Pipe connecting to plastic "Y" on fuel tank

[JamesS]

A short while ago my local garage did some work on my 1985 T25 that involved dropping the petrol tank. Last night I filled up with fuel for the first time since getting the van back and found fuel spilling out from the top of the tank and all over the forecourt. A quick inspection via the wheel arch shows that the garage has forgotten to reconnect one of the pipes on the fuel tank.

The pipe in question connects onto one of the plastic Ys on top of the tank. It's not the pipe coming from the breather tank in the wheel arch - it's the slightly bigger, stiffer pipe that (I think) connects between the two Ys. Fixing the problem should be really easy - I just need to get the pipe pushed back onto the Y - but the pipe is really stiff and it doesn't feel like it'll go on without a fight!

I'm working mainly by feel and I don't want to snap the plastic Y by being heavy -handed, so before I mess it up I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has any tips, please? Is there a cunning way to reconnect this pipe or do I just need to get on with it?

Cheers!

[croc]

Hi James
You have got the hose arrangement correct, it has one about 1/2inch diameter which goes across and connects to both Y connectors which have one large tube and one small tube.
These connectors push into rubber grommets (shaped rubber rings) in the tank top.
The tube is a hard (nylon ?) and is held in a clip to the crossmember halfway across.
The way I did mine was to put all the tubes together, including those to the breather boxes in the wheel arches and attach the mid clip, then when the tank was in I pushed the Y connectors into the rubber grommets.
You 'may' be able to reach in through wheel arch, ease the Y connector out of the tank, top then work it into the large tube end?? Then push Y connector back into the tank grommet, maybe...
As in your comment, be gentle with the Y connectors, gentle pushing and twisting may do the job.
Make sure both sides have large and small hoses fitted to the Y connectors, side are the same and that they both have their rubber grommet - which remains in the tank incidentally.
This doesn't help you much with the tank in but may help you work out a way to sort this issue.
Perhaps you could report back here when you get sorted ... and how you did it?
Good luck,
jon

[Oldiebut goodie]

The easiest way is to take it back to the garage and get them to finish the job - after all you have paid for them to do it already!

[JamesS]

Thanks croc - that all sounds like good advice. It's especially helpful to know that the plastic Y just pushes into the rubber grommet, as I wasn't certain of that after fumbling around last night. When/if the rain stops I'll try easing the Y out of the grommet and reconnecting the pipe as you suggest. I'll report back when I've got it sorted.

Oldiebut goodie - you're right, and I'll certainly be letting them know that I'm not happy with their work, but not reconnecting this pipe is just one of several problems that they've left me with; to be honest I'm reluctant to let them anywhere near my van again!

Thanks again for the replies.

[JamesS]

Fixed! Thanks croc Your comment about the plastic Y piece just pulling out was exactly what I needed to know.

It was a bit awkward to get to, but with the wheels turned full-lock it's actually not too bad. Once the Y piece was out I managed to reconnect the pipe fairly easily, and a smear of Vaseline helped to get the Y back into the grommet again. The whole job only took a few minutes once I'd worked out the correct body contortion to get both hands in there.

Have just been to the garage and filled up with fuel - no smell and no leak. Bring on the weekend

Cheers!

[croc]

Glad to be of some use!!