fuel tank seals

[mbcamper]

I've tracked down my leaking fuel tank issue down to perished seals. The fuel tank was replaced a couple of years ago but whoever fitted it reused all the old seals so when I fill the tank up to the top it leaks!!!

Anyway I've purchased a complete set of seals and fuel lines to make sure the petrol is kept where it is supposed to be.

My question is about fitting the breather seals (grommets?). Do I just fit them dry or should I be using some adhesive or sealant? I'm guessing dry, but correct me if I'm wrong.

My van is a 1986 1.9 DG.

Thanks

Mark

[mbcamper]

I've come to the conclusion that I should fit them dry.

I'm now in the process of trying to refit the tank. I've had one aborted attempt so far!

I'm assuming you must have the breather tube going over the top of the radiator pipes?

With the breather pipe going over the top of the radiator pipes (which is where is was originally) I have to raise the tank into position to push the pipes into the tank. The only problem is that once the tank is high enough I can't get my hand in there to push them in. As soon as you lower the tank so you can reach in there, the pipes won't reach the tank!!!

Any top tips on how I can put my tank back?

Thanks

Mark

[yetihair]

Hi,
I did this job last weekend. It was a bit of an a***.
Yes the breather pipes need to go over the rad pipes. if they dont they foul the gear linkage. I found that out the hard way!!
Get the tank in position with the straps on, then with a dextrous hand push the breather pipes into the pre installed rubber grommets.
the smaller breathers to the expansion tanks under the wheel arches can be fully installed before putting the tank in.
Good Luck

[fairwynds]

Doing this next week, thanks for tops chaps...

[croc]

HI
Yes fitted dry - or with a little grease is OK.
NOT silicone gasket sealant - this can turn to crumbs on contact with petrol.

The main breather crossover pipe should be held by a centre clip before fitting tank - guess you already got that far!
After you get the tank up into position it is possible to reach in over the front wheels and push the fittings into the tank grommets 'blind' - by feel!
Bit awkward but do-able.

Have you replaced the small hoses to the expansion tanks? Worth doing and another source of leaks and fumes.

Hope you're back on the road soon!

jon

[mbcamper]

Thanks for the info. The technique as you say is to get the tank in position with pre fitted seals, and reach in from the wheel arch to push the pipes into the tank. It was an absolute pain, but I managed to get them in.

Then it was off to the garage to test fill to see if the leak was fixed....and having filled it up I could see petrol dripping from underneath!!!!

So the tank was drained and lowered slightly so I could see where the problem was. It was coming from the sender. Very annoying as I had replaced the seal with a new one.

I think the problem is that the sender plastic is in poor condition and its not pulling down on the seal properly.

So I guess its going to all have to come out so I can fit a new sender...pah!

Is it possible to get a sender with a metal case?

Thanks

Mark

[max and caddy]

The senders are not to expensive as i recall but unless its cracked its more likely the seal..did you apply some grease to the o ring as it may of gone on a bit wonky if its dry.

Only seen plastic ones on 2wd...