Leaky fuel tank?

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Yo. So I've checked under the vanwithout lowering fuel tank & had a good feel around - nothing I could find. Parked it facing up a steep slope - nothing. Parked it facing down a steep slope. Hello petrol on passenger side. Had another grope around and there appears to be a hose running between the two expansion tanks which isn't connected to the near side expansion tank where the fuel is dripping from. I'm guessing from this 1) don't overfill until sorted 2) don't park on a steep hill 3) drop the tank and replace hoses.

Another helpful member has done a diagram a few posts up on the forum about fuel hose replacement. In that, the piece that I think is missing is a T shaped piece that joins the expansion tanks and the main tank. Can this be bought from JK and what's it called?

And finally, do you wonderful people think the van is safe to take away this weekend until i have the time & space to do it next weekend - or am I going to have to go in my boring Yaris?

Thank u all so so much. x

[Cruz]

iirc the t piece is obsolete. It came as two t-pieces with a lenght of fuel line between them. Are you sure you are missing one as both t-pieces are just secured into the top of the tank with a rubber grommet.

Place a wanted ad maybe?

[liliball]

Regarding the T-piece, Halfords do various sizes of T and Y connectors, may be worth having a look.

[Cruz]

Regarding the T-piece, Halfords do various sizes of T and Y connectors, may be worth having a look.

They have an angled section on the end of the T leg that secures in the grommets when pushed in

[Doctor Foster]

Can you reach over both sides and check that the thick black rigid connecting pipe (In pic) hasnt popped off one of the t pieces? common problem.

[StuM]

I said I'd post back to confirm what my problem was, so here it is..

Dropped the tank out yesterday and discovered that not one, but both bottom hoses from the OS expansion tank were disconnected at the tank end - and were severely perished. I also checked the filler neck which revealed that the rubber connector at the top was also in a sorry state. So, whilst the tank's down and out, I'm going to replace all the hoses and the rubber neck. Only problem is that I can't shift the three screws behind the petrol cap - any ideas how I might get them out? Thanks.

The tank itself looked in ok condition. Some signs of corrosion in places, but nothing that looked too bad, so I'll rub it down, repaint and reinstall.

Cheers,
Stu

[Doctor Foster]

I said I'd post back to confirm what my problem was, so here it is..

Dropped the tank out yesterday and discovered that not one, but both bottom hoses from the OS expansion tank were disconnected at the tank end - and were severely perished. I also checked the filler neck which revealed that the rubber connector at the top was also in a sorry state. So, whilst the tank's down and out, I'm going to replace all the hoses and the rubber neck. Only problem is that I can't shift the three screws behind the petrol cap - any ideas how I might get them out? Thanks.

The tank itself looked in ok condition. Some signs of corrosion in places, but nothing that looked too bad, so I'll rub it down, repaint and reinstall.

Cheers,
Stu

Ah the three screws that hold the petrol cap housing on. That was the hardest part I found. I persevered with it and they eventually came off. I guess a good soaking of some lubricant is the key though the screw heads on ours were full of rusted crap.

[StuM]

Thanks.. liberal Plus Gas application to follow...!

[mike_gee32]

Order a new filler piece and retaining ring from JK or Brickwerks then drill the old screws out, it's likely that the top rubber part will need replacing as well anyway.

[ghost123uk]

and would it actually be safe to drive the fuel level down over the weekend?

Lots of folk have had this problem and have driven their vans around until it got fixed.

If it was me, I woulkd drive is off

An aside that comes to mind, we should have a poll to find out how many folks on here have a fire extinguisher on board. (EVERYONE should have one !!!!)

[StuM]

Order a new filler piece and retaining ring from JK or Brickwerks then drill the old screws out, it's likely that the top rubber part will need replacing as well anyway.

Thanks Mike, I'll do that.

[tannera34]

Given the non connection of the pipe onto the expansion tank, I would suspect that the tank has been dropped in the past and not reassembled correctly.

It is impossible to get the breather pipes back onto the tank without putting the grommets in first and they may have just given up as they are NOT visible from the outside. You cannot fit the pipes with the tank dropped either. This leaves holes the size of 50 pence pieces open at the top of the tank and these would spill going down hill or when filled to the top given the design. Given your symptoms this seems very likely (they were the same as ours), It is possible to check without dropping the tank see my other post today about my similar experience and how to check and cure it.

[StuM]

Thanks.

Actually, on mine, the expansion tank hoses had gone so hard/split/perished at both ends that it was impossible to push them on so that they stayed put. Am I right to say that these connections are just push fit and don't use hose clamps?

[Doctor Foster]

It is possible to check by hand that all relevant pipes are and grommets are connected/seated correctly. Arm over the front wheels and have a good feel around.

You can see the fuel filler seal on the tank from the wheel arch too

[liliball]

Thanks.

Actually, on mine, the expansion tank hoses had gone so hard/split/perished at both ends that it was impossible to push them on so that they stayed put. Am I right to say that these connections are just push fit and don't use hose clamps?

You're right, they just push on to the rigid vent pipes, no clips or clamps.