Fuel leak when full

[Llamapup]

Hello All

My 1988 1.6 Diesel Westy appears to have a leak when the tank is full right to the top. I'm struggling to identify the leak. Are there some usual problem areas that I should look out for?

Thanks

llamapup

[Fritz]

Just a couple or three things to look at first, if it is pi$$ing out at rest/during filling in the middle of the van, could point to the top of the fuel tank being corroded, and or the fuel vent hoses being perished.
If it is smelling/ leaking towards the O/S may point to the filler neck rubber joint also being buggerd.
And finally if it leaks/smells of fuel check the vent hoses under each wheel arch ( on top of each breather tank) as they may be split beyond recognition....


Regards


Fritz,,,,,,,,,,,

[samk]

I've got the same problem - only happens when full and only happened once - I now play chicken with myself when filing up!

I was worried it would be a corroded fuel tank but the underside looks in really good condition - like it might have been replaced recently so I'm hoping it's the filler hose or something similar. Apparently it's quite a common problem

[Pepperami]

The rubber bungs the fuel vent hoses fit into perished or missing. About £3 from JK. Drop the tank and replace.

[VWCamperfan]

Samk, the underside us ususlly in pretty good nick but due to the shape of these tanks the upper side is a collecton tray for dirt and water and soon corrodes through. When I replaced mine I coated the whole tank, espicially the top, with a good coating of underseal to protect it. Should last a few years now I hope!

[Pepperami]

Mines new and it needs dropping because of this problem might hammerite it whilst its out.

[VWCamperfan]

Pep, if you're going to do that take of all the old paint first... It reacts with hammerite!

[Pepperami]

Damn. What else to use???

[dugcati]

Damn. What else to use???

A big fat lathering of waxoyl or tetraseal!

[VWCamperfan]

He! He! Yeah, that'll do it!
It's messy putting it back up mind... You may want to do the top half only first, remount the tank and then cover the lower half... Don't half save some mess when you're trying to get it up!