water in fuel

[liamd]

Hi all,

on a rainy day like today i am getting water in my fuel- especially when parked up hill!

i had read that the filler neck is prone to leak but can’t see any obvious area where water can creep in- does anyone have any tips on where exactly to look for water point of entry.

i also have a wireless scope type camera and have been considering trying to have a look on the top of the tank to see if it’s rusted through, again is there an optimal entry point to see the valley detail on the tank / areas i should focus on first.

don’t want to put a new tank on if it’s just a poorly sealed inlet...

thoughts appreciated...

Liam

[Mocki]

The actual filler neck could well have tiny pin holes if it’s old style metal one ( early van up to ‘85)
But the main point of issue is nearly always the filler neck seals , top and bottom, mostly the one at the actual filler hole in the wheel arch , perished old rubber lets water through .
Top of the tank should be relatively easy to get at with the endoscope , easiest from the rear of the tank, but fairly easy from the front , drop the spare wheel and climb up and look where the gear linkages go .
You will see the wet , it’s normally dusty up there !

The breather pipes to the breather tanks in the wheel arches are a problem area too, but so small you won’t get loads in there I wouldn’t think

[liamd]

Thanks steve,

It's a  late 1990 1.9dg- the filler neck and seals look pretty good but as it correlates so strongly with rain- I will have another look.

I will check the top of the tank when I can face climbing under into the puddles and juggling wires and screens! Good shout on getting the spare out of the way to look from the front. expansion tanks and pipework are all good I think.

Will update - your previous recommendation solved my hot start issue earlier this year so I have renewed confidence I can get to the bottom of this...

thanks

Liam

 

[liamd]

Would you say this seal is the likely culpret?
filler neck image





unsure which specific seal that is- don’t want to end up with the one on the fuel tank end...


image added by mocki

[maxstu]

Would you say this seal is the likely culpret?
filler neck image




unsure which specific seal that is- don’t want to end up with the one on the fuel tank end...

You have corrosion attacking the sealing ring and a jubilee clip missing. Check around external filler area for rust. Or a poorly sealing fuel cap. The filler neck often lets water ingress when starting to fail. But normally only when driving in wet weather. Check the overflow tube or airlock tube under main fuel delivery pipe.

With stainless steel sealing ring...



Fuel filler surround.

[liamd]

extremely helpful... any idea where i can get a stainless steel ring?

i can see that there is a pinhole width gap above the outer filler trim which could be allowing water to get in and dribble down to where the jubilee clip should be and of course water is getting kicked up when driving too..

appreciate the pics.

L

[maxstu]

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/metal-ring ... crews.html


or.....


https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/fuel-filler-kit-t3.html



Also become a full Club8090 member and get a discount

[liamd]

Thanks- having seen the state of the OE ring i’ll defo fit the stainless one!

thanks again- i had a spare jubilee which went straight on.

[maxstu]

Well, it is a process of elimination really. Hopefully will solve issue.
The rubber trunk erodes away too. And you will need to disturb it to fit stainless steel ring. I dont think you can do it any other way.
You can buy the trunk individually too from Brickwerks, JK or B&B Components..to name a few.
Or smear a liquid gasket compound around it to seal up cracks.
Post back with results.