold the tank straps in, they are a pain in the neck to reinstall. I should know, it turned out be a 2 person job just to bolt mine back in after my fuel sender was replaced. Also, see about billing them for the gas, too.

ridinclean
10-16-2005, 08:09 PM
Not good quality, I took these with my phone but here is what it looks like

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/fnolimit504/Photo_215.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/fnolimit504/Photo_214.jpg

FordNut
10-16-2005, 08:17 PM
What Dave said. BTW, what is done at the dealer is covered for 12 months or 12000 miles, whichever comes first. I believe it could be a 3-3 1/2 hour job because after removing the bolts that hold the tank straps in, they are a pain in the neck to reinstall. I should know, it turned out be a 2 person job just to bolt mine back in after my fuel sender was replaced. Also, see about billing them for the gas, too.
When my tank was dropped for fuel pump replacement/upgrade they replaced the OEM bolts with longer ones. No problem getting the strap back on now.

Rider90
10-16-2005, 08:23 PM
Theres a fuel tank behind your amp. I hope those bolts are shallow...