petrol leak

[foxley]

The guy(now deceased) who serviced my van had to drop my petrol tank to get at something else underneath has left me with a problem.
Providing I don't fill up more than threequarters I don't notice anything. Anything more and the fuel pours out until it reaches the point where I should have stopped filling.
Has he left something off the tank or what? It was OK before he touched it.
Also the petrol gauge seems inaccurate unlike before.
Has anyone got any suggestions so I can fix it?

Regards...Frank

[R0B]

you have either a hole in the top of your tank(a common problem)or a breather has been left off/come loose.either way you will need to drop the tank to have a look.

[bigdogbsc]

Hi,
I have the same problem. The mechanic I used (now clinically depressed) dropped my tank and found the breather pipe was missing! Search everywhere for one about 6months ago and could find one. If you find one let me know.

Cheers,

Neil

[R0B]

have you tried vw heritage.

[TrumpetMan]

How weird is this, just picked up my first camper van today (T25 Air-cooled) and had exactly this problem! so first proper read of the forum and find something useful, unfortunately now does mean weekend spent dropping the fuel tank to see what is what!

[Mocki]

sorry to tell ya, but this isnt weird its very common.....

you *maybe able to have a feel around at the top of the tank and find the offending breather pipe disconnected from the "Y" piece, or the hole where the leak is happening...... have a good looksee before removing the tank, you may save plenty time.....

[TrumpetMan]

sorry to tell ya, but this isnt weird its very common.....

you *maybe able to have a feel around at the top of the tank and find the offending breather pipe disconnected from the "Y" piece, or the hole where the leak is happening...... have a good looksee before removing the tank, you may save plenty time.....

Thanks for the advice much appreciated, think it is gonna be steep learning curve! I foolishly thought maybe I would get away with fixing the van in the first few weeks and start on tarting up the interior! Well was warned that getting a T25 would increase my garage time.

[R0B]

i would try to drain as much petrol from the tank,before dropping it as well.

[BOXY]

Mine was the same when I first got it. I managed to "bodge" up replacements with copper pipe and fuel hose. I did manage to fit it all without dropping the tank, but I've got small hands and lots of patience. Dropping the tank would have been quicker.

[TrumpetMan]

Right might wait until end of weekend and try and get a manual tomorrow and check out where to get parts locally.

[Red Westie]

Hi,
I have the same problem. The mechanic I used (now clinically depressed) dropped my tank and found the breather pipe was missing! Search everywhere for one about 6months ago and could find one. If you find one let me know.

Cheers,

Neil

The most common problem is to find the 5.5mm braided hose has perrished/split and in some cases come off. A meter of the stuff from Baxter @ (Brickwerks) will be enough to replace all 8? lengths (4 on the tank and two on each of the expansion tanks (under the front wheel arches)
There is a ballance pipe that goes across the tank which has two grommets and Y pieces, the Y pieces have been known to break and can be very awkward to refit because of the limited space. It could be the guy didn't properly re-locate and push home one of these Y pieces into it's grommet. It is also made more difficult as the ballance pipe is fixed by a loop to the under body of the van which means the pipe is impossible to re-fit with the tank dropped.
Then of course there is the tank itself...people say they are prone to rotting, well I think they have done pretty well to have lasted 20-30 years and typically you may find metal breather pipes (which are part of the tank) rusted through and also peppering (holes) on top of the tank.
Early metal filler necks also rot, again not suprisingly
But as i said at the beginning, those 8 short pieces of 5.5mm braided hose are 'the most common cause of petrol leaks/smells.

Martin

[TrumpetMan]

This is such a helpful thread for me, I think a fair bit of investigation is going to be needed first, then sort out the parts. Starting to realise it's going to be a labour of love this and my motorbikes are gonna have to sit in the garage on hold for a bit...even though they are easy to work on mustn't get distracted from the van. Thanks for everyone contributing to this tread. My heart did sink 3 hours into ownership seeing petrol pouring out the bottom and now feel a lot more positive.

Kris

[meehaja]

aye, mine does this, i believe my filler pipe is not sealed well, so its ok filling it, but as soon as its full, it pours out. Its coming off the road for a complete rehose of the fuel system, so I'll sort it out then. Worth checking all the hoses as these A/C engines can get hot, and you don't want a fuel leak and a hot engine!

[foxley]

I seemed to have opened a right can of worms here.
Another thing that bothers me is that although I cant detect any petrol leak or smell beneath the overspill point I am concerned the the fuel is slowly evaporating with the obvious reduction in fuel economy and cost.
One reply suggests that this can be repaired and that his van is being rehosed by someone in the Bradford area.
I'd like to know by who and at what cost?

Regards...Frank

[Red Westie]

As far as the fuel tank is concerned worst case senario for tank replacement:
New tank/hose & clips are about £92.00 (Just Kampers/Euro Car Parts/GSF/Brickwerks)
Fitting: about 2 hours I guess (£45 an hour?)

More obviously for replacing other engine fuel lines

Martin