How safe is really slightly dented fuel tank?

[pyrophilus]

Wife backed over a BOULDER and my '05 LE was stuck with the gas tank sitting on top of the boulder (I wasn't there). Tow truck pulled the car off, and then she took it to the same place to have it looked at on a lift. He told her that it looks okay, except for the front fuel tank strap being bent.

I was confused (how the hell does the strap get bent and tank be fine?), so I peeked under the car, and at first it seems fine (except for bent strap), but there is a very slight bend, as in the bottom of the front part of the fuel tank is slightly concave. Other's seem to notice it only after I explain it.

Question is, how safe is it now? obviously, it's not been crushed to death, and I am guessing that the fuel tank has a point of failure in terms of crushing, and that ever slight crush isn't probably near point of failure.

However, she drives our 2-year old and 5 year old to school and back daily, and now I feel kinda sick that the fuel tank might be slightly compromised.

Obviously, I don't expect anyone to tell me thumbs up, because they wouldn't want to be responsible if anything should happen, but I am wondering if I am overreacting. BTW, the guy who looked at the car for my wife is a mechanic for local LARGE Chevy dealer, and father of her student... Should I just trust him and drive around in it? I can't even imagine how expen$ive a fuel tank swap would be...

Thank you for any inputs...

-Sage

[fueler]

thumbs up from me. probably over reacting. if it was dangerous, i imagine that the mechanic would have told you so. Especially since you sort-of know the guy.

if you post a pic, maybe we can get a better idea. but i doubt anything would ever happen. if you get in an accident bad enough to puncture the tank, its gonna puncture regardless of id it has dents or not..... in my opinion.

[alexf20c]

i wouldn't worry about it.

if you saw what my gas tank skid plate and mount straps looked like, you would think yours were in mint condition. all of my straps are bent, the taps are folded over, and the skid caved in.

your wife backed over a boulder, not slammed into it at 35mph. i wouldn't worry about it.

but post pics anyway.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

From the description you've given, you needn't worry. Gas tanks can take a LOT of abuse and would need a pretty hard hit to actually puncture the metal tank. Also, I doubt any respectable dealer would let you leave their lot with a compromised gas tank.

Thumbs up from me as well.

[WINNIPEGS_MOST_WANTED]

Thumbs up from me as well.

I took a hammer and a punch to the tank on my old mustang (just 'fer fun). It took a lot before I actually managed to puncture it.

[pyrophilus]

hey guys, thanks alot.

To my wife's defense, it was snowing here this morning... But really... A BOULDER?!?!?

When weather gets drier, I'll go under the car, and take a closer look, but I thnk I'll follow the advise from this forum and just ride with it (I might replace the strap, it's only $10 from courtesy nissan).

Thanks again.

[Pwnin O'Brien]

At least there isn't much damage.

My ex got pulled over about a year ago, as she was backing up to drive away (after she got the speeding ticket) she somehow managed to back over a tree stump. She pulled the back bumper cover clean off as she tried to drive forward. The cop had to help her put the bumper in her car.